Three Songs Arranged for Cello, Guitar and Voice
The track was recorded in Brighton, at The Meeting house designed by Sir Basil Spence specifically for its acoustics. It was mixed and produced under the advise of Diana Stone from Brighton Small Pond Studios and cellist Hannah Sauvignon-Smythe.
Having a background in literature and poetry, music became second nature. William John Bishop is classically trained as a cellist and double bassist, learning acoustic guitar as a teenager. Influences include Laura Marling, Leonard Cohen and Bob Dylan. William writes on guitar and piano. Bishop is of Anglo-Swedish decent growing up in Kalmar and Oland before moving to London.
Delicate and melodic, he takes the structure of a classic love songs and focuses on the tear jerking lyrics, with gentle acoustic plucks to cushion his words. His soft vocals marry with the mood perfectly, and his emotional sincerity is both refreshing and admirable. Describing the inspirations behind the stunning single, he quotes “The songs are about a relationship; a way of describing what happens between two people”, a straightforward description, yet one that reflects the simplicity of pure romance.
Conversely, the song also deal with the process of recapitulation and coming to terms with the absence of a loved one or partner. The song has a simple structure - Bishop choosing not to write a chorus - which reflects the desire for closure in the part of the singer rather that something which can be repeated from memory.
The main focus of the lyrics is the notion that two people cannot ultimately be the same, even if in a relationship those boundaries between ourselves and our partners is blurred. Bishop illustrates this by using the image of Phosphorus and Hesperus, which were the names for Venus, before it was discovered that both names referred to the same star.
The song deals with the idea of self-realisation in love, with the realization that the end of a relationship leads to a deeper understanding of oneself.
The track was recorded in Brighton, at The Meeting house designed by Sir Basil Spence specifically for its acoustics. It was mixed and produced under the advise of Diana Stone from Brighton Small Pond Studios and cellist Hannah Sauvignon-Smythe.
Having a background in literature and poetry, music became second nature. William John Bishop is classically trained as a cellist and double bassist, learning acoustic guitar as a teenager. Influences include Laura Marling, Leonard Cohen and Bob Dylan. William writes on guitar and piano. Bishop is of Anglo-Swedish decent growing up in Kalmar and Oland before moving to London.
Delicate and melodic, he takes the structure of a classic love songs and focuses on the tear jerking lyrics, with gentle acoustic plucks to cushion his words. His soft vocals marry with the mood perfectly, and his emotional sincerity is both refreshing and admirable. Describing the inspirations behind the stunning single, he quotes “The songs are about a relationship; a way of describing what happens between two people”, a straightforward description, yet one that reflects the simplicity of pure romance.
Conversely, the song also deal with the process of recapitulation and coming to terms with the absence of a loved one or partner. The song has a simple structure - Bishop choosing not to write a chorus - which reflects the desire for closure in the part of the singer rather that something which can be repeated from memory.
The main focus of the lyrics is the notion that two people cannot ultimately be the same, even if in a relationship those boundaries between ourselves and our partners is blurred. Bishop illustrates this by using the image of Phosphorus and Hesperus, which were the names for Venus, before it was discovered that both names referred to the same star.
The song deals with the idea of self-realisation in love, with the realization that the end of a relationship leads to a deeper understanding of oneself.
'Powerful delivery of lyrics. Abstract but in a good way. The song’s lyrics were deep.’
Eric McLellan (Warner Brothers Records)
Artist Biography
Having a background in literature and poetry, music became second nature. William John Bishop is classically trained as a cellist and double bassist, learning acoustic guitar as a teenager. Influences include Laura Marling, Leonard Cohen and Bob Dylan. William writes on guitar and piano.
Early Life
William was born in London, attending the Haberdashers Askes' School for Boys where he learned cello and double bass, performing predominantly orchestral works. In London he learned to play guitar wanting to write his own songs and music.
William moved to Brighton, where his academic text The Love Looks Not With The Eyes But With The Mind was published. He then recorded his first EP, Second Time Around, given critical acclaim by music journalist Bob Leggitt.
Early Career
After signing to KDigital Media and AWAL (now part of Sony Music Group) Bishop recorded three full length studio albums, each on guitar and piano. His breakthrough single was released in January 2021, receiving critical acclaim from music journalists and airplay from national and international radio stations as well as extensive mainstream media coverage. His writing in journal and article form is published widely, and has contributed performances to the degree courses at University Department of film, media and television, while in Yorkshire recording waves on Wire. In 2021 he performed at the Brighton Fringe and Live at Heart music festivals.
Comments