Although he was unsure what to do next, Will began working on his first solo release - 2017’s Crossroads EP with a studio band of some nationally known musicians (Johnny Stubblefield - Parachute, Sam Wilson - Sons of Bill) and good friends from the central VA music scene. Though proud of the final product, following its release, Will took a step back from music for over a year as he re-evaluated whether he could build a sustainable career as a writer and touring musician. Even while putting distance between himself and music, Will couldn’t keep himselffrom writing new songs, and following a return to Virginia in mid-2019, Will went back into the studio to record the songs that would form his debut LP The Winemaker’s Daughter.
Following the successful and well-received release of the debut single “Something to Hold” from The Winemaker’s Daughter on February 14, 2020, Will hit the road on his first major solo tour two weeks later - just as the pandemic started shutting down the world. Canceled and indefinitely postponed gigs quickly piled up, but rather than stop making or releasing music Will continued on, dropping singles from the 9 song debut album while garnering international media attention and radio play (Baylen Leonard’s “Front Porch” on Absolute Country UK, The Current’s “Radio Heartland”, WHRO’s “Lyrical”, etc.) Since breaking the ice on his own return to live shows in April 2021 to celebrate the release of The Winemaker’s Daughter in February 2021 (almost a year to the day after the release of the initial single), Will has put tens of thousands of miles on his van while traveling from shows anywhere from Savannah to Minneapolis to Boston and everywhere in between. The miles and days away have been hard, but good for Will, as he gained inspiration and experience that led to the recording and release of three brand new singles in 2022 called “Spend it All”, “Heart Pine”, and “Dotted Line.”
Whereas Will’s older work was extremely personal and reflective, Will’s new singles tell his own story, while also incorporating other perspectives and experiences, all with a similar thread or vein running through them. The ballad-like first single and namesake of his Heart Pine EP (released Nov. 10, 2022), “Heart Pine” focuses on Will’s personal story of struggle with mental health. The dark and moody “Spend it All” is written from the perspective of someone returning from war and fighting the effects of PTSD, chipping away at the idea that everyone’s fight is the same. Lastly, the energetic and powerful “Dotted Line” encapsulates fighting to get past whatever has been dragging you down.
Armed with an honest voice and powerful convictions, Will Overman is slowly but surely building a name for himself performing throughout the east coast and beyond at venues and festivals such as (Fall for Greenville, Black Diamond Music & Arts Festival, The Jefferson Theater, etc.) and supporting artists like (Joe Pug, Christian Lopez, Town Mountain, Grady Spencer & the Work, Wheelwright, etc.). Regardless of whether you get a first listen of Will at the next show or song on shuffle, you can be sure that it won’t be long before you know his songs by heart.