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Who is Will Sims?

Will Sims is a Baltimore-based singer and songwriter whose music blends rock, alternative, and pop into songs that span from heartfelt ballads to explosive anthems. For over a decade, he has been a fixture in the Mid-Atlantic music scene, known for writing songs that are both emotionally resonant and undeniably catchy.

Shaped by 90s influences like Matchbox Twenty, Goo Goo Dolls, and Oasis, Sims has a gift for crafting hook-driven melodies with universal themes of love, struggle, and hope. His catalog showcases a wide range of styles—from the intimate pull of “Will You Remember?” and “Lovesick” to the reggae-infused “Unwind,” hip-hop inspired “Gun to Your Head,” the hard rock punch of “Wrecker,” and the electronic-rock energy of “Better Off Alone”—a fan favorite built on a funky bass riff and a rap-inspired bridge.

Sims’ latest release, Do You Feel Alive?, is his most ambitious and personal project to date. A decade in the making, the seven-track album is a kaleidoscope of influences—darting between alternative rock, pop, ska, funk, industrial, and EDM—while staying anchored in raw emotion. From the urgent opener “Full Speed Ahead” to the introspective weight of “The Mourning Moon” and the luminous closing duet “There’ll Be Another Time,” the record plays like a journey through survival, growth, and hope. Highlights include the synth-driven pulse of “Better Off Alone” and the stirring “Amber Eyes,” featuring Lindsay Collette. Produced with longtime collaborator Tony Correlli at Deep End Studio, Do You Feel Alive? has been praised as a bold, transportive record that captures Sims’ restless creativity and fearless genre-blending spirit.

On stage, Sims is known for his dynamic performances that connect deeply with audiences. He has played shows across the East Coast and shared stages with national acts including Puddle of Mudd, Saving Abel, Adema, Otep, Taproot, Hurt, Smile Empty Soul, Ballyhoo, Jimmie’s Chicken Shack, and most recently, Return to Dust.

Sims’ music has been featured on radio stations in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and the Carolinas, as well as on online stations and podcasts nationwide. Whether on record or in concert, his goal remains the same: to create music that lingers long after the last note—songs that inspire connection, reflection, and a lasting emotional impact.

Where can you find me?

Website: https://www.whoiswillsims.com

Streaming: https://www.whoiswillsims.com/findme

Podcast: https://www.whoiswillsims.com/thepodcast

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whoiswillsims

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whoiswillsims

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@whoiswillsims

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Inside the mind of an indie artist.

Sometimes, all it takes is a few people to believe in you to be successful in the music industry. I've always been on a path towards success in this industry. I've continued to push myself in ways that expand beyond the music itself. I wish that I could just focus on creating awesome work for people to experience.

But more often than not, I have to work twice as hard to get people to even acknowledge my work. A lot of people in the Baltimore scene don't really "follow" what I'm doing. I'm not saying they don't care, or don't like what I'm doing. But, getting casual and hardcore music fans to see what is happening and have them be excited is long arduous process that usually ends in people forgetting about your work the moment they scroll past your post.

I think it's more a product of the times, and I am guilty of doom scrolling, hoping to find something that makes my day better, or gets me excited for what's to come. But, all too often, I feel like I'm missing the important things in search of that impossible fulfillment.

There's too many things that are out to make use enraged with each other instead of bringing us together. We should be able to enjoy music together despite our differences. But, it seems like people are so radicalized by things don't effect them that they can't look past people's perceived beliefs.

I don't have the answers, I'm usually just trying to stay afloat in a world that's drowning me. Music keeps me afloat. I'm lucky to get a small part of monetary support from it. I'm lucky to have a good job where I can fund my dream (which often feels like a futile endeavor.) But I can't help but feel like it's all pointless and it's not making an impact.

But every now and then I get a reminder that what I'm doing feels right. The songwriter showcases have been awesome. It feels like I'm building a community of people who want to support each other. I'm constantly blown away by the talent of the people I'm bring onto these shows (I do check out their stuff ahead of time, but it's not the same as being in a room watching them perform.)

Anyways, I say all this to say, I hope you'll consider paying more attention to what I'm doing and maybe ever trying to come out to more of my shows and supporting me and the songwriters that I'm trying to give a space to share their craft. And maybe, just maybe, make my songs part of your rotation, I'm sure I have 1 or 2 at this point that would peak your interest.

If you read this far, let me know you care. Cuz I don't always see it, I'm not always the best at picking up on those details.

