Benson Boone

A need to connect authentically drives every aspect of Benson Boone’s artistry. From his unflinchingly honest lyrics to hand-drawn artwork, there is no buffer between him and the listener. That’s particularly true of “GHOST TOWN,” the 19-year-old’s astonishing debut single. A poignant piano ballad about moving on, this is the calling card of a major new talent. Incredibly, “GHOST TOWN” was one of the first songs Boone ever wrote. But the Monroe, Washington native has a habit of being very good at things without realizing it. In fact, his musical talent only emerged by coincidence when he was asked to sing in a friend’s band. Now, he’s making up for lost time. So much so that Boone plays multiple instruments on “GHOST TOWN” including the drums, guitar and piano, which he picked up by ear. The multi-talented teenager even drew the striking cover art. That desire for a genuine, unfiltered connection with fans is why he stepped away from American Idol, despite wowing judges at auditions. Instead, Boone connected with Imagine Dragons frontman Dan Reynolds. “It was our first writing session together when I realized [Benson] is a once in a generation talent,” Reynolds says. While the newcomer is still at the very beginning of his music journey, he’s in it for the long haul. Boone’s goal is to make songs that stand the test of time. With “GHOST TOWN,” the singer/songwriter takes an auspicious first step towards achieving it.