Described as a straight talking acoustic troubadour and as suburban country…Will Kevans is a UK-based singer-songwriter and master of the catchy pop tune and lyric. His song, ‘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 Water Rats, The Borderline and The Fly. He was described by one critic as being ‘Ian McNabb meets Squeeze’. Will is very much one of the new breed of singer-songwriters on the new folk acoustic circuit. His heartfelt and catchy songs reflect life’s experience and the human condition. The thinking man’s Johnny Cash by way of Nick Lowe. Will has just signed to UK publisher Eaton Music and has signed a US Album deal with Wildflower Records. The label belongs to the seminal American folk artist of the 60s and 70s Judy Collins.
The names associated with his debut solo album ‘Everything You Do’ speak for themselves. Producers on this album are Ian Grimble (Travis, Manic Street Preachers and The Enemy), Gavin Monaghan (The Editors, Ryan Adams, The Twang) and Bowie/Prince producer Mark Plati (who also mixed the new tracks in New York). The album also features slide guitar legend Al Perkins. 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.
The band line up features Richard Murray on lead guitar, Alex Cromarty on drums, Curtis Cumberbatch on bass, Miho Wada on piano and organ and Sarah Croft on backing vocals.
Artwork for both the debut 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. 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 Febraury 2010 single ‘Sand Makes a Pearl’ went to number 2 in the German mp3 charts and was play listed by BBC radio 2 in the UK.
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.
Last year, Will 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.


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