“From soul to grit this band has a sound that touches on it all; the evolution of Willie and the Giant”
(Artist Report)
Written by: Cody Denning
What’s up everyone, today we are diving into the band Willie and the Giant. These guys formed in late 2013 in Nashville. The band was started by Will Stewart and Jon Poor, both originally from the Birmingham, Alabama music scene. They completed the lineup with bassist Grant Prettyman and drummer Mac Kramer. The name came from Stewart going by “Willie” and the towering Jon Poor earning the nickname “the Giant.”
In their early years, the band quickly built a reputation in Nashville for their with some incredible live shows and retro sound.
Drawing heavily from 1970s southern rock and soul sounds, the band focused on capturing a the real sounds of the room and giving the music that warm feeling. The kind that comes from old tape and tube amps. Their early EPs helped them gain local traction and grown the bands smooth soul vibe before they stepped into the studio to record their debut album.
The band’s breakthrough came with their self-titled debut album released in April 2015. Recorded mostly live at the analog studio Welcome to 1979, the record delivered dueling guitars, soulful vocals, and grooves that harkened back to classic rock and soul. Songs like “Loose Ends,” “Tullahoma,” and “Still The Same” show their ability to blend vintage and modern vibes and deliver it all with a feel good spirit.
Willie and the Giant continued building their catalog with the 2020 album Big Trouble, which expanded on their signature sound and brought in more of the gritty surf sound. Songs like “In The Middle” have a psychedelic jam aspect to them.
Their full discography also includes earlier EPs and singles such as “Ain’t Gonna Wait / Poor Boy” and “Work It Out,” showing the soul side of the band in their early years. The steady evolution of the band never strayed from their original rock roots.
Nashville’s rich musical heritage, long a hub for country, rock, and soul, provided the perfect backdrop for the band’s vintage-inspired sound. The city’s legendary studios and deep talent pool helped shape their analog approach and live-first philosophy.
It all seems to be working well, the approach breaks down to a truly authentic sound and a band that has the ability to create a special vibe in any size room. Currently, Willie and the Giant continue to perform, they remain a fixture in the Nashville scene with regular live activity.
Not much movement on social media platforms, we sent them a email for comment on any new tours or album on the horizon, we will bring you an update if they get back to us. For now that’s it on Willie and the Giant. Stick with us on Soundwave for deep dives into some of the most incredible minds in music. Support what we do, get a shirt! Never stop rocking.
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Written By: Cody Denning
(Report)
(Sources)
Website/EPK/Contact,
Spotify,
Youtube,
Meta,
Billboard Nashville,
Welcome to 1979 Studio Archives,
Bandcamp,
Nashville Scene,
The Tennessean,
Pitchfork Album Reviews,
AllMusic Discography,
Local Nashville Music Blogs,
Southern Rock Archives,
Alabama Music Scene,
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