Will Buck is an alternative singer songwriter and multi-instrumentalist based in Los Angeles, CA. Combining heavy blues guitar with electronic elements and strong story-telling lyrics, Bucks sound has been described as indie grunge and renegade folk with an ‘Elvis meets Cobain’ type of vocal delivery.
Born and raised outside Baltimore, MD, Will was already on the road over 100 days a year throughout the US with high energy rock & roll band West Water Outlaws by his early 20s. Following the bands sudden breakup in 2015, Will moved to LA for a second chance and announced himself as a solo artist in 2018.
Bringing his vibrant imagery and personal struggle to the forefront of the project, will began to showcase his true strength as a songwriter.
While his writing ranges from personal redemption to existentialism, addiction and isolation to ultimately ideas of cultivating inner peace, what wins out in the end is Will’s honesty in his experiences and willingness to share it openly.
Will is releasing new music and touring (pending the state of the pandemic) throughout 2021.
Recent Press
Shoutout LA
Meet Will Buck: Alternative singer songwriter and multi-instrumentalist
Hi Will, how do you think about risk?
I wouldn’t be where I am today if I hadn’t taken any risks. I vowed very young that I would be a professional musician and there is almost no way of avoiding risk in that decision. I never wanted to look back on my life and say, “gee I’m sure glad I played it safe.” This has resulted in two things: 1) I’ve lived a very exciting and non traditional life and 2) I’ve paid for some serious mistakes. For me, number one outweighs number two and thankfully I’ve gotten a little wiser over the years so I’m grateful for this attitude overall. I’ve realized the difference between a calculated risk or “trust fall” as I like to call it and getting caught up in the thrill of risk taking. I’ve lived both sides of this coin and as you can probably guess one has given me faith in the universe and the other has gotten me in trouble. Either way I wouldn’t change a thing and I’m thankful for the life I get to live.
Mobangeles
Will Buck releases “Thief in the Night”
Songs with the word “night” in the title always seem to trigger an immediate reaction for me. The daunting chords in “We Only Come Out At Night” from Smashing Pumpkins still resonate. Years later I’m still lost in the swirl of “Night Swimming” from R.E.M. Let’s not forget “Hard Day’s Night” from The Beatles, or Corey Hart’s “Sunglasses At Night”. I could go on and on, but for now I highly encourage adding “Thief in the Night” from singer-songwriter, Will Buck, to any listener looking to add to their musical collection.
Based in Los Angeles, California, Buck’s backdrop of open skies, nefarious characters and an eclectic mix for storytelling gives “Thief in the Night” a first-hand recollection song. He sings of casinos, dragons and shaking in his bones all to crushing guitar riffs so solid they could knock off John Mayer himself from his pretentious throne. Buck plays the guitar with fluidity and as a listener I felt like there was just a little bit of improvisation going on; I felt intrinsically connected to that guitar! Buck’s meandering story and fantastical night journey is one thing to behold. It truly is. But, he really shines in the music bed. The drum work and bassline steals the show, as does the aforementioned guitar skills. So much of this song has the musicality and interesting turns that I haven’t heard in some time; I’m sure there’s some indie bands out there that are making waves and Buck’s influences are likely in range of 60s pop, and even 80s synth, but Buck manages the overall “feel” of this song very well. It’s modern sounding and falls down a rabbit hole of crazy turns and yet very solid rock-pop foundations.
The Hollywood Digest
“Thief in the Night” from Will Buck
Every moment in the killer track “Thief in the Night” from Los Angeles’ Will Buck is an exciting stretch. Crunchy guitars and an overall feeling of neon light in the city. It’s a night out on the town with sinister basslines, yet Buck channels his inner rock star to create more-than-a sound-bite. “Thief in the Night” is rock-pop songwriting and delivery at its best. This songs moves its way into your soundscape and holds on for more than a few listens… it’s hard to escape this nightly tune. New for 2020 and what a fresh take – Buck is on my list for someone to really watch.
Buck sings “it feels so right, like poison under my skin…shaking, shaking.” Much like the more pop-flavored band Walk The Moon, Buck creates a solid foundation of guitar work and slick percussion fused with oh-so-right synth threads. When he sings the “shaking, shaking” I adored how his guitar sounded like it was equally having the fits. This song just keeps hitting in all directions – Buck’s vocals are clear-cut; he’s got the range and interesting factor going for him, too. He’s no Simon LeBon (Duran Duran), but he’s on his way to becoming a true front man. He’s one of those singers that does so much with an effortless cool-factor. He seemingly sounds real. As a listener, I was so compelled by his delivery and his quick retorts next to the sharp guitar riffs. The beat is simplistic, but a helluva-job it does.
