Back In The 'Songwriting' Saddle Again

Good Evening, Planet Earth!

Been a busy month writing new songs that I am quickly premiering each week on the WillBlack website via each episode of ROCKSTAR RADIO. Songs with titles like 'Alexandra Falling', 'Forever Was Never Enough' & 'Rift Valley Fever' to name a few of them. I've also begun co-writing with a fantastic Columbus, Ohio based guitarist by the name of Chris Steberl and we will be delivering some full band rock songs by January for the world to hear. It's been a refreshing experience for me to be completing new material with a co-writer for the first time in a long while.

ROCKSTAR RADIO has had a successful 2^nd month on the air, but I need everyone's help in spreading the word about the great music being featured each week on the show! Word of mouth is the most effective form of promotion there is, so if you are enjoying the program make sure to tell your friends, sisters, brothers, daughters, Moms & Pops and even your boss. I have also been asked if there is a way to donate to ROCKSTAR RADIO and here's my official reply:

From the beginning I have purposely kept the show available for free and I plan to keep on doing so. My promise to you is to keep Rockstar Radio Podcast FREE and you will never be obligated to make any sort of payment to listen to or download the show. However, if you would like to make a financial donation to the show you can now do so when choosing to download an episode from the ROCKSTAR RADIO homepage at WillBlack.com/podcast. From now on when you choose to download a show, you will be offered the opportunity to 'name your price' and donate as much or as little as you'd like for that episode download. FYI - Each week's show takes about 5-6 hours of my time to produce, plus I have minor costs to maintain and host the shows as well. Every donation is gratefully accepted and will go towards keeping ROCKSTAR RADIO alive and on the air.

Each show I spin 11 songs from 9 different artists over the course of the 60 minute program.  I also have a "FEATURE ARTIST" segment each week on a different musician/band and this month it was my pleasure to feature:

Schiavone Mcgee - Episode 5 on Nov. 7

Ryan Roxie - Episode 6 on Nov. 14

Mudmen - Episode 7 on Nov. 28

This month I also launched a daily ROCKSTAR RADIO “Song Of The Day” feature that you can access at my Facebook Band Page or via www.WillBlack.com/playlist. The playlist contains streaming songs by indie artists played on ROCKSTAR RADIO plus many of my favorites from classic rock folkore throughout the decades.  If you'd like to make a request for a song to be added to the list, leave me a wall post on Facebook.

As the holidays are upon us, I wish everyone the best of seasonal fun and to be safe out on your local streets! The next WILL BLACK DISPATCH will be sent first Friday of January.

Thanks for listening and rock on!

Will

wb@willblack.com

ROCKSTAR RADIO Is Alive!

Good evening, Planet Earth!

It's been a hectic month but the first 4 episodes of ROCKSTAR RADIO Podcast have been released are waiting for you to listen to.  If you don't know yet what ROCKSTAR RADIO is - it's my new weekly indie rock podcast featuring the best of the best songs independent musicians have to offer from around the world.  New episodes air each Sunday night at 8 PM EST and are available for listening online or download to your computer and/or MP3 player.

The ROCKSTAR RADIO homepage is located at -> www.WillBlack.com/podcast

Here is what fans are saying about the new show:

"Will.. Loving the show.. it is seriously so good.. I look forward to listening every week! It getting better and better .. I loved the historical facts in the show .. So cool! Take care!"
- Mia Chambray

"Well, didn't know what to expect.??? Very good well done bud, will be looking forward to next broadcast."
- Sharrieff Wales

"Great shows so far! As a direct result of you showcasing them, I have purchased some songs (and an album) of artists I may have otherwise never found or heard of. Keep up the good work!"
- Phil Gee

Each show I spin 11 songs from 9 different artists over the course of the 60 minute program.  I also have a "FEATURE ARTIST" segment each week on a different musician/band and this month it was my pleasure to feature:

Honor By August - October 10
Andrew Cole - October 17
Red Wanting Blue - October 24
Chris Caddell - October 31

Every episode of ROCKSTAR RADIO is archived and available for you to listen to at your convenience, so I encourage anyone interested in discovering great, new music to go back and catch the shows that they missed!

