{{short description|British singer-songwriter|bot=PearBOT 5}} {{Use British English|date=October 2017}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}} {{Infobox musical artist |name = Peter Bruntnell |image = |caption = |background = solo_singer |birth_name = |genre = Alternative country, country rock, indie folk, indie rock |birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1962|1|26}} |birth_place =Wellington, New Zealand |origin = Kingston upon Thames, England |death_date = |occupation = Singer-songwriter |years_active = 1995–present |instrument = Vocals, guitar, harmonica, bass, bouzouki, organ, keyboards, synthesiser, drums |label = Almo Sounds, Slow River Records, Rykodisc, Back Porch Records, Loose, Manhaton Records, Domestico Records |website = [https://peterbruntnell.co.uk/ peterbruntnell.co.uk] }} '''Peter Bruntnell''' (born 26 January 1962) is a British singer-songwriter born in Wellington, New Zealand.<ref name="Strong">Strong, Martin C. (2003) ''The Great Indie Discography'', Canongate, {{ISBN|1-84195-335-0}}, p. 649</ref>

==Biography== Bruntnell's family is originally from Wales; His family moved to New Zealand when his father, Owen Bruntnell, was sent to work at the British High Commission in Wellington for four years. They returned to the UK when Bruntnell was a year old, and settled in Kingston upon Thames.<ref name="Triste">"[http://www.triste.co.uk/bruntnell.htm Peter Bruntnell – The Triste Interview]", triste.co.uk. Retrieved 19 September 2010</ref> His great great uncle was Australian politician Albert Bruntnell who emigrated from Wales in 1888. Bruntnell also lived in Vancouver, Canada for a time,<ref name="Strong" /> which is where he met Bill Ritchie who would go on to become Bruntnell’s songwriting partner.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Peter Bruntnell interview - Triste Magazine |url=http://www.triste.co.uk/bruntnell.htm |access-date=2025-11-12 |website=www.triste.co.uk}}</ref>

In the early 1990s, Bruntnell returned to the UK and formed the band Milkwood,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Loose Music:: News |url=https://www.loosemusic.com/page/article-detail/peter-bruntnell-on-buckett-of-brains-cover/ |website=www.loosemusic.com}}</ref> although he soon reverted to solo work and recordings with Matt Backer and Felix Harper as the Peter Bruntnell Combination.<ref name="Strong" /> He was signed by Almo Sounds, who issued his debut album, ''Cannibal'', in 1995.,<ref name="Strong" /> followed in 1997 by his second album, ''Camelot in Smithereens'', working with producer [https://www.petesmithproductions.com/ Pete Smith] on both records.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Record Producer Pete Smith |url=https://www.petesmithproductions.com/ |access-date=2025-11-12 |website=www.petesmithproductions.com}}</ref> NME magazine reviewed Cannibal, suggesting that “his records should be taught in schools” and calling him a “tremendous new talent to treasure”,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Staunton |first=Terry |year=1995 |title=Album Reviews |work=NME}}</ref> with Music Week describing him as “a hidden gem of the music industry - a real talent”.<ref>{{Cite news |year=1995 |title=Album Reviews |work=Music Week}}</ref>

