Serious Songwriter: Will Dailey
Will Dailey
Location:
Los Angeles, California, USA
Tell us about yourself:
Hey! I’m Will Dailey and I’m a 23-year-old songwriter, producer and artist from New York. I grew up playing in bands and take inspiration from artists like the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Jon Bellion. After graduating from the Clive Davis Institute at NYU last May, I relocated to LA where I currently live and work.
Your most recent release:
Why are you a songwriter?
It gives me a sense of purpose...I started writing songs when I was 11 and fell in love with it. Music gave me a whole new language to express my thoughts and feelings, and it felt so right to the point that pursuing anything else as a career felt wrong.
What accomplishment are you most proud of?:
Developing and producing my friend Jack Kennedy’s artist project. He’s incredibly talented and I’m excited to keep growing with him.
Share the most interesting writing experience you ever had:
One time a couple of years ago I had a session where we were writing for a J-Pop girl group...I had been put in touch with a Japanese A&R who was visiting NY for a couple days, and when he showed up to my apartment for the session I thought he was a character out of the Sims. A glitch in the simulation. The guy spoke pretty good English, but he spent the entire session just sitting on my couch, on his laptop with his headphones in. I had prepared a few different tracks before the session, and after listening he chose the one that referenced “Level Up” by Ciara. That left the other writer (Gabi) and me to try and write this uptempo, dance-y, pseudo-trap song that wasn’t at all matching the energy in the room. She started writing down a long list of potential titles, and of course the one the A&R liked the most was called “BEAT IT UP”….I don’t think he understood the reasons that title could be problematic given the type of act this was for. But honestly, even though it was kind of a sh*tshow, the session ended up being pretty entertaining. The weirdest part of the whole thing is that once the song was done (and let me tell you, it was not good), he loved it. Unfortunately the girl group's A&R did not. So the song never got cut, but it turned out to be a great bonding experience for Gabi and me.
What makes you unique as a songwriter?:
I think that unlike writers who would say they’re mainly topliners or producers, I can do a lot of different things well. I sing, play multiple instruments, and produce in both Logic and Ableton.
If you could write with anyone (dead or alive) who would it be and why?:
John Frusciante (guitarist from the Red Hot Chili Peppers). That guy inspired the way I think about, perform, and create music. No one has had a bigger impact on me musically than him. Honorary Mention: Max Martin
How can the Serious Songwriter community help you?
In July 30 I’ll be releasing a single as an artist for the first time in almost 8 years. It would mean the world to me if you could give it a listen when it comes out.
What can you help the Serious Songwriter community with?
If you need help finishing productions or would like feedback on anything please feel free to hit me up! I also do freelance mixing and vocal work (tuning, timing, etc.).
Fun fact about you:
I’m left-handed...but I play guitar right-handed. 😈