It's lots of work to put these shows together, so I appreciate your support and feedback on what you like/dislike about the program.  Email me at wb@willblack.com with your thoughts and chances are I will air your comments on an upcoming episode.

In this issue of WILL BLACK DISPATCH, you will also find links to each of the new original demo songs I released each week for the month of October.  I've been successful so far in premiering a brand new tune of my own each week on ROCKSTAR RADIO and let's hope I can continue this songwriting "half" marathon that I've begun ;)


Rock on,

Will

wb@willblack.com

10/10/10 Indie Rockstars Unite!

Good Evening, Planet Earth!

Busy day today! Moving to a new apartment, working on producing the first episode of ROCKSTAR RADIO and getting ready for a recording session next week to get my new originals for October released.

My new weekly podcast 'ROCKSTAR RADIO' officially launches on Sunday, October 10^th at 8 PM EST. The show will feature the best indie rock bands that you have never heard, very cool stuff. I'll also include a feature interview with one of the bands, plus I will be debuting a brand new Will Black song each week as well! The podcast can be streamed direct from the net or downloaded free to your computer so you can take it with you on your iPod or portable MP3 player. The show will be available for everyone at Facebook and WillBlack.com/music:

www.facebook.com/willblack?v=wall

www.WillBlack.com/music

I will be sending everyone a quick email with track listing and album artwork each Sunday night as a friendly reminder! Also, if you miss an episode there is no problem because I will be hosting all the shows permanently online so you can go back and listen to anything you'd like at your convenience. I should eventually have the podcast available on iTunes as well.. working on getting that setup this month. The album cover artwork for the podcast is located later in the newsletter – take a look.

Next week I will be recording 4 new Will Black tunes with guitarist/engineer Mike Conto here in Bermuda. These songs will premiere one at a time during each new episode of ROCKSTAR RADIO during the month of October. As it currently stands, the plan is to draw from these new demo songs for my next album 'The Blinding Heights' when I go back into Metalworks Studios in 2011. Your feedback will be valuable over the coming months in telling me which of these songs you love, hate – or don't really care for either way ;) These demo songs will always be available for you to listen to and download for free. I'm looking forward to your feedback on both the podcast and the new songs!

After 5 years on Pitts Bay Road living at the back of the big, pink house on the hill (all the houses here in Bermuda are painted different pastel colors... ours was coral pink) Genie, Angelus (our Maine Coone cat) and I are finally moving into a bigger place. We'll now be up on North Shore and it's a pretty upper level apartment with an awesome view of the ocean! I'll post some pics for everyone to see once we get settled in next week.

There is also a cool, little promo video from one of my last performances on the Celebrity Century posted at the bottom of this newsletter for you to check out. You can also view it on YouTube @ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wpAm7pgQGI

Really looking forward to getting ROCKSTAR RADIO launched into the rock 'n roll heavens this month. So please show your support for great indie rock music and make sure to listen to the premiere on October 10^th @ 8 PM EST -> www.WillBlack.com/music

Rock on,

Will

wb@willblack.com

Here Comes The Sun, Again

Good evening, Planet Earth!

I hope everyone had a sunny summer with lots of BBQ, goodtimes and frolicking among beautiful ocean waves... yes, I am BACK living in Bermuda full-time.  In addition to moving back to “the Rock” this summer (Bermuda is a small island located in the Atlantic, not the Caribbean, about 600 miles east off the coast of North Carolina), I also spent a gloriously sunny 2 weeks in Tallinn, Estonia hanging out with my extended Russian family.  The newsletter photo above shows me downing a very large pint of beer in Tallinn's Old Town – awesome local brew by the way.

