Will Richards' latest single, 'Speak Your Truth (Or Forever Hold It),' showcases the singer-songwriter's raw and emotional songwriting style. Richards' music is a journey through his personal experiences, where he fearlessly taps into his emotions to connect with his audience on a deeper level
Will Richards ©️ 2023
We have the immense pleasure of having Will here on Goathead!
GH: Hi Will! How did you get started in music? What was your call to action that lead you to become and wanting to become a singer/songwriter?
Will: I started playing guitar in fifth grade and was in my first band around that time. I was really inspired by my 90's heroes - Johnny Rzeznik of the Goo Goo Dolls and Stephan Jenkins from Third Eye Blind come to mind. I wanted to be like those guys, and I also wanted to be like my older brother who played guitar and listened to Green Day and Nirvana. In high school I was in a couple bands that dissolved because we all wanted to play different stuff. I had a sound in my head that I wanted to keep exploring. I didn't want to compromise it, and that led down this path as a singer/songwriter.
GH: Your latest single "Speak Your Truth (Or Forever Hold It)" tackles the issue of speaking up and being true to oneself. Can you tell us more about the inspiration behind this song and how you hope it will resonate with your audience?
Will: Imagine someone you once loved deeply texts you after several years of not speaking and says, basically, 'I heard your music. I think we should talk.' Then you think on it for a few days, all conflicted emotionally because you loved her but she hurt you. You respond and ask her what she wants to talk about. She then responds something like 'Nevermind, I don't want to bother you.' You push a little harder: 'No, it's all good. What is it?' But she never tells you. She shuts the door after opening it an inch or two. That is the origin of this song.
What I was feeling emotionally when I wrote it was frustration in her not speaking her mind, but a resolution in the end that I can't control the outcome. Let the universe decide because I don't pull the strings. Whether she tells me or not, life goes on. But there's also a part of me that misses what we had, and I'm wondering if she does too. And I'm wondering if she'll be okay if it ends up like this, with us not speaking to each other and words left unsaid.
I think people can resonate with the flame that never fully goes out. Even though it's burned you and you think it's gone forever, you're going to look if you see it flicker. Because there was warmth before the burn. And your heart doesn't forget.
GH: As an acoustic singer-songwriter, you often delve into personal and emotional subject matter. Can you walk us through your songwriting process and how you bring your innermost feelings to life in your music?
Will: I write entirely on instinct, usually starting with a chord progression and a melody, letting the words come from the emotion I'm experiencing. I'm creating from a place of non-judgment and allowing myself to feel my feelings. My aim is to make those feelings more visceral, and I don't think you achieve that unless it's raw, honest, and imperfect. After I come up with an initial version, I'll tweak with the melodies and words over time to try to make them as strong as they can be, rewriting parts if that's what my gut says is right. But the majority of what I come up with instinctually remains in the final version, because it captures the right sentiment.
GH: Your live performances have garnered a reputation for being intimate and soul-stirring. How do you connect with your audience during a show and what do you hope they take away from the experience?
Will: I think you connect with an audience by being vulnerable and authentic. Especially with this type of music which is very personal and emotional, you have to be willing to let your walls down so people can connect with the words and melodies on a deeper level. I'm hoping the audience loses themselves in the present moment as the songs resonate with them emotionally, so that when they leave, they remember how alive they felt in those moments.
GH: Right on, that is what we look forward in any talent we really ever sign. What are your future plans for your music career? Can you share any upcoming projects or collaborations that your fans can look forward to?
Will: Right now I'm focused on creating, so I'll be recording and releasing singles as they're completed over the coming months, with the follow up to "Speak Your Truth" due out in June. There will also be an accompanying music/lyric video for SYT that will come out in mid-May. I'm focused on writing the best music I can and reaching the people who will connect with it. I'm not concerned with fitting into a certain scene or genre. I'm all about no rules, freedom, and staying true to myself.
GH: Thank you for telling us your story, Will. It was a true pleasure, looking forward to hear more of your music and we are sure we will hear about you soon!
Will: Thank You, Goathead !
Don't Forget To Follow Will on his Instagram and Listen to 'Speak Your Truth (Or Forever Hold It)
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