@radiohead has always been a band I’ve had to work hard to fully appreciate the level of complexity and brilliance in so much of their work. They, perhaps more than any band in recent memory, continually challenge listeners to become comfortable with dissonance, discord, ambiguity, and non-linear structure. My personal tastes have always gravitated towards simple arrangements and readily understandable themes; it’s why the folk music of the 70s, 80s and 90s always spoke to me so well. But Radiohead forces you to listen over and over again, finding meaning in the subtle nuances of bizarre chord shapes, experimental sounds, and unique patterns. “Weird Fishes” spoke to me the first time I listened to In Rainbows, and stood out for its ability to convey blatant emotions around unusual chordal melodies. I very desperately wanted to discover my own version of this and enlisted the brilliant pianist @michaelflynnmusic to compose a piano-lead arrangement that honored the original chord structure but also gave a familiar feeling to my own work. @rosiethomasofficial ‘a gorgeous vocals as accompaniment add a potent sweetness and depth. Easily one of my favorite covers I’ve ever done. ...

@manchesterorchestra has been one of my favorite bands for many years. With the wonderful Andy Hull at the helm they have crafted album upon album of thought-provoking, catchy, powerful, and meaningful songs. They somehow manage to wed folk sensibilities with rock arrangements, creating something few bands, like the National and Bon Iver, have been able to do. Sleeper 1972 is a deeply personal song written about a dream of the author’s father dying. It is stark, powerful, and overwhelming. The imagery of a little girl standing beside a coffin, the grisly image of worms devouring the body; it’s not for the faint of heart. But it expresses the darkest thoughts we might carry about death in a beautiful way. I knew years ago I would eventually record my own version of this song, as it’s a fear I carry about my own family on a daily basis. I wanted to honor how important this band’s music has been for me personally, and also spend a few moments inside the mind of the writer. ...

I don’t have any memory of the first time I ever heard this absolute gem from @delamitriofficial , but I do recall thinking it was one of the most special songs I’d ever heard. Fitting well with my own penchant for songs about heartbreak, this masterpiece deals with the protagonist pleading with someone to communicate the most vital unsaid things he was never able to tell his love before she was gone. It’s a powerful reminder to appreciate the love we have while it’s within our grasp. Having played this song on my own for years on the guitar, I decided to create a spacious piano arrangement in order to more fully allow the listener to appreciate how well written it is lyrically. Gentle percussion and steel string guitars provides movement, but never at the expense of letting the words shine. There were so many songs from this era and band that deserved to be remembered, but this one stands high above to me. ...

A special message from William about today’s release of “Building A Mystery” in collaboration with @nettwerkmusic & @keepourclinics . ...

William’s version of @officialsarahmclachlan ‘s “Building A Mystery” is out today as a part of @nettwerkmusic ‘s “Broken Glass”, the first compilation from Nettwerk’s new social impact imprint called Goodwerks. This release supports reproductive rights, with a portion of all proceeds to be donated to the @keepourclinics campaign, the @abortioncarenetwork ‘s latest effort to protect access to care and support independent clinics across the country. Visit KeepOurClinics.org to learn more & donate, and listen to “Building A Mystery” at the link in bio. ...

One of my favorite experiences is discovering a fantastic musical artist by chance. This was the case when I first heard @jeremyzucker ‘s brilliant tune “Scared.” An infectious piano melody, beautiful vocals, and an elegant, efficient lyric which makes you feel something so deeply. This song accomplishes what so many writers try to with music; describe a universal feeling in a novel way. Who doesn’t understand the fear of commiting your heart to anothers? The unspoken anxiety of the “what if?” I was compelled to record this song simply because I have felt this same thing so many times throughout my life and the catharsis of singing these words somehow makes the experience more complete. ...

Like the famous scene in Say Anything in which Lloyd Dobbler blasts this glorious song of perfect love through a boombox into Diane’s bedroom window, “In Your Eyes” is a triumphant composition about the purest form of romantic devotion. As a teenager hearing Peter Gabriel’s tune on the radio, I had little idea of the peaks and valleys which I would eventually see in my later years through romantic involvement. But even then, I had the sense of what real love must feel like. I chose to undertake covering “In Your Eyes” in order to experience what it must have felt like for him to write those words and put them down onto tape. Rather than attempt to capture the fully epic nature of Gabriel’s production, I instead focused on the amazing piano and vocal melody, while still paying homage to the flowing percussion and intricate background arrangements. It is my hope that this version brings a sense of nostalgia, joy, and longing to the listener. ...

People familiar with my catalog would likely be surprised to know that I’m actually quite a huge fan of pop music. From the brilliance of the Beatles and the Beach Boys, to the more contemporary stylings of Harry Styles, Beyonce, and Taylor Swift, I enjoy a catchy tune as much as the next person. Pop music often gets a bad rap for leaning towards the least common denominator as opposed to the more complex, but a well written pop song has the ability to reach infinitely more people with universal themes and emotions. Hearing Go West’s tongue-in-cheek anthem to the plight of the scorned was a moment of joy for me when I first listened to it while watching Pretty Woman. The original is infinitely compelling; the driving electronic drums, the synth bass lines, the angry and powerful vocal presentation; it’s impossible to hear it and not want to move! This was actually the first song I ever covered at a live show and it’s remained a favorite of mine all these years later. For the recorded version I chose to try to find the balance between the electronic feel of the original and my own usually chill, melancholic vibe, while still expressing the romantic frustration the writers accomplished so well. ...

Besides John Denver, @jamestaylor_com is the artist I most remember my mother playing on our record player at home growing up in Pittsburgh. She had his Greatest Hits album and would play it front to back (save for “Steamroller” which she forbade us from listening to it for its brief use of cursing) as she went about her daily chores and taking care of her children. It wasn’t until many years later that I learned the actual tragedy which is behind this superbly beautiful song; a fact which makes it all the more gut-wrenching to listen to, but most certainly doesn’t diminish the quiet beauty the song offers. Taylor’s sublime voice and unique guitar playing make for a perfect song about losing the life of someone dear. Even with the tragic element, I’ve always felt this was still a love song at heart, and in my own version I wanted to honor that sentiment by sharing the vocals with my friend and collaborator @abbygundersen. Likewise, the original arrangement is so lovely I chose to honor it, but still attempt to make it my own with the addition of Gundersen’s strings and the nylon guitar. What a joy to be able to record this favorite song of one of my most treasured musical heroes. ...