Alone with the Sound the Mind Makes

Cheers!

Plastic Eyes

Note from Will: Creative expression is essential, as are our oceans and whales. All proceeds from this record and merch will go directly to my dear friends at Oceanic Preservation Society (the film, The Cove). My vision is to encourage other creatives (with the necessary means) to release their art in support of the causes that they care most about to both increase awareness of and donations to organizations doing important work. Let’s create, and find new ways to connect with our greater community.

oceanicpreservationsociety.funraise.org/fundraiser/will-boesl

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Will the Whale is the solo project of Will Boesl, a child of a child of the sixties. Their sound is gentle and kind, with songs born from their meditation practice and filtered through their love of sixties folk rock and psychedelia.

Only Things of the Heart Remain is a 10-song journey with some old and some new. Will’s simple yet memorable melodies float softly among a bed of acoustics, bass, and drums. Accents of pedal steel, dobro, electric guitars, and harmonies help bring the songs to life. Lyrically, Will dances within the realm of spirituality as the theme of the album title grounds the songs as a whole: when all else falls away, only things of the heart remain. This album is dedicated to all people who feel deeply and have a need to express themselves. This is a celebration of authentic expression of the genuine, true self.
credits
releases February 24, 2023

Written by Will Boesl (+ Andy Lane in track 1)
Produced by Bennett Littlejohn
Recorded at Littlebone Studio in Asheville, NC
Mixed & mastered by Bennett Littlejohn
Guitar, drums, harmonica, keys, vocals by Will Boesl
Bass, guitar, pedal steel, dobro, keys by Bennett Littlejohn
Album artwork by Jacob Elkins

Special thanks to Lizzy, Andy, Ryan x2, Jacob, Caterpillar, James, Matt, Helyn + Song Circle, Dr. Bone+Julie+Chipper, Brian, Harmon, Wednesday Meditation Group + Friday Creativity Group, Dina, Melissa, mom + dad, and OPS

The Way

All This Noise

archetype

Blue

Artwork: Iris Legendre
www.irislegendre.com/

Co-production: Mark Gage

Lyrics:
Locking eyes with a foe in a floral blue dress
A grin, a name, a weight in the glance, a whirl of ideas
Civilised in person, raw in retreat
Upbahpbahpbahpbahp-biased to ever stop hinting a spark

Distressed sermon, free rogue vermin
Do you wonder? Leave distance?
Hope you feel the parting breath

I’m searching the depths of a faith long lost
All aboard the loco motive, fear not losing track

Any arrow in the heart, just to feel it
Shock of pain into a darkness, numbness

Arrow

This album came together in a simple, very human way: ideas jotted in computer notes, riffs captured on Voice Memos, then shaped into real songs. After talking with John Michael about keeping a solo album focused, I aimed for ten tracks — tight enough to listen to in one sitting, and honest enough to reflect the times we’re living in. These songs grew from recent thoughts in what feels like the most difficult stretch of my lifetime: moody but fun, dark and rough around the edges, yet driven by hooks and catchy lines.

A few plans to record with friends fell through, so I ended up writing, recording, and producing the whole album myself — with one beautiful exception: “NOPE.” I posted a verse on Facebook, Patrick True and Deej Davis jumped in with verses of their own, and the song turned into a real-time, long-distance collaboration. Neil Bettencourt later added drums, giving it extra lift and urgency. The record lands right where I hoped: one slow tune, a few mid-tempo, mostly uptempo, some “oooohs” and “la la la’s,” a touch of reggae-ish flavor, and a lot of heart.

Written, recorded, and produced by Greg Brown.
10 songs / 32:10.
Thanks for listening — I hope this feels like a journey that holds onto hope, even in times like these.

Blue

Kyrill