The city of Los Angeles really plays a part in this song. Though he doesn’t really mention it, the idea of bright lights and interesting characters taking center stage seems so LA to me. Perhaps there’s some sort of drug-induced trip going on, but it’s far from a Hunter S. Thompson novella. Dragons and casinos are mentioned, but I got too lost in the guitar riffs and music bed to feel completely intertwined in the lyrics. I felt so charged, so ready for action listening to “Thief in the Night”. I felt like at every turn, there was going to be a new character, and again, I just couldn’t shake the riffs and vibrant tones coming out of that guitar! He keeps the listener engaged in the whole package. There’s a slight throwback to the 80s sound with this song, I can’t quite get my finger on it, but perhaps it’s the pulse or the tones. It’s not dated by any means – again, it’s fresh to 2020, but the inner-80s lover in me is always begging for this sound!
I loved how Buck is exploring some newer sounds in “Thief in the Night”. At one point it sounds like he’s singing through a megaphone – there’s a bit distortion going on. I think he used it well, and he’s produced a solid pop rock track. Fans of The Killers, Walk The Moon, Too Much Joy and Neon Trees might really dig “Thief in the Night”. It takes just one listen and I was sold.
Voyage LA Magazine
Meet Will Buck
Will, before we jump into specific questions about your work, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I grew up in Hydes, MD, a very small farming community on the east coast – population 470. You had to pull your weight and most of the time help out with the family business. Very few people played musical instruments and absolutely no one was pursuing it professionally, but after the first time, I saw my uncle play the guitar at age five, I was obsessed. I had no idea how but against the odds, I was sure I had to start a band. I went on convincing friends throughout school which instrument they needed to play and what the master plan of the band was but it wasn’t until my young twenties after I’d moved out to Colorado that I’d meet and form West Water Outlaws.
Buzz Music
Will Buck Is Back With His Brand New EP “Stone Feather”
Born and raised in Hydes, MD, talented artist Will Buck spent his early years working on his family’s farm and growing an immense obsession with the guitar. Marveling at his parent's records, Will remembers songwriting attempts as early as age 10. By his early 20s, he was on the road over 100 days a year throughout the US with West Water Outlaws until the band suddenly split in 2015. After a year-long solo journey with only a few suitcases, a guitar and his truck he decided to move to LA with a notebook of new songs and an undying determination for another shot. Will announced himself as a solo artist in 2018 and released his debut single “Fuse” in May 2019. With the release of his debut EP “Stone Feather,” there are a number of reasons to keep an eye on Will as he continues down the artist's path.
“Stone Feather” comes in hot from the offset with an introductory track titled “Burn”. The song offers an underlying sentiment that seems fairly inspiring and of depth, inviting the listener to consider these ideas, and to feel the embrace of the music as its weight and intensity fills the room. The resulting effect is hopefully that you feel as if there’s a certain power or possibility within you with the intention and purpose of Buck’s lyrics. “State of Mind” follows the opener and immediately changes things up. The lyrics stand tall, this catchy melody and the references feel extremely vulnerable and appealing for their desire to connect with their listeners. The lightness of the music captures your affection and Will Buck’s voice is contagious and very genuine to listen to. With the next and title track “Stone Feather” there’s an apparent sadness but it’s intertwined with optimism and a hopeful search for the future. The song takes you on a journey with it, loaded with imagery and self-reflection, you feel enjoyably involved in the experience as a listener. “Stone Feather” is an absolute highlight and a definite personal favorite. A simple yet addictive melody is accompanied by intriguing, questioning lyrics, and the minimalist strum of a guitar.
To finish off an incredible project, “Regular Man” is another highlight! Gorgeously gritty vocals entrance the listener, while deeply considerate and honest lyrics drive a concept through. You get so much clarity from this project as if these are the songs that had to be sung, the thoughts that had to be shared. “Stone Feather” features incredibly expressive lyrics and delicious melodies, plus a musical build-up that intensifies superbly. Will’s vocal tone and the style of these songs offer a distinct thread throughout, mood-wise though there’s plenty of eclecticism at work, and for these reasons, this EP makes for a wonderful playlist to escape within. The musicianship on this project is consistently flawless, well done Will Buck!
Boulder Beat
Will Buck Returns to Colorado with New Solo Tunes & Old Bandmates
If you were involved in the Colorado music scene four years ago, it was nearly impossible to miss rock’n’roll outfit West Water Outlaws. What started as a Boulder house party act in 2010 soon found themselves selling out The Fox Theatre and touring nationally with acts like The Meter Men, Royal Southern Brotherhood, Jerry Joseph, and Rival Sons. But just as things really started to take off for the Colorado band, they split when frontman Blake Rooker moved to Nashville to pursue a solo career. The members all went their own way and the band dissolved.
Notably, drummer Andrew Oakley joined several successful Colorado rock acts until he formed A Shadow of Jaguar with Brian Hubbert. But guitarist Will Buck had a harder time trying to find his future in music until recently, when he decided to release his debut solo single “Fuse.”