Bruntnell moved to Rykodisc / Slow River Records for his 1999 album ''Normal for Bridgwater''.<ref name="Strong" /> The album was highly recommended by VH1's Bill Flanagan<ref>Flanagan, Bill (2001) "[https://www.cbsnews.com/news/suggested-sounds-of-summer/ Suggested Sounds of Summer]", CBS, 10 June 2001. Retrieved 19 September 2010</ref> and by ''Rolling Stone''{{'}}s John Luerssen,<ref>"[https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/everclear/articles/story/5921257/everclear_nutty_professor_ii_lead_new_releases Everclear, "Nutty Professor II" Lead New Releases]{{dead link|date=August 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}", ''Rolling Stone''</ref> helping to establish Bruntnell with American audiences.<ref name="Ind">"[https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/album-peter-bruntnell-599763.html Album: Peter Bruntnell ''Ends Of The Earth'']{{dead link|date=August 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}", ''The Independent'', 7 March 2003. Retrieved 19 September 2010</ref> The album was recorded with the help of musicians from Son Volt, a band with whom he has toured regularly in the United States<ref>Armonaitis, Dan (2009) "[http://www.goupstate.com/article/20091119/ARTICLES/911191032/1097 Son Volt kicks up some 'Dust' and moves forward]", GoUpstate.com, 19 November 2009. Retrieved 19 September 2010</ref><ref name="Maffeo">Maffeo, Lois (2000) "[https://books.google.com/books?id=0ioEAAAAMBAJ&dq=%22peter+bruntnell%22&pg=PA48 Peter Bruntnell ''Normal for Bridgwater'']", ''CMJ New Music Monthly'', September 2000. Retrieved 19 September 2010</ref> and continues to collaborate with today.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=sayitwithgarageflowers |date=2024-10-04 |title='This was the hardest record I've ever made…' |url=https://sayitwithgarageflowers.com/2024/10/04/this-was-the-hardest-record-ive-ever-made/ |access-date=2025-11-12 |website=Say It With Garage Flowers |language=en}}</ref>

In 2003 Bruntnell signed to British independent record label Loose in Europe and Back Porch Records in the US for the release of ''Ends Of The Earth''.<ref>{{Citation |title=Peter Bruntnell - Ends Of The Earth |date=2003 |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/7040859-Peter-Bruntnell-Ends-Of-The-Earth |access-date=2025-11-12 |language=en}}</ref> The following year, Loose released ''Played Out'' - a compilation of the first four records, with the songs having been re-recorded as acoustic versions with guitarist James Walbourne. Loose released two further albums - ''Ghost In A Spitfire'' in 2005,<ref>{{Citation |title=Peter Bruntnell - Ghost In A Spitfire |date=2005 |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/5600653-Peter-Bruntnell-Ghost-In-A-Spitfire |access-date=2025-11-12 |language=en}}</ref> followed by ''Peter And The Murder Of Crows'' in 2008.<ref>{{Citation |title=Peter Bruntnell - Peter And The Murder Of Crows |date=2008 |url=https://www.discogs.com/master/1197224-Peter-Bruntnell-Peter-And-The-Murder-Of-Crows |access-date=2025-11-12 |language=en}}</ref>

Following that, Bruntnell went on to set up his own ''Domestico Records'' label, through which he released 2011’s ''Black Mountain U.F.O.'', with the Daily Mirror writing in their review, “Too talented to stay the property of an avid cult, his sparky humour and uniquely British perspective are evident in the lushly-attended tunes here”.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Album Reviews |publication-date=2011}}</ref>

In 2013, Loose released Bruntnell's Retrospective album, featuring music from all of his albums to date. The album was preceded by a single and accompanying video of a re-recording of the song "Played Out",<ref name="Peter Bruntnell announces career-spanning retrospective, re-records classic track with Rumer">{{Cite web|url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/latest-news/peter-bruntnell-rumer-played-out-124114|title=Peter Bruntnell announces career-spanning retrospective, re-records classic track with Rumer|website=The Line of Best Fit|accessdate=16 July 2020}}</ref> featuring Rumer. The Line of Best Fit shared the song, stating that it “showcases just one of the many reasons why Bruntnell is still – after twenty years – one of Britain’s finest songwriters.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Peter Bruntnell and Rumer perform new version of classic song 'Played Out' |url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/latest-news/peter-bruntnell-rumer-played-out-124114 |access-date=2025-11-12 |website=The Line of Best Fit |language=en-US}}</ref>”

Bruntnell once again joined forces with Loose in 2020 to release a 21st anniversary vinyl edition of ''Normal For Bridgwater'' for Record Store Day 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Underwood |first=Mark |date=2020-02-27 |title=Peter Bruntnell's “Normal For Bridgewater” turns 21 |url=https://americana-uk.com/peter-bruntnells-normal-for-bridgewater-turns-21 |access-date=2025-11-12 |website=Americana UK |language=en-GB}}</ref>