So howabout some exciting musical announcements?  Firstly, the WILL BLACK DISPATCH is now becoming a regular monthly publication, so expect to see a new issue in your inbox the first Friday of each month.  I've had lots of great feedback and interaction from fans around the world about the DISPATCH and it has proven to be an invaluable resource for getting my latest news and music directly to you.  I'm stoked about growing the readership of this newsletter to as many of you out there as possible!

Secondly, plans for a new Will Black album in 2010 have been pushed back into 2011.  This is due to 2 new cool developments that I am premiering right here:

1. A weekly rock 'n roll request radio show online
2. A new original Will Black demo song released each week.  Here are the details..

“NUMBER 1” -> SUNDAY, OCTOBER 3RD IS THE LAUNCH OF MY BRAND NEW WEEKLY PODCAST RADIO SHOW.  It currently stands without a title (see the Fan Feedback section later in this newsletter), but it will be a 60 min program hosted by yours truly.  The show will be available streaming online/free download on Sunday evenings from my website and possibly iTunes.  The show is currently in pre-production but here are some of the highlights I am working on including:

- I SPIN YOUR FAVOURITE ROCK 'N ROLL REQUESTS.  Requests can be made throughout the week prior to the airing of the show by posting on my Wall at www.WillBlack.com or sending me an email.  Help get your requests played and tell me something you love about the band or the song – a memory, a feeling, anything about the emotion they/it bring you. ;)

- EACH WEEK'S SHOW FEATURES A NEW UP AND COMING INDEPENDENT ARTIST.  I'll include an interview with the artist and spin one of their tunes.  Great promotion for the artist and a perfect way to expose my fans to more new musical talent.  This is an awesome cross-promotion technique and will also help to get my own music played for new ears.  If you know a hard working independent band/artist that would like be interviewed on my show – please send me an email (wb@willblack.com).  I'm really excited about getting other artists involved with this show!

- EACH WEEK'S SHOW WILL PREMIERE A BRAND NEW WILL BLACK DEMO SONG. See next point for more details..

“NUMBER 2” -> A BRAND NEW WILL BLACK DEMO SONG WILL BE RELEASED EACH WEEK STARTING SUNDAY, OCTOBER 3RD.  In preparation for my planned studio album in 2011 “The Blinding Heights”, I have decided to go ahead and begin releasing acoustic demo songs for free download each week.  This gives fans a chance to grab copies of potential songs that will make the final cut for the studio album and give feedback.  Each week I will premiere the new demo on the podcast radio show and then it will be available as a free download at WillBlack.com.

- EACH DEMO SONG WILL RELEASE WITH ITS OWN LIVE VIDEO PERFORMANCE.  I'll post a live performance of the demo on YouTube for everyone to get another taste of the song..

That's the main part of the big announcement.  The next thing I'd like to share is that the WILL BLACK STREET TEAM ONLINE is launching their first campaign on Facebook next week.  It will be a small little affair to get things going and we still need all the help we can get.  If you have 15 minutes to spare over the course of next week to help spread the news of my music to those who have yet to hear, please send me an email to wb@willblack.com.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUQ0mLvEVA4

Also please visit the Wall at www.WillBlack.com/WBWall on a daily basis to read and take part in all the cool posts that everyone is making there.  It's becoming a great forum for everyone to interact with.

This month's issue contains a feature on my song Faraway off my debut album Dancing With The Dead.  Check out the Fan Feedback section for results from fans regarding title suggestions for the upcoming podcast radio show.  You can also checkout the Issues section for links to previous publications of the WILL BLACK DISPATCH.

Thanks again for your all your support!


Rock on,

Will

wb@willblack.com

Happy Victoria Day Weekend!

I hope everyone in Canada has been celebrating their May Two-Four weekend,  lots of great playoff hockey and great weather to be enjoyed!

