There's something about rock and metal meeting classical music that's almost obligatory for many bands and even fans. Sometimes it's a subtle influence, other times it's a pure combination of these genres. But what about when it's a bit of both mixed into a unique, dark, and delicate sound? That's the case with AA Williams.
As The Moon Rests, on October 7th . This work follows her debut album , Forever Blues (2020), and a covers album, Songs From Isolation (2021).
As The Moon Rests features eleven tracks that, like their debut, present a sophisticated blend of heaviness, melancholy, and delicacy. In an interview with Wikimetal , Williams said that Deftones was one of the inspirations for creating a different mix of sounds. "They were one of a whole group of artists that made me realize there was music beyond classical and pop," he said.
“I discovered a lot of heavy music from movies and I would go to my local record stores to explore the artists I heard, look for their albums, read their lyrics – it was a gradual process of discovery,” he explains about the creation of his sound.
Williams began playing piano at a very young age and gradually picked up other instruments such as the cello and flute. But it was when she discovered the guitar that she felt inspired to compose her own music. "I was inspired to write songs as a way to learn the instrument [guitar], and that's how I started singing as well."
Today, his inspirations and influences come from many different sources. Besides music itself, which includes bands like Nine Inch Nails, Portishead, Type O Negative, Radiohead , and Cult of Luna, Williams finds inspiration in films and art in general. "I think all forms of art can feed off each other, so I imagine those influences play a role in my writing to some extent, though not consciously."
In addition to all of this, classical music, as well as heavy and alternative music, continues to be one of her main ways of absorbing and creating music. Based on more classical instruments, the singer says that all her musical education inspired her to create as she does today. “I listen to a lot of classical music. I think a lot of the influence comes from there, the subtle textures, the dynamic variation, sometimes giving importance to the sum of the musical parts instead of something individual.”
The importance of classical music in her life and music is clear, as Williams recently performed at Queen Elizabeth Hall in London with a string quartet. The performance marked a special moment for the singer, who loves performing in venues accustomed to hosting classical music.
“I love it when that happens, but playing in a venue that’s predominantly geared towards classical music doesn’t happen that often. Sometimes on a tour there will be some seated venues, but they tend to be old theatre spaces, so when I work in a venue like the Queen Elizabeth Hall, it brings my musical development full circle.”
Currently, Williams is on tour promoting her album, which will give her time away from the studio, but the creative flame hasn't gone out. In three years, the Londoner has released three albums – one of them a covers album. She said she enjoys being busy creating and writing. Regarding her creative process, Williams seems methodical in the best sense of the word.
“I always start by writing a basic version of a song just for voice and guitar/piano,” she said. “From there I work on the structure, harmony and secondary melodies until I’m happy, then I start adding some basic bits of instrumentation to indicate changes in texture (distorted rhythm guitars, subs, tremolo guitar or keyboard melodies).”
She continues: “From this point on, it’s about confirming the instrumental parts and adding the backing vocals and string arrangements. The finished demos are a very detailed draft of the final song – few changes between this and the released version. When I go into the studio, it’s a case of re-recording all the parts with better tones, better equipment and better performances – many of the little things I added in the demo stage remain (small textures and parts that you only notice when you listen carefully).”
The process, as laborious as it seems, is one of AA Williams' favorite parts, but being on the road taking her music to places beyond the studio is something she wouldn't trade for anything. Currently on tour, the singer is preparing for the performances, leaving new compositions for the future.
Williams travels captivating thousands of people with his angelic voice, his heavy yet delicate sound, and his album, As The Moon Rests.