Recorded and produced in Manchester by the multi-instrumentalist and multi-talented artist James Holt and Mastered at Abbey Road Studios by Frank Arkwright. ’SILENT FRIENDS’ is a melodic world aware ballad that carries the listener on a journey of rhythmic elegance, first drawing them in with the moody eeriness of wine glasses. With his sharp hazy vocals accompanying the acoustic guitar from the off set, William warms up the notion of taking a visual moment in time and creating a melody to fit the feeling. With the bridge and first chorus Les-Paul resembling a sound from The Beatles 'Happiness Is A Warm Gun', with off beat bass plunges and echos of grand piano this modern Artic Monkey-esque debut single punches the heart strings and not so distant memories of the post pandemic listener. Ending with a waltz like solo and soothing final verse speaking the realities of modern truths, 'Silent Friends' really touches the soul of what William saw that evening in IKEA when the song was written on the eve of the UK’s second national lockdown in 2020. Turning a visualisation of inspiration from the deaf community and societies separations into a musical journey bound by story telling.

Silent Friends

Singer-Songwriter Story Teller 

Silent Friends' is the debut single by London based artist William Bliss. Recorded and produced in Manchester by the multi-instrumentalist James Holt and Mastered at Abbey Road Studios by Frank Arkwright. ’Silent Friends’ is a melodic observation of reality that carries the listener on a journey of rhythmic elegance. With Williams sharp hazy vocals accompanying the consistently charming acoustic guitar. William warms up the notion of taking a visual moment in time and creating a melody to fit the feeling. With the bridge and first chorus Les-Paul echoing a sound from The Beatles - Happiness Is A Warm Gun, with off beat bass and plunges of grand piano this modern Artic Monkey-esque debut single punches the heart strings of the post pandemic listener. Ending with a waltz like solo and soothing final verse speaking of realities modern truths. ’Silent Friends’ is an ode to what William saw when he wrote the song on the eve of the UK’s second national lockdown in 2020. 

Despite the anxiety we all shared of those times during the pandemic this was an exceptionally inspiring evening for William. As he sat in the living rooms and kitchens of the make-believe world at IKEA, letting his imagination wonder, William noticed a group of deaf young adults that were laughing and joking using BSL. Bewitched by their camaraderie, joy and elegance of the dancing way they communicated. William noticed a relief in their laughter and was motivated to write a song. ‘Silent Friends’ was born. 

Continuing on his journey to bring what he witnessed to life, William was granted the keys to IKEA. In his plan William wanted to incorporate dance into the story, visualising dancers traversing the halls we all know and love. William contacted the Deaf Talent Collective who recommended the exceptionally talented dancers, Sarah Adedeji And Lydia Mackett. Collaborating with the director Luke Farley and Director of photography Matthew Hooch, whilst taking producer duties on himself, the team was complete. 

William and the team shot the video in an empty store in the early hours of the morning. What they created was truly magical. William immersed himself within the evening he first witnessed those teenagers in the halls of IKEA, a place where imaginations wonder and families dream.

William Bliss

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