#inner thoughts #whoiswillsims #who is will sims?#musicnews #supportlocalmusic #newmusic #music #indie rock #indie music

Making the 'Unwind' music video

The Story

This video was filmed by Matt Gischel at Crossroads Tavern in Glen Burnie, MD on February 1st, 2016. The video is compilation of the show that night which my first solo show featuring a full band. The line up included Mike Falkler on Guitar, Ben Kolakowski on Guitar, Nik Kosmas on Bass, Jeff Gardner on Drums, and Tony Correlli on Keys. The cool thing was that most of my band members had actually played on 'Unwind' in the studio. We also had a Lindsay Collette join us on stage for 'Amber Eyes' (she sang on the studio recording.) The audience that night included some close friends and family who came out to support me on a big night.

As with most local video shoots, it's always difficult to get people to come out and be part of the shoot, but we had a lot of friends turn up so it ended up being a very successful night. The setlist was gonna be mostly originals but we worked out a few covers ahead of the show. We were already planning on doing 'Life in the Fast Lane' by The Eagles when Glenn Frey suddenly passed away. A few days earlier David Bowie had passed away and we decided to add 'Heroes' to our set as well. The night felt like proof that I could really do the whole solo thing, giving me the confidence to continue playing shows and building my brand.

Setlist: Cry (But Don't Ask Why?) We Will Shine Unwind What Is and What Should Never Be (Led Zeppelin cover) The Girl in the Flower Dress Life in the Fast Lane (Eagles cover) Unwind Amber Eyes (featuring Lindsay Collette) "Heroes" (David Bowie cover) Immigrant Song (Led Zeppelin cover)

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The Story Behind 'Will You Remember?'

Lyrics:

V1: My soul is aching, my spirits breaking, my head is thinking, my heart it is beating,

My soul is aching, my spirits breaking, my head is thinking, my heart it is beating,

Chorus: Will you remember the things that I said to you? Will you remember the things that I did for you? Will you remember what I said to you? Will you remember that I love you?

and I want to know, if you ever loved me too...

V2: Your eyes are shining, your soul is showing, your lips are moving, but I am not listening,

Your eyes are shining, your soul is showing, your lips are moving, but I am not listening,

Chorus 2: Will you remember the times I was there for you? Will you remember the look you gave me too? Will you remember what it's like to be wanted? Will you remember you're all I ever wanted?

and I want to know, did you ever want me too...

Outro: I want to let go, I want to let go, I want to forgive and forget, I want to let go, I want to let go, Will we ever move on I want to let go, I want to let go, It may never be forgotten I want to let go, I want to let go,

The Story

When I first started writing this song it was around 2009/2010. It was, and always has been, a very personal song to me. I wrote it about someone I had very strong feelings for. She was someone I had known a long time, we could have been good friends but for most of that time I felt the way I did and I always knew in my heart that nothing would ever become of it. I did eventually tell her, and she reacted exactly the way I thought she would. I have very rarely felt the way about another person as I've felt about her.

The song is was about how it felt when I knew we wouldn't really see each other again, we were on separate paths in life. There was a little bit of bad blood between us, mostly because of things that I did. I wondered if anything good that we experienced together really meant anything at all. It was the time I first realized how a break up must feel (even though it wasn't really a break up), knowing that everything you had experienced with each other was just going to be a memory as opposed to something you were holding on to together.

Originally, I brought the song to the band I was in at the time called 'Far From Sundown' and we worked out a version of it that included acoustic guitar and piano. I always knew the song would call for that arrangement. It was important to me that the song captured some of the feeling of loss but also hope that the experiences we share with someone aren't meaningless if you aren't together anymore.

Recording

The first and last song recorded on 'May Never Be Forgotten' went through a lot of iterations. The version from the Far From Sundown era had the basic idea of the song there, though we only played it live once in 2010. It didn't resurface again until 2013/2014 when I went to Sheffield Institute for Recording arts to do some songs for what would become my first solo album. Joe Ruggiero, Eric Robinson, Joey Underwood, and John Davis all took part in the live recording session.

Probably a year or two after that I finally took the songs to Tony Correlli at The Deep End Studio to try and make something of these recordings. It was there that he wrote what I think may be one of the best piano riffs ever over the chorus. It's what really gave it the emotional feel that I was going for. While the song in general came out sounding great, I thought maybe there was a better version of the song I could put out there for the world to hear.

We ended up re-recording it to give it more of a hopeful vibe instead of the somber feel of the original. The new version featured Jeff Gardner on Drums andf became the first song on the album and had a music video filmed for it. At the time of writing this I am also working on a stripped down acoustic version of the song, closer to the way it was originally written.

It hasn't been played much live due to the level production but hopefully it will make it's way into our regular set soon.

