Romani Beau • Into The Night

I was recently contacted by a brand new artist, which is always thrilling. There is something so wonderful about the anticipation of hearing a new voice that just really excites me. So I was given the link to listen to the music of Romani Beau, and given a bit of information about him. Romani is from Kent, England, and feels the beauty of the area has influenced his music. A recent graduate from the Academy of Contemporary Music, Romani hopes to bring together the influences of Folk and Country music to make up his sound. He also looks to incorporate his live experience as a member of the LGBT community in his music, which always piques my interest.

When I first heard the news single, "Into The Night", there was no denying the romantic influences of the English Countryside as well as British poets like Percy Bysshe Shelley and John Keats. There is a strong organic feel to the Folk he makes, which somehow manages to own a 19th Century feel with a current veneer. There is a wonderful lush feel, especially in the chorus. I can only tell you 30 seconds in to my first listen, I was charmed and delighted, already wondering when and album would be available. I hope you enjoy "Into The Night" as well!

I truly find his music to be wonderfully fresh, a bold sound of Roots music, taking a traditional approach to Folk music with a strong Country influence. If Emmylou Harris and Woody Guthrie has a child that was raised alongside Percy Bysshe Shelley , it would be Beau. And with that combination, what is not to like? You can purchase "Into the Night" on Bandcamp. To learn more about Romani Beau, you can visit his official website. You can also 'like' him on Facebook, and 'follow' him on Twitter. He also wrote a blog about "Into The Night", which you can find here.

Worth Another Listen - Benny Mardones

Benny Mardones, then and now.

In 1980, an unknown songwriter named Benny Mardones shot up the Billboard charts with a Top 20 hit, Into The Night. The song was all over the airwaves, and the single sold well. It was a favorite at dances and seemed like a popular 'make out' song. Mardones' raspy voice was perfect for the power ballad. Unfortunately, Mardones only found himself on the charts one other time, and that is in 1989 when a radio DJ decided to do a 'Where Are They Now' segment on him, and once again his only hit, Into The Night, hit the charts once again. This seemed to be a movement across the country, and it again hit the Billboard Top 20.



This left Mardones in an interesting position. He falls decidedly into the 'One Hit Wonder' category, with just one song on the charts, yet he had two hits with that one song, nine years apart. There are estimates that Into The Night has been played on the radio more than 4 and a half million times. It appears Mardones still tours, and recently released a new album, Let's Hear It For Love. To find out what Benny has been up to, click here.