This time, we get to know William Lovitt, a Chicago-based musician who writes music that crosses genres and brings the funky vibes to NAS playlists! Influences include Steely Dan, George Strait, The Beatles, YES, Jobim, Hall & Oates, Jon Pardi and many more.
The track "Feelin' Oh So Good" is featured in the New Artist Spotlight Family of Playlists.
Link To New Artist Spotlight Playlists:
1. Tell us a little about where you are from and what you are currently doing.
I"'m a Chicago native and live there now, but also spent 3 years living in Denver, CO, and traveling as a musician in various parts of the US. I'm currently involved in composing, recording, mixing, mastering, and producing my own original music in multiple genres. As a keyboard player, I have a lot of opportunities to incorporate different sounds in my music and have a special love for the expressiveness of synths!
2. What inspired you to start playing and making music?
As a child, I started in the school band playing clarinet and then trumpet. Shortly after that, I started taking piano lessons and loved the ability to express myself on an instrument where I could play not only notes, but also chords. I was soon inspired to start writing my own songs and was hugely influenced by the great music of the 60s and 70s, especially the pop music of that era.
𝟯. Who are your biggest influences?
I love so many different musical styles, so I'll have to include The Beatles, Yes, The Rippingtons, Charles Mingus, Stan Getz, Jimmy Smith, Steely Dan, George Strait, Asleep at the Wheel, Charlie Musselwhite, Astrud Gilberto, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Hall & Oates, Jon Pardi and so many more! I could go on and on, but probably shouldn't!
4. What are your goals in the music industry?
I love making music to make people happy and have already realized my goal of sharing my music with many different listeners thanks in such a large part to NAS! My near-term goal is to start exploring opportunities to further share my music through sync licensing.
5. Tell us about your creative process when you make new music.
I either have an idea pop into my head or get inspired by a certain riff or groove. From there, I keep expanding on it piece by piece until I have the full structure and then can start fine-tuning. Nearly all of my recent music has been instrumental, so I usually start out with a keyboard or bass part and then add drums/percussion. Before I get too far along, I like to formalize the structure, which often includes an intro, verses, choruses, bridge and an outro.
6. What is your all-time favorite song?
The Girl from Ipanema so famously recorded by Stan Getz, Joao Gilberto, Astrud Gilberto and written by Antonio Carlos Jobim. It resonated with me on every level and I never get tired of listening to it.
7. What is the best advice you have either given or received in terms of music?
I've advised other indie musicians who seem to be getting discouraged to stay positive and believe in themselves. Sometimes no one else believes in you, but if in your heart, you know what you are doing is good and right, you need to have the confidence to move past the challenges and savor every achievement, no matter how small. Never compare yourself to other artists, but rather be sure you're progressing at the rate and in the way that's meaningful for you!
8. Proudest accomplishment?
Finding NAS through Ed Eagle and making so many super nice and supportive friends from around the world. New Artist Spotlight has helped me in so many ways and has guided me through challenges and obstacles and made me proud to realize that there really are people out there who are interested not only in my music but in me as a person!
9. Just for fun! What's been your most embarrassing moment so far?
Okay - when I was in high school, I was in a cover band that did pop and rock songs that were popular at the time. I played a Farfisa organ in the band, but also played a little trumpet. I was pretty good at improvising and picking out parts on the organ, but lacked any ability in that area on the trumpet. At a practice (fortunately not at a gig) I tried to pick out a horn part for "Happy Together" a pop song by the Turtles. I was terrible and let's just say at that moment as a band we were not happy together!
𝟭0. Tell us about your lowest and highest points in music so far.
My lowest point was giving up the trumpet about 35 years ago, trying to learn it again and taking lessons for several years about 6 years ago and then realizing I'd never be any better than mediocre. That wasn't good enough for me, even though I practiced every day. I decided to "retire" my trumpet playing and focus on the keyboards. My highest point is right now. I feel like I'm in a position to not only continue releasing my own electronic instrumental music, but to also collaborate with other indie artists (especially those in NAS) and to re-release songs with music and lyrics I co-wrote earlier in my musical career but never released.
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