I am proud to announce that my new EP titled Naked is NOW ONSALE. It's three diverse songs that describe the evolution of opening your mind/heart and body. Take a listen on Myspace and then buy yourself a copy for less than $3. Keep in mind that all revenue from sales will go directly to the HCBMAR Fund. The Help Chris Bendt Make A Record Fund is purely meant to let you know that your purchase money is going directly to producing a full length album. How awesome does that sound!!! It is my dream to be able to create a full length concept album that goes deeper and allows me to showcase my writing skills that much more.

If you are sold on purchasing the new Naked EP just click on the link below:
Naked EP

Keep an eye on the Naked tour schedule and I promise to see you all soon.

Chris Bendt

Hello All,

As some of you may know, I was asked by the Obama team to donate musical tracks for the presidential campaign. It was an awesome privilege to be invited to write music/songs for the Obama Presidential campaign, and I will treasure it for the rest of my life.

Check out the two songs that I wrote for the campaign:

Obama Obama Obama (on my profile)

Vote Obama

There are some very amazing people out there, and this review proves that there are still soul searchers out there.

Hi Chris,

I just listened to your songs and felt a chill down my spine, a good chill. I liked your lyrics on Rain Me Down where you say "have a seat and a drink, not to think. Like this world, Falling down in this this infinite world. (mind opening lyrics) Yes I want to figure out who the hell I am even though I need to hide my pain with substances or escaping inside of my own head. Nice vocal presentation as well. I can definitely hear the haunting echoes of Jeff Buckley in some of your singing.

On Being Free I wanted to hear your voice louder on some of the parts. I felt like sometimes the instruments over powered your vocals, but then again maybe that' the way the song is supposed to sound.

I liked Refer to We. First thing that came to me was scattered thoughts flying through the universe, which is how I'm always thinking. Yet scattered thoughts come full circle and end up making sense. I can definitely relate to your lyrics.

On Anything Else I liked the way the instruments sounded disconnected from your sweet voice. You show a wide range of song arrangement.

Listening to your music makes me think about my life and my world. mY love and hate relationship for the universe and the obstacles I encounter to find my My purpose on the planet. I'm a Pisces and my feet are firlmy planted in the air.

When I read your bio I thought I was reading about my own existence. My escape from reality was pot. My nickname was Permagrin Kim. But underneath that smile was the hidden pain of not wanting to face reality. Yet that was my reality. Sorry to keep going on. You inspire me. : )

~Anonymous

 

The following is a review given by Rootstime, an online radio station in Belgium dedicated to roots music:

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 Reviewed in Dutch, but there is a loose english translation below.

 

 

CHRIS BENDT
BEING FREE (EP)
Website - Myspace
Mail : bendtmusic@yahoo.com
Label : eigen beheer
CD-Baby

 

Chris Bendt werd geboren in St. Paul, Minnesota en woonde als kind van gescheiden ouders het overgrote deel van zijn leven in Washington. Zijn vader was een gepassioneerde muzikant en van hem erfde Chris Bendt dan ook op vrij jonge leeftijd al de microbe voor het spelen van muziek en het verzorgen van live optredens. Twee popalbums veranderden in de jaren negentig zijn muzikale ambities en de door hem te volgen muziekrichting, namelijk "OK Computer" van Radiohead en "Burn To Shine" van Ben Harper. Toen hij afstudeerde verhuisde Chris Bendt naar Californië en begon er in een grote multinational te werken. Ne enige tijd op kantoor besefte hij dat zijn toekomst in de muziek lag. Hij zegde zijn job op en begon in een kleine studio bij hem thuis in Santa Monica, Los Angeles liedjes te componeren, te spelen en op te nemen. Het resultaat van al dat werk is een eerste ep-tje met de titel "Being Free". Als singer-songwriter voegt hij elementen van de soulmuziek toe aan zijn gepassioneerde en tekstueel knappe songs, die gaan over de dingen die hem in zijn dagelijkse leven overkomen, zijn innerlijke strijd voor vrijheid, de hoge verwachtingen van zijn vader en over zijn turbulente liefdesleven. Muzikaal bevindt Chris Bendt zich in dezelfde stroming als enkele bekende liedjesschrijvers zoals Damien Rice, Jeff Buckley en Ben Harper. Hij bespeelt alle instrumenten zelf op de vijf voornamelijk akoestisch gebrachte nummers die op "Being Free" zijn terug te vinden. De klagerige titelsong is een eerste stukje emotionele blootgeving, gevolgd door "Rain Me Down", het passievolle en trieste "Never Said Goodbye" en "Anything Else". In de laatste song "Refer To We" verhaalt hij over een eenzame jongen die verlangt naar gezelschap en vriendschap, zich tegelijkertijd afvragend of er wel een goede god bestaat die het welzijn van de mensen nastreeft. Chris Bendt is duidelijk nog op zoek naar de betekenis van het leven en probeert die momenteel via zijn liedjes te vinden. We wensen hem hierbij alvast alle succes toe.
(valsam)

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 As a singer-songwriter, he adds elements of the soulmuziek to his passionate and lyrically clever songs, which deal with the things in his daily working lifetime, his inner struggle for freedom, the high expectations of his father and his turbulent love life. Musically is Chris Bendt is in the same flow as some liedjesschrijvers known as Damien Rice, Jeff Buckley and Ben Harper. He plays all the instruments himself on the five predominantly acoustic songs that put on "Being Free" can be found. The klagerige title is a bit emotional blootgeving first, followed by "Rain Me Down", the passionate and sad "Never Said Goodbye" and "Anything Else". In the last song "To Refer We" he tells about a lonely boy who calls to the company and friendship, the same time afvragend whether there is a good god exists that the welfare of the people pursuing. Chris Bendt is clearly still looking for the meaning of life and tries through its songs that are currently available. We wish him every success in this already.
(Valsam)

I wanted to take a moment to thank everyone for the wonderful reviews and personal messages I have received since the release of my debut EP entitle Being Free. Here are a few that really touched my heart. If you would like to have your name included, please message me.

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I really like what your doing you have a great voice and guitar skills
Come to Toronto and I will defiantly check you out!
My favorite song is 'rain me down'
It's really good keep up with the good work.

Peace and love,

Anonymous Fan
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i like blues and indie stuff, so i like ur sound
:]
calming
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Your show was great. Was inpired on my way home and wrote a new poem. Sent it to fanclub@chrisbendt.com.
~anonymous
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Believe it or not I did check out your music on your myspace page. Usually do not open e-mails like this, especially from various bands, cause I tend to get a ton of spam on myspace. For what ever reason I did check out your page, and I do really like your music. It is really good. Sent you a friend request. Wish you the best of luck in all that you pursue. Make sure to keep it real, and keep on keepin on.
~Anonymous
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It's a good song. I love it.
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so i did check out your profile and your music is pretty good. i really like the lyrics to your songs. and its mellow too. good stuff. kepp it up man. Rock onward
~Anonymous
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