Dexter Bentley

South Londoners deXter Bentley host the weekly Hello Goodbye show on London’s art radio station Resonance FM where they provide a platform for underground performers to play live radio sessions. They also run live nights at a number of South London venues. When not doing all that they mix acoustic instruments with observational songs marked by the very English tenor of Richard Bentley. Guitarist Joss Cope will be known to readers of brother Julian’s Head On and Repossessed autobiogs.

deXter Bentley's closest reference points musically are blues and folk music, though sung with a distinct English twang. With a rather casual attitude towards what is fashionable, their lyrics are compelling analyses of everyday tragedies like filling out your tax return, being stuck in a stale relationship or taking a girl who hogs the candy floss to the beach. Their debut album "In Order Alphabetical" is a great big selection box of lovely treats - at one extreme there is the pared-down rhythmic chant of "Cry Now", with its thrilling, booming group vocal lines, and at the other there is "Fishtank", a gorgeous drone track that sounds like an acoustic My Bloody Valentine. In between there are all the harmoniums, kazoos, toy accordions and agitated Scottish poets that one could wish for.

Richard Bentley – vocals, acoustic guitar.  Ric Clark – mandolin/harmonica/acoustic bass. Joss Cope – acoustic/electric guitar/keys/vocals. Ean Ravenscroft – drums/percussion/vocals.