We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Will Preston a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Will, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

It’s a really interesting question. My journey as a recording artist and songwriter came from my love of music. It wasn’t something that I necessarily made a commitment to pursuing. I don’t think there was a first time moment in that sense because I’ve always been singing . Realizing that others appreciated and wanted to support my music was probably the motivation to pursue music professionally. It’s very gratifying when someone expresses that your voice or a song that you’ve written has resonated with them. It adds a little more fuel to your flame. I think of songs I’ve written like, “Candy Coated Raindrops” where people share that my lyrics convey the exact love that they desire or have found. And then there are songs like, “The End” that deal with a sadder element of love where the relationship is ending. It’s not joyous, but it’s relatable for a lot of people. Those stories and the dedication of fans motivate me, but if I were on an island alone, I’m sure I’d be just as happy writing and singing for myself.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My journey in music has been driven by a genuine love for blending infectious melodies with compelling stories. I don’t recall not having a passion for music. Growing up, I gravitated to music. I loved listening to the radio, My grandmother had a large record collection, which captivated me very early on. She loved Aretha Franklin, Smoky Robinson, Al Green, Ohio Players, Gladys Knight, The Pointer Sisters, Marvin Gaye, and so many others. That’s the good music that I was exposed to. It always stayed with me as I grew. I recall during college, how I would get excited on Tuesdays. Back then, that’s when artists would release new music, so spending time at Tower Records every Tuesday was an essential part of my college years. I would head over to Tower Records and visit the listening stations to check out the new releases and then sit and read the latest issue of Billboard Magazine. This was all long before I ever became serious about making my own recordings, but looking back I see all of the pieces in what would eventually complete the puzzle.

My career is steeped with a passion for creating music that people can feel and relate to, Whether it’s the highs of love or the introspective moments that make us who we are, I want to offer that connection through my music. I believe my music explores life’s nuances in an honest, relatable way. I strive to give listeners songs that resonate with their own experiences, something I believe is especially important in the world of R&B and pop, which has a long tradition of conveying complex emotions through rich melodies and heartfelt lyrics.

One aspect of my music that I’m proud of is its ability to dig deep into emotions and bring to life the complex and often unspoken aspects of relationships and self-discovery. I’ve crafted a style that doesn’t shy away from the rawness of love, heartbreak, or vulnerability. This comes through in songs like my single “Merry Go Round,” where you explore the cyclical nature of toxic love—a theme that resonates deeply with listeners who have been through that kind of struggle.

Lyrically, I’m intentional to go beyond surface-level love stories. The goal is to connect with people on a personal level. You can’t accomplish that by being afraid to explore the other side of love as well. Musically, because there are so many artists and genres that I grew up enjoying, my style combines the obvious soulful roots of R&B and pop rhythms, but is inclusive of many other genres as well.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

I’ve been intentional about a lot of things as it relates to creating music. It must feel right. I’m a better artist if I can connect with the melody or even the lyrics in some instances. If I were asked who I’m create music for, the answer would be me. That’s always been my answer. If I love it, it’s a go. When you’re operating from a place of passion, it’s not about writing for a fan, or wondering if you can craft a hit that someone else will love. I tend to believe that people who follow and support my music do so because they’ve connected with my authenticity. I’ve watched my following grow over the years, and it’s been exciting to embrace the appreciation that others have for my artistry. I’ve been fortunate to share music with people all over the world. It’s wild to think that someone, somewhere in Japan is probably listening to one of my songs right now while someone else in Germany is playing a different one. My growth has been organic. Taking time to build relationships with music lovers and delivering quality music continues to be a winning formula.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

Blink by Malcolm Gladwell was impactful on my journey, especially in how I view my instincts and decision-making as a singer/songwriter and entrepreneur. The book explores the idea of making snap judgments and trusting those intuitive insights. Reading it gave me confidence in the creative choices I make in music, and it underscored the importance of trusting that inner voice. In music, so much is about feeling; it’s instinctual, and Blink helped me recognize that intuition can be just as powerful and reliable as meticulous planning. This realization drove me to pursue music more fearlessly, without overthinking every step.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.willpreston.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewillpreston/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/willprestonmusic
• Twitter: https://x.com/thewillpreston
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewillpreston

Image Credits

West King Entertainment