Getting his start at London open mics, Will Varley now opens for the likes of The Proclaimers and Frank Turner, as well as having his own headlining tours and appearances at festivals. Noted for producing âgemsâ of records and shows that immerse the audience in his world of music and discourse, I was excited to have a chat with him about aliens, social justice and more!
When did you know that music is what you wanted to pursue?
I can’t remember. I’ve always written stupid little songs and poems since I was a kid, and I can’t remember a version of myself that didn’t. There’s been a lot of moments that have helped decide which direction I’ve gone in but I have no idea when I started pursuing music in general. If you mean when did i start pursuing it as ‘a career’ the answer is I’m still not sure about whether it’s what I want to do when I grow up.
If you weren’t doing music, what do you think you’d do?
I’d probably be trying to make films, I’ve always been interested in that process. I try to make my own music videos as much as I can. One day I would love to direct a feature film. It could be about a seagull the size of a lion who becomes a virtuoso jazz saxophonist but is plagued with anxiety. There could be some kind of a love interest in there too.
If you could perform with any musician, dead or alive, who would it be?
Elvis
Are there any songs or albums you often found yourself listening to while creating Kingsdown Sundown?
Not really. I don’t listen to much music when I’m writing songs. Having said that, I recorded it in the basement of a pub by the sea, and there was a fairground set-up on the green across the road. I’m pretty sure some of the melodies on the record came from the sound of the circus…
Which song on the album is most different to everything else you’ve done?
Tough question. The whole album feels a little bit different somehow. I’d say ‘When She Wakes Up’ is quite ambitious. It’s six and a half minutes long and doesn’t really have a chorus. Perfect for radio huh?
Is it important for musicians to take a stand and comment on injustices occurring in the world? Should they boycott performing in places that propagate such injustices?
I can’t say what other musicians should and shouldn’t do. Different things are important to different people. I just write songs about how I feel- I don’t set out to make a stand because I feel like I have a duty to. I just do it because it makes me feel better, and if it makes other people feel better then that’s great. In term of boycotting places, I don’t know how much that helps. Sometimes those places you might be boycotting are the places where your music and message could have the most impact.
If aliens arrived on earth, what would be the first song you showed them?
I wouldn’t show them a song. I’d teach them to play the harmonica and then I’d jam with them all night long, drinking Corona with lime and smoking cigars. Then in the morning we’d get a taxi to a pizza place and I’d show the alien all about Margaritas and Hawaiians.
Varley takes to Rescue Rooms in Nottingham on November 11th, providing an exciting opportunity to experience new material from âKingsdown Sundownâ and older classics. Tickets can be found here: http://www.rescuerooms.com/gig-guide/1786/will-varley
âKingsdown Sundownâ, released on November 4th, is available now for preorder: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/kingsdown-sundown/id1153682773?ign-mpt=uo%3D4
And you can check out the video for âTo Build A Wallâ from âKingsdown Sundownâ now:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rP079ROaEtM
Who knows, maybe some of the aforementioned aliens will also be present at the gig.
Edited by: Jess Greaney
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Sources
http://conversationsabouther.net/will-varley-announces-may-2015-uk-tour-…
http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/clara-cullen/will-varley_b_5539498.html?