Jack Penate

Jack Fabian Peñate (born 2 September 1984, Blackheath, London; IPA: [pənˈjɑːti]) is an English musician and singer-songwriter of Spanish descent, signed to XL Recordings. He attended Alleyn's School[1] and spent a year at University College London studying Ancient World Studies[citation needed] before dropping-out to pursue his musical career. He performs with friends and band members Joel Porter (bass), Thomas Lightfoot (Keys), and Alex Robins (drums).

Peñate made his way up the ranks of the club and bar scene of London before recently being signed by record label XL Recordings. Peñate released his first promo single in October 2006, "Second Minute or Hour" along with its b-side track, "Got My Favourite". This single was released by the record label Young Turks (Record Label), as a 1000-only limited 7 inch, each containing a different Polaroid photograph, taken of Peñate. And in April 2007 he released the "Spit At Stars EP". As well as the title track, this featured "My Yvonne", "Cold Thin Line" and a cover of Darondo Pulliam and Al Turner's "Didn't I". The CD edition of the EP also included the first song he ever wrote called "Jack Of All Trades" which he wrote with his band at school "Jack's Basement". He has appeared on XFM radio's "Xposure" and his first two singles were both Single of the Week on Radio 1 DJ Zane Lowe's show.

On 10 August 2007 he announced that his album would be released on 1 October and be titled Matinée. However, on 7 September, this date was pushed back to 8 October, because more time was needed to "finish off all the bits of artwork for the inside cover." Peñate also stated that "I've been told it's now in production so hopefully there won't be any more delays." [2]

Despite much pre-album publicity, the album met with mixed reviews including a 5/10 from the NME who had featured Penate on their cover in a previous month. However, the album did debut at number seven in the UK album charts. [3]