About Me
UK based singer-songwriter and master of the catchy pop tune and lyric, Will Kevans released ‘Dialling Tone’ on 21st October, the first single from his debut solo album. ‘Dialling Tone’ recently won Will an award in the prestigious ‘International Songwriting Competition’. It has also been featured on a compilation album released by Universal alongside artists such as James Morrison, the Goo Goo Dolls and Keane.
His unique Nashville-influenced brand of hooky songs have given this performer quite a reputation on the live circuit where he’s a regular at venues such as The Bedford. He was described by one critic as being ‘very Ian McNabb meets Squeeze’.
Will has just returned from a 2 week tour of New York and surrounding areas, including a CMJ 2008 Showcase, where he was described as a “British raconteur who fashions crafty acoustic pop and sing along anthems”. He is getting rotational play on US college radio going straight to no 17 on VIC top 30 and in at no 6 on KASB's top 30.
The names associated with his debut solo album ‘Weekend Millionaire’ (due for release early in 2008) speak for themselves. He is currently working with the likes of producers Andy Hughes (The Orb, Basement Jaxx), Ian Grimble (Travis, Manic Street Preachers) and Gavin Monaghan (The Editors, Ryan Adams, The Twang). The album will also feature slide guitar legend Al Perkins who has performed with the likes of Gram Parsons, The Eagles, Bob Dylan and Emmylou Harris. Guest vocals come from former Beautiful South songstress Alison Wheeler whilst keyboard skills are provided by James Blunt’s pianist Paul Beard. Further guitar excellence is supplied by ex Steely Dan and Doobie Brothers guitarist Elliot Randall, whose guitar solo on ‘Reelin’ in the Years’ has entered the annuls of rock history.
Artwork for both single and album comes from Will’s wife Annie Kevans, a much lauded and well respected up and coming artist and who’s entire collection of paintings ‘Boys’ was bought by Charles Saatchi in 2004. Annie has received excellent press and has been featured in the Independent, Sunday Times, Harpers Bazaar, Have I Got News For You and the Evening Standard to name a few. Annie was also interviewed by BBC London News and by Jono Coleman and JoAnne Good on BBC London Radio. The image used for the single cover had to be cropped, as iTunes would not allow the full image (including nipples) to be used.
Will’s song ‘Sand Makes a Pearl’ went to number 2 in the German mp3 charts Netzparade and he has also been the featured artist of the month on both the Hit Quarters and Sonicbids websites. His other achievements include making it to the semi-finals of the 2005 International Song Competition with ‘Out There’ which also won him the ‘Song of the Year’ competition. He was subsequently chosen to represent the ISC in both Delaware and Seattle.
As well as playing at last year’s North by North East music conference in Toronto where he was voted ‘Best Act of the Festival’, Will has also performed numerous showcases at Popkomm in Berlin, Canadian Music Week, South by South West, Brighton’s Great Escape Festival and at this year’s North By North-East music conference where he received a rapturous response. Whilst there, he played a support slot to Ron Sexsmith.
Will’s no stranger to radio either. Last year, the ex-Junk TV front man released ‘Out There’ on Badass Records to much critical acclaim. The single has since been played extensively on Radio 1’s Chris Moyles and Jo Whiley shows as well as receiving numerous other plays on stations such as Virgin, Kiss FM and Capital Gold. Will’s song ‘London Fields’ was also a finalist in BBC London’s 2012 Anthem where he received numerous plays on The Robert Elms Show.
Here’s what the critics say about Will:-
‘Messing About At the Weekend’ is a classy calling card. The bluesy guitar and adventurous use of a string quartet marks it out’
MOJO MAGAZINE
‘Promising up and coming songsmith/performer, Kevans purveys his stylish and accomplished, rootsy, pop influenced rock. His sensitive and mature talent’
TIME OUT
‘Catchy debut single’
SUNDAY TIMES
