At the beginning of the year, Benton Paul had a few hundred plays per song on his MySpace. After Joe Jonas of the Jonas Brothers mentioned Benton’s song “I Only See You” during a live video chat in January, those hundred plays per song quickly turned into thousands. Since then, Benton’s fan base has continued to grow both locally and nationally. He just got off the road with “American Idol” Finalist Brooke White and is currently touring with another “Idol” Finalist, David Archuleta.“[David’s] a nice guy and happens to be from Utah so we have things in common, and we’ve had chances to hang out and go out to shows together and co-write a little bit. He’s a real solid guy. It feels good to be going out on the road with somebody who has good morals and is a good person.”
Besides touring, Benton has been working on his second album. He recently released a three song EP preview of the second album on iTunes and had a track featured as an “iTunes discovery download” for a week, getting over 250,000 downloads.
THE SAME SEVEN QUESTIONS FOR BENTON PAULWho or what inspires you?
Musically, I look to bands from the UK. Coldplay, Jamie Cullum, Aqualung, The Beatles, Sting, Eric Clapton, Muse, the list goes on. Personally, I look to family, close friends, and God for inspiration on that front.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I'd have a massive set of biceps, triceps, and quadriceps to where people would look at me and think... "How does he still play the guitar without breaking it?"
What makes you happy?Super Mario, Wes Anderson films, and ice cream.
What is your greatest fear?
Losing my loved ones unexpectedly.
What makes you laugh?
Children under 3, my high school years, and The Office (tv show).
Who are you listening to right now?Mika's new record, John Mayer's new record, Landon Pigg's new record, Brandi Carlile's new record, Muse's new record and The Beatles' old record.
What fictional character do you identify with most?
Ender Wiggin from Ender's Game (the book). Not sure if it's that I really identify with him, or that I really want to be him... I can't tell.
Check out Benton's music here and here. And Tweet with him here.
Posted by Spencer Flanagan
Photographs by Matt Clayton
8 notes in the margin:
I saw Benton live a few nights ago and honestly seeing how truly talented he is is absolutaly amazing. hats off to him. hes amazing one of my major idols.
Ender's game is one of my most favorite book too. :) Anyway, saw Benton...6 times this year. He always puts on a good show. Very talented.
BENTON IS AWESOME!!! Saw him at the Brooke White and Michael Johns tour in Seattle!!.. Love the way he gets close to his fans and even arranges to meet with them at his own merchant shop!.. Great person!! Great talent!!
Been a fan of Benton's for a couple of years now!! I'm so glad his music is finally getting out there! So talented!!
Benton Paul is amazing! I absolutely love him and his music! Thanks for doing a post on my favorite artist!
Benton Paul is one of the best artists out there. I'm so happy he is getting out there and doing things. Although, I do miss all his shows being in Utah.
I saw Benton when I went to an Archuleta concert and I have to say that he is one of the few opening acts I have seen in my life that I actually enjoyed. Moon and Run are great songs but the one that stood out to me the most was Still, Still, Still. I REALLY wish I had recorded him singing it (stupid security).
Hey! I went to Jr High/High School with him. I didn't even know he sang. Definitely going to check his music out.
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