Bruntnell continues to release records through his own ''Domestico Records'', including ''Nos Da Comrade'' (2015),<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last=Batey |first=Angus |date=2016-03-22 |title=Cult heroes: Peter Bruntnell – the alt-country genius from Surrey |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2016/mar/22/cult-heroes-peter-bruntnell-british-alt-country |access-date=2025-11-12 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> ''King of Madrid'' (2019),<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kerr |first=Paul |date=2016-04-03 |title=Peter Bruntnell. Nos Da Comrade. Domestico Records |url=https://paulkerr.wordpress.com/2016/04/03/peter-bruntnell-nos-da-comrade-domestico-records/ |access-date=2025-11-12 |website=Blabber 'n' Smoke |language=en}}</ref> the pandemic-era solo<ref name="hifiplus.com">{{Cite web |title=Peter Bruntnell: Houdini and the Sucker Punch |url=https://hifiplus.com/articles/peter-bruntnell-houdini-and-the-sucker-punch/ |access-date=2025-11-12 |website=hi-fi+ |language=en-US}}</ref> album ''Journey To The Sun'' (2021)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Clayton-Lea |first=Tony |title=Peter Bruntnell: Journey to the Sun review – Lush songs of human kindness |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/music/peter-bruntnell-journey-to-the-sun-review-lush-songs-of-human-kindness-1.4586651 |access-date=2025-11-12 |website=The Irish Times |language=en}}</ref> and most recently, 2024’s ''Houdini And The Sucker Punch''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-10-03 |title=Peter Bruntnell – Houdini and the Sucker Punch (Album Review) |url=https://klofmag.com/2024/10/peter-bruntnell-houdini-and-the-sucker-punch/ |access-date=2025-11-12 |website=KLOF Mag |language=en-GB}}</ref>

==Critical acclaim== Bruntnell has consistently received critical acclaim for his work, throughout his career,<ref name=":2" /> with journalists frequently referring to him as being underrated<ref>{{Cite web |last=Davidson |first=Merric |date=2014-09-12 |title=Peter Bruntnell |url=https://www.toppermost.co.uk/bruntnell-peter/ |access-date=2025-11-12 |website=Toppermost |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hannam |first=Sean |date=2022-02-08 |title=Small Venue Heroes: Peter Bruntnell |url=https://americana-uk.com/small-venue-heroes-peter-bruntnell |access-date=2025-11-12 |website=Americana UK |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Clayton-Lea |first=Tony |title=Peter Bruntnell: Retrospective |url=https://irishtimes-irishtimes.cdn.zephr.com/culture/music/peter-bruntnell-retrospective-1.1494011 |access-date=2025-11-12 |website=The Irish Times |language=en}}</ref> and lamenting the fact that he has not achieved wider recognition for his work.<ref name=":3">{{Cite book |url=http://archive.org/details/mojo-september-2021 |title=Mojo - September 2021}}</ref><ref name="hifiplus.com"/><ref name=":2" /> His albums are frequently included in [https://www.albumoftheyear.org/lists.php Best of Year lists], compiled by both journalists<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bruntnell |first=Peter |date=2025-06-30 |title=Press and end of year accolades for Houdini And The Sucker Punch! |url=https://peterbruntnell.co.uk/houdini-end-of-year-lists/ |access-date=2025-11-12 |website=Peter Bruntnell |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Peter Bruntnell - Nos Da Comrade |url=https://www.albumoftheyear.org/album/57833-peter-bruntnell-nos-da-comrade.php |access-date=2025-11-12 |website=Album of The Year |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Peter Bruntnell - Journey to the Sun |url=https://www.albumoftheyear.org/album/381627-peter-bruntnell-journey-to-the-sun.php |access-date=2025-11-12 |website=Album of The Year |language=en}}</ref> and readers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Whitfield |first=Mark |date=2024-12-23 |title=Here are the results of the Americana UK Readers’ Poll 2024 |url=https://americana-uk.com/here-are-the-results-of-the-americana-uk-readers-poll-2024 |access-date=2025-11-12 |website=Americana UK |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Peter Bruntnell |url=https://www.besteveralbums.com/thechart.php?b=11967 |access-date=2025-11-12 |website=BestEverAlbums.com |language=en}}</ref>

