BIO
Hayward Williams is a veteran singer/songwriter from Milwaukee, WI. With six full length records under his belt, Williams is set to release his latest effort: Every Color Blue. A Soul record of the highest order in a time when Soul is needed the most.
Growing up in Wisconsin in the 80's and 90's convinced Hayward Williams to search for something more out there in the world. Foregoing higher education, he joined a band and learned much about what to do and what not to do in the Midwest music scene. Playing in pubs for many years , getting thick skin and finding a notably sharp tongue, avenues opened up to Williams. Headlining European tours, major US festivals and a few trips to Australia later, Hayward has carved out an impressive niche in the folk music business.
Williams' The Reef, was produced by venerated songwriter, friend and collaborator Jeffrey Foucault. Utilizing an impressive rhythm section of Billy Conway (Morphine) on drums and Jeremy Moses Curtis (Booker T, Levon Helm, Session Americana) on bass, The Reef is an unequaled Americana record with soaring vocals and hooks that dig in deep. "The surprisingly soulful voice of Milwaukee-based singer/songwriter Hayward Williams emanates from a slight, almost unassuming figure, yet that voice is imbued with so much power, it's difficult to imagine it coming from anywhere other than midway between Memphis and Muscle Shoals... The Reef is an album to return to again and again." - Allan Wilkinson, Northern Sky Magazine (UK)
MIGHT AS WELL TURN IT UP was recorded in Hayward's basement studio that was built in part because his father in-law couldn't stop a pandemic. Hayward appreciates Chuck's love-language.
“"Often dark, always honest and in the groove, Williams continues to break new ground in new traditional folk rock. There’s a ghostly spirit that floats through the songs on “Pretenders.” Williams is a wary caretaker of those spirits. His songs brim with the smoke and mirror lyricism of Leonard Cohen—with the rocker’s heart of Neil Young." ” - ANDY MOORE
— THE ISTHMUS
“Williams is a strong singer-songwriter with seven albums to his name, but even by his high standards, "Blue" is a golden collection, his voice, heavy and light in one breath, emboldened by assuring church organ on "If You Want Me to Beg" and Memphis soul horns on "Paradise Springs" — and launching him closer to the Springsteen stratosphere than ever before.” - Piet Levy
“Williams is a gifted singer-songwriter, a strong solo performer as at home with a mic and a guitar as any other setting. The new album showcases his music in the hands of what sounds like a Northern version of a Stax session band.” - ANDY MOORE
“...a beautifully wrought and soulful album.” - VICTOR INFANTE
“Hayward Williams’ voice has that wonderful quality that draws people in from the next room to ask Who is that?... I will put this vocal (Fades Away) up against any track by the Great Ones, including Roy Orbison.” - Darrel Norman
“Williams didn’t just make the most of a stressful time with Every Color Blue. He also quite possibly made his best record yet.” - Tyler Maas