What makes Karl truly remarkable, is that he is unafraid. With complete humility and the charisma of a ‘rock-star’, he wears his heart on his sleeve, he speaks universal truths and he crosses boundaries. This is blues, roots, folk and rock… and Americana, if you will… but not at as you know it.
Karl’s music is steeped in the swamp water of the cane country of Northern NSW, the landscape of his childhood. His songs are a distillation of life, love and the human condition. Timeless and deeply rooted in tradition, yet ever conversant with the present. As a performer, he is at once beautifully vulnerable and then transcendent.
Delivered with powerful conviction that takes your breath away - whether solo or with his incandescent band — a Karl S. Williams performance is frequently referred to as a visceral and ‘spiritual experience’, leaving an audience slightly altered in the best way possible.
Karl S. Williams built his reputation over many years playing around South East Queensland before his debut album Heartwood was released in 2013. In 2014, he was signed to Footstomp Music, an imprint of Warner Music Australia, and re-released Heartwood to widespread acclaim. He was recognised as artist of the year at the inaugural Gold Coast Music Awards in 2015 and took out a QMA in 2018 for the single ‘Blood To Give’.
Karl has toured extensively in Australia including festivals such as Bluesfest, Woodford Folk Festival, Dark Mofo, Panama, Queenscliff and Festival of The Sun. H has shared that stage with other artists such as Donavon Frankenreiter, Mia Dyson, Tex Perkins, Don Walker and Busby Marou.
Following a departure from previous industry relationships, Karl went back to the studio as an independent artist to begin recording Lifeblood. In 2020, he releases this next offering, a pint of his lifeblood and an album of new material that replies with vitriol to the ills of our time while offering the ageless solution - love more. As the long-awaited follow up to Karl S. Williams’ debut, 'Heartwood' (2014), Lifeblood is the move towards longevity as an artist, a songwriter and a human. With this offering, Karl cleanses the slate and redefines the terms of engagement. Lifeblood is ultimately an album of hope — a revolt against the powers that be and proof that with art and love, we shall overcome.