Will Varley today releases “Statues”, the latest track to arrive from his forthcoming fifth studio album “Spirit Of Minnie”, released on February 9th, 2018 through Xtra Mile Recordings.
“Spirit Of Minnie”, is produced by Cameron McVey (Massive Attack, Neneh Cherry, Portishead) and due for release on the same day as Will’s largest London headline to date, at the 2000 capacity Shepherds Bush Empire in London
A fragile track from Will, which builds from its sparse organ/silde-guitar beginnings into a resonant chorus outro, “Statues” explores that idea of being trapped between our past, present and future selves.
“Spirit Of Minnie” follows close on the heels of Will’s BBC 6-Music-supported, Trump-baiting 2016 release “Kingsdown Sundown”, going Top 30 alongside a sell-out UK tour including London’s Union Chapel.
Will’s first collaboration with McVey, “Spirit Of Minnie” marks a distinct departure from his work to date, seeing him record with a full band for the first time. Will is not short of fans among his contemporaries either – with Frank Turner tipping Will as the best emerging songwriter of his generation, and Billy Bragg personally asking him to support him on tour.
Will Varley began playing open mic nights in London in the early 2000s, setting up his own nights in the Grey Horse, Kingston with friends Tom Farrer and Nick Marks. In 2010 he moved to Kent and set up Smugglers Records with the band Cocos Lovers. He released his debut album “Advert Soundtracks” in 2011 and toured the album on foot!
In September 201,3 his second album “As The Crow Flies” was released, winning positive reviews and airplay on BBC Radio 3, Radio 6 & XFM. In February 2014, he was invited to support Frank Turner at his homecoming show at Winchester Assembly Rooms.
Varley announced he would be embarking on another walking tour in May, travelling the entire south coast of England. The Rambling Tour saw Varley walk almost 500 miles, playing 24 shows along the way. After the walk, he played a sold out headline show at London’s Bush Hall.
Will signed a record deal with Xtra Mile Recordings while backstage at The Royal Albert Hall, shortly before taking to the stage to open for Frank Turner. The EP “Will Varley Live at The Lighthouse” was released in May 2015 to coincide with Varley’s spring tour of the UK. The EP reached number 19 in the iTunes singer/songwriter charts and national radio play. Soon after the record was released, was announced that Will would be supporting The Proclaimers on thirteen dates across the UK.
Will Varley’s third album “Postcards From Ursa Minor” was released on Xtra Mile Recordings on 30th October 2015. It reached number 11 in the Official Independent Album Breakers Charts. The following week he began a huge tour of the UK opening for label mate Frank Turner, culminating in a show at London’s Alexandra Palace. The album’s lead single “Seize The Night” was played on BBC Radio 1.
In January 2016, Will toured Germany with Frank Turner and shortly afterwards began his own headline tour of the UK, finishing with a sell-out show at London’s Scala. A week later he began a tour of North America supporting Skinny Lister. The tour began with a show on the Salty Dog Cruise from Miami to The Bahamas.
In April, Varley announced he would be doing a further twenty-five shows with The Proclaimers over the summer, and three shows opening for Billy Bragg. He also appeared at numerous UK festivals including Bestival, Cambridge Folk Festival and Glastonbury.
In September it was announced that “Kingsdown Sundown”, his fourth studio album would be released on 4th November 2016. The album reached number 26 in the Official Independent Album Charts.
Over the Autumn, Will embarked on further tours of North America, Ireland, Germany and the UK; including his biggest headline gig to date, a sold out show at Union Chapel, Islington. Throughout the Spring of 2017, he toured Europe opening for Valerie June and the US extensively, opening for both Frank Turner and Lincoln Durham.
Will is now releasing his entire back catalogue, which could not previousy be found on any streaming sites.
Listen to new track ‘Statues’ here:
Pre-order ‘Spirit Of Minnie’ here https://willvarley.lnk.to/SpiritOfMinnie
“Spirit Of Minnie” Track Listing
- All Those Stars
- Seven Days
- Screenplays
- Breaking The Bread
- Statues
- Spirit Of Minnie
- Let It Roll
- Postman
- Insect
UK HEADLINE TOUR
30 January BIRMINGHAM 02 Institute 3 https://www.gigsandtours.com/tour/will-varley/
31 January NOTTINGHAM Rescue Rooms http://www.alttickets.com/will-varley-tickets
1 February LEEDS Brudenell Social Club http://bit.ly/2hWNJMP
2 February EDINBURGH La Belle Angele https://www.ticketweb.co.uk/event/271071
3 February MANCHESTER Club Academy http://bit.ly/2AvciYJ
6 February SOUTHAMPTON 1865 http://bit.ly/2heqay1
7 February CARDIFF The Globe https://clwb.net/events/event/will-varley-2/
8 February BRISTOL Trinity Centre http://bit.ly/2hfCD4y
9 February LONDON Shepherds Bush Empire http://bit.ly/2mKb5JY
