An interview in collaboration with Taking Sound Music

 

It’s hard to not get excited when thinking about the future household names of pop stars to come. There are so many hidden gems that are bound to make themselves known, emerging through unlikely come ups, instances of perfect timing, and a true passion for their craft that lead them on their journey into and through the music industry. 

 

Will Linley is one of those future household names.

 

Hailing from South Africa, Will only started releasing music in 2022, but you wouldn’t be able to tell that from a listen through his discography that showcases a mix of feel-good upbeat melodies, catchy lyricism, and attention to story-telling and details. After heading home from university amidst the pandemic lockdowns of the past, Will decided to start focusing on his love for music through songwriting. What seemed like a far-fetched dream with no way into the industry turned into recognition back home and around the world. Less than two years later, he’s taking the world by storm, going on headlining and support tours around South Africa, Europe, the UK, and the US, all while gearing up to release his sophomore EP “Magic”, out November 10th. 

 

The project is set to be just that - magic. The latest release, “Maybe”, paired with the glimpses of visuals and song teases of what’s to come, portray the “euphoric, nostalgic, and fun” vibe Will describes as the overarching theme and common thread woven throughout the EP. With One Direction’s “Midnight Memories” and “Four” eras serving as sonic inspiration, “Maybe” is the perfect introduction into a world of upbeat wistfulness and modern pop goodness.

 

““Maybe” was actually the song that took the quickest from the start to actual release. I wrote it in February on a trip where I didn't think I got songs that I actually loved at all and then “Maybe” was this little gem that popped in out of that whole trip of writing.”

 

The upcoming release of “Magic” is a true testament to Will’s authenticity and overwhelming desire to enjoy every moment of his journey. The project was written almost entirely in-person, a process Will described as memorable because all he wanted to do was spend time with the people he loved while doing what he loved. With the desire to be hands-on and surrounded by his people in mind, Will ultimately decided to put his original goal of potentially creating an album on pause, opting for a more feasible project rather than forcing his way through creating a longer form body of work just for the sake of putting out an album.

 

“The original goal was to potentially do an album this year but I think it felt too overwhelming. It felt too scary; I was spending too much time at home and it’s expensive to come out to the States, but I realized that I needed to be in the States in the room rather than just sending notes of production stuff in a text message. It just became a very overwhelming experience for me to start thinking of it as a bigger project because you want [an album] to have a throughline. You want things to make sense, you want it to have a story, and you want it to actually say something, and I felt like I wasn't actually in the space to do that properly.”

 

Sometimes, pop music can feel hollow, but it’s so clear that everything Will does has intention behind it. The upcoming EP is a collection of little stories - stories of unlikely relationships that flourish when nurtured, stories of searching and waiting for a soulmate, stories that are real and authentic and 100% Will. The title track is the perfect culmination of these stories, depicting what Will describes as that middle-ground moment in a relationship where “it feels like ‘I love you’ just doesn’t feel like the right thing to say”.

 

This intention extends beyond the songwriting, as Will continues to make deliberate choices with his visuals that only enhance the storytelling. There’s a reason why Will claims the title track is his favorite and the song he’s most excited to share with his audience, and it’s the intention behind the music video that propels it right to the top. 

 

“[Magic] was the most chaotic music video I’ve ever done in my entire life. We imagined this video in the space of a week. We got budgets in a week, we got crew in a week, and usually we try to do these things with around a month and half in advance. We filmed back home so Cape Town is on display, which is so important to me. I feel like there are a lot of American and European artists and they film all their music videos in the States and I’ve been lucky to do that but [showcasing] where I’m from and how I’m showing that in my music and visuals [is so important to me].”

 

The passion and gratitude Will has for the aforementioned turn from university student to rockstar-in-the-making is crystal clear - from the way he carries himself to his music to his stage presence. His journey is bound to be a long one as he continues to be authentic and let his passion for his music be the driving force. Learn it now, because Will Linley is a future household name.

 

Will’s sophomore EP “Magic” is out November 10th.

 

By Amanda Kolar

@amanda_kolar