The Guardian newspaper wrote an article referring to Bruntnell as a “cult hero” and an “alt-country genius”, describing his catalogue as being “a canon of classically constructed, melodically rich, lyrically ingenious and emotionally, intellectually affecting songs that bears comparison with the all-time greats” and that “as a writer he has few real peers.”<ref name=":2" /> Sentiments which have been echoed by numerous publications throughout his career.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Day |first=Del |date=2019-03-29 |title=Van Life – Peter Bruntnell |url=https://americana-uk.com/van-life-peter-bruntnell |access-date=2025-11-12 |website=Americana UK |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Peter Bruntnell - Shop |url=https://peterbruntnell.co.uk/shop/ |access-date=2025-11-12 |website=Peter Bruntnell |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Averill |first=Stephen |date=2024-10-23 |title=Peter Bruntnell Interview |url=https://www.lonesomehighway.com/interviewsold/2024/10/23/peter-bruntnell-interview |access-date=2025-11-12 |website=Lonesome Highway |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kerr |first=Paul |date=2021-12-31 |title=Peter Bruntnell |url=https://paulkerr.wordpress.com/tag/peter-bruntnell/ |access-date=2025-11-12 |website=Blabber 'n' Smoke |language=en}}</ref>

==Musical style== Bruntnell's music is often referred to as Americana, although it has also been described as country rock, alternative country, psychedelic and indie rock.<ref name="Maffeo" /><ref name="Sweeting">Sweeting, Adam (2003) "[https://www.theguardian.com/music/2003/apr/26/artsfeatures.popandrock2 Peter Bruntnell Borderline, London]", ''The Guardian'', 26 April 2003. Retrieved 19 September 2010</ref><ref name="Crowley">Crowley, Michael (2002) "Peter Bruntnell: No Mad Dogs For an Alt-Country Englishman", ''The Washington Post'', 18 September 2002, p. C5</ref><ref name="Wilson">Wilson, MacKenzie "[{{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p203447/biography|pure_url=yes}} The Peter Bruntnell Combination Biography]", AllMusic. Retrieved 19 September 2010</ref><ref name=":2" /><ref name=":0" />

==Discography== ===Albums=== * ''Cannibal'' (1995), Almo Sounds (as "The Peter Bruntnell Combination") * ''Camelot in Smithereens'' (1997), Almo Sounds * ''Normal for Bridgwater'' (1999), Slow River Records * ''Ends of the Earth'' (2002), Back Porch Records, Loose/Vinyl Junkie * ''Played Out'' (2004), Loose/Vinyl Junkie * ''Ghost in a Spitfire'' (2005), Loose/Vinyl Junkie * ''Peter and the Murder of Crows'' (2008), Loose * ''Black Mountain U.F.O.'' (2011), Manhaton Records * ''Ringo Woz Ere'' (2012), Domestico Records * ''Retrospective'' (2013), Loose * ''Nos Da Comrade'' (2016), Domestico Records * ''Live in the Firth'' (2017), Domestico Records * ''King of Madrid'' (2019), Domestico Records * ''Journey To The Sun'' (2021), Domestico Records * ''Houdini and the Sucker Punch'' (2024), Domestico Records

===Singles=== *"I Will, I Won't" (1995), Almo Sounds (as "The Peter Bruntnell Combination") *"Astronaut" (1996), Almo Sounds (as "The Peter Bruntnell Combination") *"Have You Seen That Girl Again" (1997), Almo Sounds *"Camelot in Smithereens" (1997), Almo Sounds *"Saturday Sam" (1997), Almo Sounds *"By the Time My Head Gets to Phoenix" (1999), Slow River Records, Rykodisk *"Played Out (featuring Rumer)" (2013), Loose

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== * [https://peterbruntnell.co.uk/ Official website] <!-- per WP:ELMINOFFICIAL, choose one official website only -->

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bruntnell, Peter}} Category:1962 births Category:Living people Category:English male singer-songwriters Category:English singer-songwriters