It's been an unusually long 3 months since the last issue of DISPATCH so let me bring everyone up to date.  I'm currently living in Toronto and slowly getting acclimated to life as a performer in this scene.  After 5 years playing in Bermuda (and before that performing on cruise ships for a few years) it's been a much needed wake-up call to be back in a real city struggling to find gigs and make a living doing what I do.  This transition that I started in March has been a challenge both personally and professionally.  However, I have some acoustic shows coming up over the next few weeks and I'm busy writing again as well – so all is continuing to move forward like it's supposed to.  I'd also like to suggest that if you ever get the opportunity to attend the Landmark Forum – go for it.  You have nothing to lose, and so much to gain.  It was one of the best experiences I've had in recent memory and initiated a lot of great stuff for me.

I'm proud to be participating as a performer in this upcoming weekend's Butterfly of Hope Charity Event in support of “The Weekend To End Women's Cancer” on May 29th in Toronto.  This is a showcase event that will also feature performers Gillian Bones, Emberlight and Jenn Taylor.  Lots of cool doorprizes to be had and it's in support of a great cause, so I'm hoping that my GTA fans will make an effort to come on out and see the show.  I'll be doing a one hour set from about 9 pm to 10 pm on acoustic, accompanied by Jenn Taylor on vocals.  Really looking forward to this show and you can get more info by clicking the following Facebook link or the banner below this post.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=3994262&id=9385764805

As you may have noticed in the photo at the top of this post, I was recently running in a road race!  My first one in fact, it was the Mississauga Half Marathon that was held on May 16th and I managed to pull off a 1:54 time which apparently isn't bad at all for a newbie like me.  I was actually sprinting in that shot, but that was because the finish line was only 50m away!  It was a great experience and I couldn't get over the number of people cheering along the race sidelines.  Such positive and encouraging energy directed towards the runners along the whole course.  I may even try to complete a full marathon at the Toronto race in the Fall... we'll see.

I'm also sending out an announcement that after my successful Albanian Birthday Bash House Party experience last month that I am now promoting my solo acoustic show to all of you for house parties, birthdays, etc.  It's simple, you book me for a night of entertainment wherever you are holding your event and I show up with my acoustic guitar and perform.  I charge a modest fee, but in turn you get a very intimate and memorable experience having someone right in the midst of your party entertaining all your guests.  No gear, no fuss – just a rock 'n roll troubadour with his guitar and voice.  I've done many of these over the years and they are consistently successful.  Contact me directly for more info at wb@willblack.com

I've also added a new section to the newsletter - ISSUES.  This will contains links to go back and read any of the past publications of the WILL BLACK DISPATCH.

Enjoy!


Rock on,

Will

Trekking Across Middle Earth!

Good Evening, Planet Earth!

First off, let me congratulate the Canadian Men's Hockey team on their gold medal win tonight against the USA - rock on, Canucks!  Canada has now won the most gold medals ever (14) at any Winter Games.

Let me continue this exciting issue by announcing that upon my permanent move to Toronto next week I will be igniting the fires of a brand new rock ‘n roll band called – Will Black & Th Ex-Soviets!  This new band will feature performances of both my original music and my favorite rock songs of all time.  It’s also my good fortune to announce that local singing sensation, Jenn Taylor will be joining me in this new rock outfit.  We are still early in the band-building process, but I am hoping to be announcing show dates by the spring.  March & April will be busy with auditions for a rhythm section, photo shoots and a re-launch for WillBlack.com.

Genie and I have also just returned to the grey skies and high winds of winter in Bermuda, after our month long journey through New Zealand and Australia.  Middle Earth (New Zealand) was a beautiful country and it was a pleasure to meet such a friendly nation of people.  We managed to drive our way across most of the North and South Islands during our 3 week stay.  Our personal highlights were the Lost World Caving at Waitomo and the canyoning at Niger stream in Wanaka.  Check out the awesome photos right here:

www.WillBlack.com/NZphotos

In Waitomo we spent our first 30 mins abseiling 300 ft into the dark depths of the Lost World and then heading upstream walking, swimming and climbing through cathedral-size vaults.  It was a cold and dark and TIGHT experience, but it was worth it.  Got to see thousands of glowworms and journey through an environment that I would never get access to back home.

