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This just in —

Los Angeles-based singer/songwriter Benny Marchant –former lead singer of The Kings Royal–will release his debut solo EP, Conversations Missed, on September 28 via his own imprint, Marina Records. Produced by Joe Chiccarelli (Radiohead, White Stripes), Conversations Missed is a four-track tour into the spirit of a musician unafraid to explore his feelings–and a sample of what’s to come on early 2011’s Cold Weather full-length album–that leaves the listener wanting more of Marchant’s intimate, tuneful insights.

Painting the stages of love and loss, the songs “Cold Weather,” “Been Too Long,”  “A Better Way” and two versions of the title track, “Conversations Missed,” introduce Marchant’s haunting alternative folk-rock. It’s a tantalizing collection by an electric troubadour, the sound of a hopeful heart that’s bruised but still beating.

The video for the title track and lead single “Conversations Missed”–now arriving at radio–was directed by Alan Tanner (Sea Wolf, Jenny Lewis, M. Ward). In an early review, Brian Willett of Bloginity.com said the video “shows off why so many are becoming absorbed in the Marchant movement–it’s deceptively simple-looking, original and infectious–just like the song itself.” (9/3/10)  Currently featured on AOL Music, the video can be seen here: http://music.aol.com/video/conversations-missed/benny-marchant/bc:590935015001.

All Marchant’s songs confront not just his, but all of our human awakenings and growth–whether it’s the determined positivity of the lonely man in “Conversations Missed,” who makes himself reach for light in his darkness; “Been Too Long”’s realization that it’s finally right to get out of a bad situation, its plaintive sound emphasized by pedal steel guitar; the exultation of allowing yourself to give and receive love in the breezy “Cold Weather”; and the wake-up call of the vibrato cello in “A Better Way”’s reminder that yes, you can recover from a broken heart–and now’s the time to start.

“For me, the best part about recording Conversations Missed as a solo artist was being able to be vulnerable,” says Marchant. “When I was in bands and in the studio I used to hide some of my soul behind the music and sounds. Now I’m not trying to fit in with anyone else but me–a new me.”

Look for show dates in the Los Angeles area to be announced shortly and for an early listen of Conversations Missed visit: http://www.idesignprod.com/bennymarchant_audio/.