Billy Davis

Melbourne artist and pioneer of the local R&B and neo-soul scene Billy Davis has released his much anticipated sophomore album THIS IS WHAT’S IMPORTANT via Sony Music Entertainment Australia.

Opening up the record, Billy’s stunning piano playing takes centre stage. His chords traversing a delicate balance of soul and tempo. If you’ve ever had the pleasure of watching Billy in his zone, you’ll see a musical genius in play. Ever humble, Billy is quick to deny the compliment. Since Grade 5 he has been playing the piano, “My Mum tried me out on the drums, decided it was far too loud and so she got me on the piano.”

His late Mum’s influence is a strong overarching theme of the record, as it explores themes of family, fear, death, life, love, hope and as the name suggests, the notion of what’s important. Ask Billy what’s important now and he’s clear: family, friends and God. But just a few years ago, swept up in making music with global stars, Billy is the first to admit he lost sight of it all and became someone he wasn’t, or in his words “a real douchebag”.

There are more upbeat moments on the record, with big horns and rap, such as ‘Wilderness’ which features Phoelix, the Chicago-based producer, instrumentalist, and vocalist (Noname, Saba and Smino), Jordan Dennis and EMRSN, ‘I Ain’t’ featuring Grammy Winning  PJ Morton and Jordan Dennis, ‘Headspace’ (feat. Jordan Dennis & KYE) and ‘Shoulda Known’ ft. American R&B sister duo VanJess and Matt McGhee .  As well as more introspective tracks like ‘This Is What’s Important’ and ‘With Me or Not’ with Aodhan King, David Ware and Guvna B and recently released track ‘Dream No More’ featuring Ruel and Gensis Owusu. 

As Pilerats describes it, “regardless of what sound Billy attempts, he nails it out the park, and that’s something that’s held true since day dot. It’s also an example of how Billy works as a songwriter, masking vulnerability and emotive lyricism underneath accessible hooks and shimmering productions that sweep you off your feet.”

THIS IS WHAT’S IMPORTANT is the follow up from his stellar 2017 debut album A FAMILY PORTRAIT which featured break out singles ‘No Longer Lovers’, ‘Ball and Chain’ and ‘Goldfish’ featuring acclaimed American rapper Denzel Curry.

On the album, Billy says, “This album is a culmination of 3 years of emotions, the highs and the lows, the joys and the sorrows, the ups and downs. Certain songs represent periods of my life, whether that be in the features, the lyrics or the influence.”

Those influences are just as eclectic as Billy’s sound – whilst creating the record he was listening to the likes of The Internet, Moonchild, Phony pplb and Mac Ayres to name a few. He also drew inspiration from Doobie Brothers, who his Uncle introduced to him as a child.

‘I Ain’t’ follows previous singles ‘Wilderness’ (feat. Phoelix, Jordan Dennis and EMRSN’), ‘Headspace’ (feat. Jordan Dennis & KYE) and ‘Shoulda Known’ ft. American R&B sister duo VanJess and Matt McGhee. The Billy Davis ‘Headspace’ remix featuring Nadine Lustre, Curtismith and Massiah shot to #1 in The Philippines and is still in the top 5 most played on Pop radio.

Billy has amassed over 12 million combined streams and received accolades from Hypebeast, Sneaker Freaker, High Snobiety, Okay Player, LNWY, Acclaim, Purple Sneakers, Beat Magazine, Complex AU and Red Bull Music, as well as Australian national broadcaster triple j and Beats 1.

Billy Davis’s unique sound, positive approach, and sheer drive quickly piqued the interest of international artists, who have become not just contemporaries but friends. He’s collaborated with the likes of Goldlink, Brockhampton, Tones And I, Amy Shark, music directing and performing with them on triple j’s Like A Version, as well as music directing and performing in Goldlink’s NPR Tiny Desk. Billy previously reworked Ruel’s standout single ‘Not Thinkin’ Bout You’. Watch the video HERE. 

Along with building up a global network of creative collaborators, Billy has shared the stage with Anderson Paak, NoName, Thundamentals, Ruel, Jessica Mauboy and Blackalicious, played at Australia’s most recognised festivals including Let Them Eat Cake, Golden Plains, Laneway Festival, and Lost Paradise.

A musical juggernaut, Billy’s band The Good Lords is constantly evolving, morphing, and expanding, and features up to 11 members on stage at any given moment. Collaboration, with his band and other artists, it at the heart of everything he does.