Canyoning in Wanaka was awesome and the best tour of the whole trip!  It was a combination or abseiling (rappelling), water slides and jumping off high rocks into deep pools all in the chilly Niger river under sunny Kiwi skies.  Very active and a lot of fun.  Once again, there were a couple of slides and jumps that forced me to cross the fear barrier, but it was all worth it and I would recommend canyoning to anyone looking for some adventure in their next vacation.

After 3 weeks of full on everyday traveling through New Zealand, we grabbed a plane from Christchurch and headed over to Gold Coast, Australia to catch up with old friends.  Spending 2 nights at O’Reilly’s mountain retreat was the perfect cure for us to catch up on sleep and just chill.  We spent another 4 nights down in Gold Coast itself and experienced Australia’s version of Miami Beach to the fullest!  We hit the casino, Vomatron and went waterskiing through the canals… great way to end our journey.  Then it was back on planes for 24 hrs worth of flying back to our home in Bermuda.

Now I’m packed and ready to move back to Toronto tomorrow (March 1) and I’m looking forward to the adventure ahead.  I’ll be committed to working on the new album and getting my new band up and running full time.  This is a great opportunity to finally get my career as an original artist rolling full steam ahead and I can’t wait to get out and be playing back in Canada again!

Rock on,

Will

2010! New Decade, New Record, New City

Good Evening, Planet Earth!

For those I didn't get a chance to say it to - Happy New Year!  I hope the beginning of this new year (and new decade) sees you well on the road to achieving your dreams and conquests.  Hearts and hopes go out to the survivors of the Haiti earthquake.

I've been under a rock for the past 2 weeks or so editing a bunch of videos for YouTube.  The all-new Will Black YouTube channel is now up and running, so please click the link and head over to take a look.  I've got a handful of new acoustic performances on there that we filmed on a rainy day at Nine Beaches resort here in Bermuda last month.  Thanks to Colin Taylor for use of his fancy Sony videocamera (he was holding an umbrella over it for most of the filming!).  There are another 7 or so acoustic cuts to go up that should see the light of day when I return from New Zealand and Australia (more on that after the jump).  I also put together a tribute video to my 5 year performance run at Hog Penny Pub set to my song, "Senorita Ballerina" - lots of great memories and friends pictured throughout. Finally there is also a post of my interview with Lisa Pickering from VSB TV in Hamilton, Bermuda.  What is the future of live rock 'n roll?  Watch the interview to see what I reply with when she surprises me with that question.


In about 2 days, Genie and I are traveling off to New Zealand and Australia for our month long adventure vacation in the Southern Hemisphere.  Pretty exciting actually as we will be doing a bunch of cool things we've never done before like canyoning, bungee jumping/skydiving, black water rafting, glacier hiking.  As we planned this trip I came to the quick realization that I in fact DO have a modest fear of heights and that I DO get slightly claustrophobic... some fun challenges lie ahead!  I won't spoil all the details here, but will write a lengthy post of our travels in next month's issue of the WILL BLACK DISPATCH when we return.

Once I am back in late-February, I'll get everything together to make my permanent move back to Toronto, Canada.  I can't reveal all the details yet, but things are in the works for an exciting announcement regarding my new band.  Once everything has been setup and the ball is rolling I'll let everyone know where and when I will be performing.  I'll have more info in March once I am back in T.O.

I'd also like to post a link to this amazing video talk from magician, David Blaine.  He truly is an inspirational example of personal drive in pushing the limits of both the human psyche and physical body.  Worth checking out :)


Rock on,

WB

wb@willblack.com