Baltimore-based alternative rock and pop artist, Will Sims, creates themes that focus strongly on both romantic and social relationships, and the difficulties faced in our modern society. His rich, powerful music reaches out to connect on a personal level while still maintaining infectious components that make his songs stick in your head.
In this interview spotlight, I speak with Will about the new project, challenges, motivations and more.
Full Q&A along with links and music below.
Where are you from and what style of music do you create?
I hail from the Baltimore, MD area. I am a solo artist, singer and songwriter. I am inspired by all sorts of music, from rap, to metal, to classical, to EDM. My main style is Pop, with Alternative Rock influences. I use my inspiration from other genres to help me be more creative in writing songs and trying to keep my music fresh.
What led you down this path of music and what motivates you to keep going?
I wrote my first song my freshmen year of High School. I would write stuff down a lot but never really had much drive to do much with it. Before my senior year of High School I picked up my guitar and started playing, I played it everyday for hours until I got good enough to play other peoples songs, Internet was arround but I didn’t always have access so I would write out lyrics to my favorite songs and try to imagine what the artist writing it was thinking about. That helped me get a better idea of how songwriting worked. Music will always be a huge part of my life, it keeps me going but helping me face my demons, and I hope one day people will hear my music and it will help them get through their troubles as well.
How is this new release different than previous ones? Were you trying to accomplish anything specific?
My musical journey has always been one of great excitement. I try conciously to not write the same style song, I’m always looking for a different kind of energy to take and make my own. I also try working with different musicians and producers in different studios to try and enhance those sounds I’m going for.
My first single ‘Amber Eyes’ is very much a dance-pop song. My first album ‘May Never Be Forgotten’ was very much an Alternative rock album, while I was recording that album though, I was also recording 3 other albums. One was ‘Lovesick’ which is my most recent album. The other two are still waiting in the wings for the right time to drop. My most recent single, ‘Decisions, Decisions,’ is more along the lines of ‘Amber Eyes’ with it’s pulsing dance feeling. It features some playing from my best friends and talented musicians that make it one of my favorite songs I’ve ever done.
Name one or two challenges you face as an indie musician in this over-saturated, digital music age? How has technology helped you (since we know it does help)?
It certainly feels like it’s harder to be discovered by a fanbase. For every person you’re working harder than there’s someone that’s working harder than you. It’s great being able to send my music to anyone at anytime and ask them to give it a listen and most of the time get instant feedback on it. However, despite the amount of time people spend online, most people don’t really want to spend that time looking for something new to experience. I know personally, I’m more likely to stumble across an artist I like by accident, than to go check someone out by recommendation, even if they’re praising that artist.
Where is the best place to connect with you online and discover more music?
‘Who is Will Sims?’ is my current branding scheme. My website is www.whoiswillsims.com and my handle on any site (be it Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, etc.) is whoiswillsims. It should be relatively easy to find me somewhere and follow what I’m doing. I love responding to people questions, so if you want to drop a comment and ask a question, I’m happy to answer.
Anything else before we sign off?
Keep supporting local artists, keep making your own art or expressing yourself however you feel you need to and remember that your story is my story.
