A CONVERSATION WITH... WILL FOULKE
We talked with Will Foulke about Charleston Blues, his ambitious hometown project that reimagines the blues as both a tribute to its legends and a journey into new sonic territory.
Charleston Blues has been described as both a tribute and a road trip through the history of the blues. What first inspired you to take on this ambitious project?
I was intuitively inspired to make Charleston Blues. The thought of making a blues album in my hometown resonated deeply with me.
You’ve said the record is a love letter to the legends of the blues. How did you go about choosing which musical influences to honor and how to weave them into your own sound?
I chose the artists that I've connected to over the years and that I really look up to. I feel these inspirational artists deserve a spotlight in today’s music scene as they have impacted my life greatly.
The album pays homage without feeling nostalgic. How did you strike that balance between reverence for tradition and pushing the sound forward?
I wanted to bring a fresh take with a nod to the past as a way of honouring the ones before me, yet creating something different.
Songs like ‘Dropped Out' and ‘Still Alive’ draw on very different corners of the blues tradition. How do you approach honouring such varied influences within a single album?
When I was creating this album, I wanted to show multiple facets of the Blues and what it has to offer. The genre has such a rich history and diverse storytelling. I wanted to honour all of the musicians who made the Blues what it is today.
‘Out To You’ closes with lush harmonies in a Brian Wilson-inspired dreamscape. What role does experimentation play in keeping the blues alive for you?
I think it is important to push the boundaries of music into the unknown. Experimenting with different instruments and melodies on this album allowed me to take a modern approach to the Blues.
Having poured so much of yourself into Charleston Blues, what do you feel it taught you as a songwriter and musician?
Charleston Blues has taught me to expand my musical language and to bridge my inspirations into a cohesive body of work. I feel more fulfilled after this project. Diving into the Blues has given me a greater appreciation for the complexities and richness of the genre.
The songs span from gritty burners to soul ballads and layered dreamscapes. Do you see these as different chapters in a story, or as stand-alone portraits within the larger album?
When I was making this album, I was conscious of the story I wanted to tell. In my mind, the songs are all thematically chosen to weave a cohesive story about love, pain, and moving on.
You performed every vocal and instrumental part yourself. What drove that decision, and how did it shape the album’s intimacy and grit?
I chose to perform all of the musical parts because this project is very close to me. The challenge of creating every part of an entire album was intriguing to me and led me to want to be involved in every aspect.
The record was mixed by Elliott Elsey and mastered by Vlado Meller, both known for precision. How did you work with them to keep the grit and rawness intact?
I have been working with Elliot for several years, and it felt right to bring him into the process. We have developed a great working relationship, and our musical interests and tastes are symbiotic. I knew he could help me deliver what I was after. Vlado Meller is an esteemed figure in the music industry whom I greatly admire and respect. We met through my affiliation with Truphonic Studio. His talent, skill and experience were the obvious choice for mastering the album.
As someone who blends blues, rock, and pop, how do you navigate the expectations of different audiences without diluting your sound?
The intention behind my music is to connect with as many people as possible while staying true to myself.
The sequencing feels like a road trip, from the opener to the closing track. How intentional was the narrative arc?
That’s a great observation. I was very intentional about how I wanted Charleston Blues to unfold. As I created more songs for the project, they each fit into the larger theme, bringing the listener on a fantastical journey.
If you could share this album with one of the legends who inspired it, who would it be, and what would you want them to hear in it?
Great question. I would choose Jeff Lynne to listen to my album. I am greatly inspired by his production and songwriting, and I would want him to recognise the impact he’s made not only on music as a whole, but on me personally.
What’s next for you? Are you staying rooted in the blues, or is the next chapter already pulling you in new directions?
I have an EP coming out in October titled God’s Hands. This new project has more of a pop sound. Going forward, I will make the music I'm called to make regardless of genre.
