Billy Lawler
Los Angeles, CA | Established. Jan 01, 2015 | SELF
Music
Press
Sacramento native Billy Lawler didn’t have much of a local music career. He was one of those secret-bedroom-project types. Then, two friends who had encouraged him to share his talent suddenly passed away, and he felt the need to honor those wishes. Now, he’s making a go at fame in Los Angeles. If Sam Smith’s success is any indication, Lawler definitely has a shot—with his soulful croon and piano-pop ballads, Lawler would make any Smith fan swoon. He’s working on his debut EP, but his first single “Casualty” is so Sam Smith: R&B influence, sparse instrumentation, emotional falsetto and just plain prettiness. 2733 Riverside Boulevard, www.billylawler.com. - Sacramento News & Review
Material: Up-and-coming pop/R&B artist Billy Lawler has gained recognition for his profound and heartfelt songwriting, and it shows in his debut single “Casualty.” Lawler successfully conveys the kind of earth-shattering heartbreak that most people experience on the way to finding their other half, with lyrics so realistic that the audience had experienced his pain with him. Lawler is willing to strike a deep chord straight out of the gate. Choosing “Casualty” as his first release is a clear indicator of this new artist’s boldness.
Musicianship: Lawler has strong musical characteristics that are reminiscent of Donny Hathaway, Ryan Tedder, John Legend and Sam Smith. His beautiful fluency on the piano combined with passionate, reflective lyrics give Lawler free range to take his vocals and overall musicality anywhere.
He tastefully fuses R&B/soul with contemporary pop and a hint of indie alternative, a task so rarely achieved with ease. It’s clear that he knows exactly what kind of music he wants to release and he’s determined to make his name known without being too forceful.
Performance: The artist has an incredible stage presence for a singer/songwriter pianist. He makes it a point to scan his crowd and make eye contact with every single person in the audience, something that tends to be difficult when playing the keyboard.
Despite being a new artist, Lawler proved to be fearless on stage, showcasing his emotional side through his somewhat dark, moody original songs.
His performance style was a perfect fit for the Hollywood Lounge inside The Viper Room, as its great Surround-Sound feel served to intensify his music to the point of being able to actually feel the song’s subject matter. It was utter delight to be a witness to Lawler’s soulful and incredibly moving performance.
Summary: It’s always commendable to see a performer who’s able to air not only his grievances but his darkest thoughts. Billy Lawler is not afraid to tell his stories for the world to hear. A deep passion is apparent in both his recorded music and live performance.
At the same time, he has a humble demeanor that suggests he might not even realize how talented he is. He’s got the qualities to be the next best pop/R&B star and it will be exciting to see how he progresses.
Photo by Heather Allen
Venue: The Viper Room
City: West Hollywood, CA
Contact: contact@billylawler.com
Web: billylawler.com
The Players: Billy Lawler, vocals, keyboard. - Music Connection
Discography
Still working on that hot first release.
Photos
Bio
Described as a passionate artist who writes profound, soulful pop music, up-and-coming singer-songwriter Billy Lawler echoes the pure emotion of Donny Hathaway with a voice that is drawing comparisons to Sam Smith and Stevie Wonder. Originally from Sacramento, California, Billy began playing the piano at six years old and quickly developed immense passion and talent. It wasn't until he was studying classical and jazz piano in college that he started to pursue singing and craft his unique style. Inspired by everything from Motown and early R&B to 90s alternative rock, neo-soul, and pop, he wrote his first few songs, recorded them in his bedroom, and kept them to himself. Upon the sudden passing of two close friends who had encouraged him to share his songs, he performed live for the first time at one of their funerals and soon decided to let his own music be heard. Shortly after, Billy moved to Los Angeles where he has been writing music and performing, and continues to create a buzz around his identifiable and unexpected sound. He is currently working on his first EP, which will debut in summer of 2016.
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