Guitar Virtuoso DJ Williams Embarks on 26-Date Solo Summer Tour, Showcasing Latest Album ‘By Way of RVA’”

Article Contributed by Win-Win PR | Published on Sunday, May 5, 2024

DJ Williams, the electric guitarist, songwriter, and producer known for his explosive live performances and groundbreaking musical style, announces his eagerly awaited 26-night summer tour. This announcement comes on the heels of a successful 21-date spring tour, as Williams takes the stage in celebration of his latest album, By Way of RVA, an evocative tribute to Richmond, VA, where he refined his eclectic musical prowess.

Celebrated for his dynamic stage presence, Williams is set to deliver an unmatched live music experience with the DJ Williams Band as they journey across the United States. Premier Guitar hails him as “… a monster… an inventive, effective, and ear-catching soloist, armed with a warm tone and superior chops.” The tour kicks off on May 3rd in New Orleans at Le Bon Temps Roule, aligning with the New Orleans Jazz Fest After Dark, and concludes on July 13th in Williams’ native Colorado, at Goose Station in Golden.

The band’s lineup for the summer includes the exceptional talents of drummer Ben Atkind, formerly of the popular jam band Goose; Steph Orsini handling the bass; and Macon Mann on keyboards. “Ben’s addition has been fantastic; he brings a tremendous energy that enhances our live sound,” remarks Williams. The set list spans across Williams’ recent projects, reflecting his musical journeys, experiences, and the magic that comes from a life dedicated to music on the road.

Williams shares insights into the upcoming shows, “Expect a vibrant mix of tracks from my last four records. The tours have really tightened our performance and focus. Particularly, “‘Fade Away,’ the lead track from By Way of RVA, really lifts up the audience. This EP moves towards a grittier sound that I’m really loving.”

Released on his own label, Projekt Records, in spring, the six-track EP is a tour-de-force of Williams’ musical ingenuity, fusing funk, rock, and soul into a mesmerizing sonic experience.

Discussing the new album, Williams reveals, “I knew I wanted to lay down some ideas immediately after finishing ‘Soldier Of Love,’” the last record he dropped in June of 2023 (the album title track features DJ Harrison, Adam Deitch, and Kanika Moore). “The creative process really kicked in once I forced myself to start the RVA project. Suddenly, everything began to flow effortlessly.” Williams impressively plays all the instruments on By Way of RVA, including the drums, bass, guitar, keyboards, and synths. “This album reflects my deep connection to Richmond. It shaped my sound and influenced my broad palette of musical styles.”

Creating By Way Of RVA was a personal and intensive endeavor for Williams, who recorded and mixed the album in his home studio. “I set up my drums in a walk-in closet and cut some vocals in the shower for that natural reverb. It was a thrilling challenge to handle everything myself,” Williams explains. The album was mastered by Doug Krebs, ensuring top-notch sound quality.

Williams also delved into the complexities of mixing the album, sharing his approach to enriching the sound. “I layered about 22 vocal tracks on our cover of Nirvana’s ‘Heart-Shaped Box’. It’s inspired by those lush Brian Wilson productions. I experimented a lot, especially with the orchestral synth arrangements on the title track,” he notes.

Lyrically, the album explores themes of introspection and personal evolution. “Lyrical content is a new frontier for me, and I’m embracing the challenge to express more vulnerability.” His catchy song “Mr. Nobody” addresses the paradox of an introvert thriving in the extroverted world of music. “That song is the mask that I wear to do the song and dance of being in the spotlight. Originally, it started as a joke but now it’s my favorite song on the album,” says Williams. “And ‘Fade Away’ starts with ‘Welcome to my life!’ because these songs are very personal to me. They’re small windows into my life because I’m not ready for big ones yet.”

Born in Plainfield, NJ, and raised in Richmond, VA, Williams was captivated by music from the very start, hitting his first piano note at the ripe age of four.

“We had a dedicated room in my house growing up specifically for music, reading, and art.” His musical palette was shaped by an eclectic mix of vinyl records ranging from Curtis Mayfield and Stevie Wonder to The Beatles, James Brown, and Chaka Khan, which he listened to alongside his sister. “My older sister turned me on to Fishbone, Led Zeppelin, George Clinton, Bad Brains, stuff like that…then my adolescence brought me Nirvana, Tribe Called Quest, Digable Planets, Radiohead, TOOL, and Dr. Dre.” As he matured, his tastes expanded into the realms of jazz, appreciating legends like Miles Davis and Thelonious Monk, always drawn to music that stirred deep emotions within him.

Fast forward to the present, Williams has carved a name for himself in the touring circuit as the lead guitarist for Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe and touring with his eclectic Richmond, VA, funk outfit, DJ Williams Projekt. His fleet-fingered playing has captured the hearts of music lovers across the globe, gracing both intimate small rock venues to large, prestigious music festivals spanning the US, Canada, and Europe.

Having shared stages with music legends such as John Legend, Dave Matthews Band, George Clinton, John Oates, Warren Haynes, Ivan Neville, Big Daddy Kane, Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings, Soulive, Levon Helm, Slightly Stoopid, Robert Randolph, Slick Rick, George Clinton, and playing guitar for world renowned comedian Hannibal Burress on Hannibal’s comedy tour, Williams continues to leave an indelible mark on the music scene.

By Way Of RVA Track List

Fade Away

Burnin’ Ash

By Way of RVA

Mr. Nobody

Heart-Shaped Box

Turn of Events

To catch the latest from DJ Williams and buy tickets, visit his official website at www.djwilliamsmusic.com

DJ Williams Summer Tour:

May 3 Le Bon Temps Roule - New Orleans, LA [tickets]

May 5 Toulouse Theater - New Orleans, LA [tickets]

May 24 Cervantes - Denver, CO [tickets]