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The Story Behind 'Unwind'

Lyrics

V1: Cool Room, dim dim light, Couldn't tell if I heard you right, Pretty sure, But I won't lie, I really don't care,

Another sip, slow slow down, The way I see you hanging around, You seem to know how to get down, and I think it's only fair,

Chorus: Let me tell you a story, of a girl who never tries, Girl this might sound corny, But I'd like to make you mine, So when I say I'd like to know you, it means I'm not afraid to try, but first, you gotta take a leap of faith, and I promise it'll all unwind,

V2: Tell me now, is it oh so clear, Be honest, I won't shed a tear, I can tell you I don't have a fear, I'd be classier if I could, A cool room, with dim dim light, Suddenly I don't feel so bright, But I know I just can't lie, I'd really like to blow your mind,

Chorus 2: Let me tell you a story, of a girl who never tries, and this might sound a little mean, but girl you got to be blind, so when I say I'd like to know you, It means I'm not afraid to try, But first you gotta take a leap of faith, And I promise it will all unwind,

The Story

I wrote this song in 2011. I first started performing it at Open Mic Nights around town. It always had a reggae type vibe to it. I can't remember exactly what it was that inspired me to go with that sound for this song, but I wanted to see if it was something I could pull off.

Lyrically, I was writing about how I felt being a performer at that time, being in a dark room with lights on you, trying to impress everyone with what you hoped was the best representation of yourself. It's also romanticizing the idea of being a performer, that when you are on stage you feel like someone else, in another world even. You feel like you can do or say anything and the whole world is listening.

I hope that listeners hear it as a cool party tune about cutting loose and having a good time whenever possible. As we get older we have less time for fun so you have to make your time count.

Recording

When I decided I wanted to record this song, I booked a student session at The Sheffield Institute for Recording Arts. I pulled a band together the week before we recorded. The group consisted of Jeff Gardner on Drums, Ben Kolakowski on Guitar, and Nik Kosmas on Bass. I knew most of these guys from jamming with them in one form or another and knew they were all expert musicians who could find the groove and the melodies when I had nothing for the song.

They helped shape the songs arrangement which really took it from a cool idea to a fun song. Once we had tracked everyone I really felt like it had potential. I showed the song to my friend Joe, he recommended that I change the chorus melody to flow a little better which really helped the chorus sound as big as it does.

Sometime after tracking at Sheffield, I took the song to Tony Correlli at The Deep End Studio, where he mixed the song, added the Organ playing and did some additional tracking. When all was said in done, the song came out sounding killer, and knew I wanted it to be one of my singles. When I listen to the song now, I think of how it started out as such an experiment in writing then evolved into one of my favorite songs to play live.

Making of 'May Never Be Forgotten' (my first album)

Many of the songs on 'May Never Be Forgotten' were written early in my career of songwriting as far back as 2007 (possibly earlier). I began recording these songs in mid-2014 while my band Roll It Over was in the process of recording and mixing our album 'A New Life.' Most of the songs were originally tracked a The Sheffield Institute for Recording Arts and featured some of my friends who were musicians coming in to help finish some of the arrangements. Most of the arrangements were done in one rehearsal where I would bring in the basic structure of the song with chords, vocals, and an idea of where I wanted to go and everyone would help me take the song a step further.

The songs we're recorded in separate sessions from 2014 into 2015 with each session featuring different groups of players contributing to songs. The tracks were then taken to The Deep End Studio where we began mixing what would become my first album. At the time, my plan was to use the Roll It Over moniker to release future music, but after finishing my first single 'Amber Eyes,' I decided to go the route of a solo artists to differentiate from the sound we had. This also gave me more freedom to pursue the style of my choosing with each song instead of feeling as if I had to conform to one sound for my brand.

The mixing sessions included some overdubs and added instrumentation to some tracks which included Keyboards and Synths to a lot of tracks and Accordion being added to 'Looking to the Sky.' We also did a new version of 'Will You Remember?' to go for more of a contemporary version of the song that would be easily accessible to listeners. Another song included on the record was 'The Girl in the Flower Dress' which was recorded at zeroVU Recording Studio. All the songs went through final mixing and mastering at The Deep End Studio.

The Album was released in May of 2016. I opted not to do a CD release celebration in favor of continuing to work on new music. I had never felt more free and excited about what the future held. We made 3 music videos for the album: 'Unwind,' 'The Girl in the Flower Dress,' and 'Will You Remember?' all received videos.

You can see the album credits in the MUSIC section of my website and check out the music videos in the VIDEO section of my website. I hope to do individual stories and meanings on my songs and videos in the future.

Your story is my story

Will Sims