Conscious roots artist Will Evans follows up his highly acclaimed studio album After the Burnt Out Sun, with a new single “Old Soul” and an accompanying video. The record is a genre-bending piece that blends funk-soul,afrobeats with a dash of hiphop and the result is quite brilliant as we hear Will delivering his folk-inspired sound in a new format. Armed with his distinct melodic flow and conscious lyrics, Will touches on delicate real-time issues that affect us all. He aims to awaken our spirits and propel us to take action. Joining him on the track is Hip Hop legend Chali 2NA from Jurassic 5 who adds his 2 cents to the track. The song celebrates life, wisdom and community and calls on people to come together to make life better, while keeping your head bobbing from beginning to end.
The accompanying video is as vibrant as they come and was shot by producer and editor Kyle Morgan. Having shot several of Evans’ previous videos, Morgan incorporates street art, small businesses and a barber shop where Evans claims to have had the best haircut he’s ever had, to celebrate the Rhode Island community around them. By also including graffiti, b-boys (breakdancing) as well as of course, emceeing, Evans honours some of the key pillars of Hip Hop. Three-fourths of the way through the video, we are introduced to Chali 2NA’s verse via Facetime, where he joins the song from his phone in a very authentic demonstration of how the majority of collaborations come together today. Combined, the two artists present a catchy, upbeat and lyrically conscious hit meant to uplift listeners across the globe.
About Will Evans: Rhode Island-based, Will Evans has spent the last decade of his life as the frontman for New England Roots Rock band Barefoot Truth. Four albums and 50M+ streams later, he has embarked on a solo journey, releasing three full length albums and performing for sold out crowds across the US and Europe. Showcasing his skills as a multi-instrumentalist, Evans displays technical mastery of live-looping in his shows that include the didgeridoo, ‘hand pan’ drum, percussive beatboxing, acoustic guitar, and layers of soulful vocals. His album “Rise” was nominated for three categories by the New England Music Awards: Album of the Year, Roots Act of the Year, and Video of the Year. Shortly after returning to the U.S., he recorded a full-length live album for Sugarshack Sessions and also released ‘The Summer Swell,’ a 3-song live EP, as well as a new summer-vibed single: “Lean In.”
A lifelong surfer and environmentalist, Evans’ songs speak to the importance of connecting with—and protecting—the earth. At a time when so many are looking for words of inspiration and reassurance, his songs deliver messages of family, love, hope, and inclusion. Will Evans has shared the stage with many top artists, including Crosby & Nash, Grace Potter, Bruce Hornsby, Rusted Root, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Trevor Hall, Xavier Rudd, Donavon Frankenreiter, Six60, Ryan Montbleau, Railroad Earth, and members of Dispatch.
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