His name isn’t Ben, but with the kind of wry lyrical observations that accompany his alluring, piano-based take on modern rock, Will Gattis belongs in the esteemed company of Sirs Folds, Kweller and Lee. Just check the songs that will likely carve out his studio debut, which Gattis has tentatively titled The Album. It’s here that the Maine-based performer exhibits a depth that goes well beyond his early twenties and affirms his status as an artist on the verge.
Be it "Hey There Generation," an uplifting call-to-arms ballad written, as Will puts it, "about my happiness in seeing my generation get off its ass and stand up for something" or the quirky, thumping "Rugby Man," where the subject feeds on prescription painkillers, Gattis asserts himself as an eclectic and adventuresome tunesmith.
"The songs were written as if I was a character in a musical," the Portland-based Gattis, who actually holds the title "Maine’s Best Singer/Songwriter", explains. "I believe a real album has an emotional plot line, a rising and falling action, and some sort of resolution." Writing with the goal of crafting the greatest album ever made, the disc is still a work in progress, but results are at the very least strong.
Weaned on classic rock artists like The Beatles and Elton John, Will forged his musical abilities very early on and took his prowess on the piano and guitar to the next level, writing his very first song at a mere eight years old. After receiving a standing ovation the next year when he performed Billy Joel’s "Piano Man" in front of his elementary school, Gattis says, "I realized that this music thing might work to my advantage."
Inspired by everyone from Irving Berlin and The Who to Nobuo Uematsu’s soundtrack to the Playstation Game Final Fantasy 7, Gattis began to hone in on his melodic approach at home in Falmouth. First writing on guitar as an extension of his participation in high school bands like The Error, when he switched back to his beloved piano his songwriting blossomed, giving way to 2005’s Dullard. In the fall of 2006, he enrolled as a music major at the University of Southern Maine only to drop out in pursuit of his career, because, as he explains it, "I was fucking miserable."
Just the same, a university sponsored trip to Prague in the Summer of 2007 gave Gattis a keen look at life in the Czech Republic and gave way to the thought provoking number, "The Roma." "I was surprised at the amount of racism Europeans have against Gypsies, or the Roma, so I wanted to write a song about it," he says. "You know, a few years ago a contestant in the Miss Czech Republic pageant was asked how she would improve her country. She said she would become a prosecuting attorney and kick all of the "dark skinned people" out of the country and she was met with applause."
As socially-minded as his material can be, including the Gulf War informed "Sean", Gattis is hardly above writing songs about getting high with ex-girlfriends ("Lily") and dramatizations of college flings ("Flower Girl"). For Will, who has received career encouragement from people like Melissa Auf Der Maur and Gavin DeGraw, inspiration is everything.
"I try to create a specific feeling for the listener," Gattis says. "They’ll often be stories that I try to make either relatable or entertaining." And with heartfelt, evocative odes like "Metropolis," he often hits both marks.
With aspirations of achieving success and being highly respected, Will cites the aforementioned Bens and Regina Spektor as artists he draws on for inspiration. He also hopes to one day be one of their peers. "My main goal with all of this is to move people, to make people feel good," he says. "Plus, it wouldn’t hurt if people heard my music and said, ’Holy shit. This kid is good.’"
It may be wishful thinking when Gattis bangs out "Charlie’s Hit the Big Time," where a regional songwriter becomes a huge star, but it’s also hard not to go back to Will’s last remark and emphatically agree.
As you can see, I obviously am looking right past it, probably because of how tiny it is. Those mini bears, you gotta look out for them. Hope all is well, William!
I'm good, and alive. I joined the navy, and now I'm in the navy nuclear power training command pipeline. I'm at one of those places where everyone is freakin' smart. And I have learned the hard, hard lesson that just because a person is intelligent, it does not mean they are worthwhile. Otherwise, I've made some excellent friends. So I'd say that on the whole, the gain is more than the loss.
Sweet. I've liked "Metropolis" since I first heard it (you should have won that competition damn it), and it's truly great to hear a recording of one of my favorites of yours.
I'm also quite excited to announce that I'll be sharing the stage with you in April - I play in a band called Pillowfort, and we've been booked for the Festival as well. Can't wait to see you there!
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