Today, Austin-based singer-songwriter William Harries Graham shares “Philadelphia,” the third single from his upcoming album Annie’s House, due out October 25 via Strolling Bones Records. “Philadelphia” captures the bittersweet feeling of looking back on youth without longing for it, embracing life’s beauty at all different stages. Americana Highways featured the track, calling it a “powerful song of youthful excesses” and praised William’s “commanding and provocative raw talent.”
Watch The Official Video For “Philadelphia”
Stream “Philadelphia”
Pre-order Annie’s House
“‘Philadelphia’ really is a song about looking back at the life you had when you were young and could do anything, but not missing it,” Graham explains about the track. “There is something nostalgic about that youth, but this song is about finding joy in every stage of life.”
“Philadelphia” follows the recent releases “On The Outside” and “Ohio State,” the album’s lead single which encapsulates the thematic exploration of love, nostalgia, and personal growth in Annie’s House. The tracks were praised by Glide, Magnet Magazine, and Atwood Magazine, who wrote “each song is like a zoomed-in snapshot as though eavesdropping on people in the intimacy of their quotidien."
The album itself isn’t based on one single person or event in Graham’s life. Instead, it tells a thematic story of love, growing up, and getting older. Each track helps paint the portrait that ultimately becomes Annie’s House, with every song offering a small snapshot of Graham’s reflections on life and relationships.
A product of the vibrant Austin scene, Graham gravitated towards music instantly. His father, Jon Dee Graham, is a respected musician and singer-songwriter in his own right, known for his work in groups like The Skunks and the True Believers. Hailed as a prodigy in his early teens by acclaimed music critic Michael Corcoran, William played his first gig at age 6 at the Austin Music Awards - to a crowd of over 1,000.
Absorbing as much inspiration as possible, Graham poured over records by everyone from Gregory Alan Isakov to Julian Lage. Penning original music and playing around town, William cut his teeth over countless shows at coffee shops, bars, and “everywhere in between” before finally releasing his debut album in 2015, Foreign Fields, garnering acclaim from No Depression and Austin American-Statesman.
Graham’s two most recent releases, there are only endings (2023,) and JAKES (2019) impressed the likes of NPR Music and The Austin Chronicle which praised his songwriting as being “a gloomy but freeing ode to lost love.” He has shined on stage at SXSW, where he was named one of the Best Acts of the Year by the New York Times, and played on bills with artists including Arcade Fire, Los Lonely Boys, and James McMurtry.
As William Harries Graham invites listeners into Annie's House, he aims to evoke reflection and connection. “When people hear this album, I want them to walk away from it with some reflection on their own lives and experiences.” He says. “The music that I personally connect with is always music where I see some part of myself in it. I hope you see yourself in Annie's House.”
Annie’s House Tracklist
1. Yourself
2. Annie, Are You There?
3. Brooklyn
4. Ohio State
5. George And Steve
6. On The Outside
7. Maybe That’s The Way To Your Heart
8. Philadelphia
9. Galway Coast
10. Same as When We Were Kids
