Another Long Week

Two years in the making and ANOTHER LONG WEEK, the fifth album by Ian Wills and his band Wills & The Willing, finally arrives in the early SUMMER of 2024.

Described by the Times as an ‘Ian Dury for the 21st Century’, Wills continues to craft his open, honest lyrics which remain at times stark, brutal and confrontational. On this his fifth outing, he further confirms himself as one of the UK’s most interesting and thoughtful lyricists.

Another Long Week comprises thirteen new songs. Written with a heavy Americana/Country influence that sits in juxta-position to Wills’ unmistakable South London-tinged vocals. The songs are cinematic, confessional, at times apocalyptic and reflect Wills’ current life darting between England and Arizona, where he now calls home. Wills never shies away from bringing his own deeply personal vulnerabilities to life in his songs and the current stable of musicians he is working with, bring a depth and interesting colours to the overall sound of this new recording.

Another Long Week also includes the track ‘Do You Dream an Ordinary Life’, a co-write between Wills and Bruce Springsteen. The song sees Wills reworking some of his musical hero’s words and this brave and unusual collaboration adds another layer and point of interest to The Willing history.

As part of the promotion for Another Long Week, Ian Wills takes Wills & The Wiling back on the road for a series of festival appearances and more intimate gigs, to show the different sides of his twenty-year career. Wills & The Willing have always received praise for their live performances, most notably from their great supporter the late, great Janice Long and legendary guitarist Les Paul, who discovered the band while they promoted their first album in New York.

ANOTHER LONG WEEK has been produced by Sean Genockey, Ruadhri Cushnan, Charlie Morton, & Adj and features a host of esteemed musicians moonlighting as part of The Willing.

Guitars – Sean Genockey (The Who /Manic Street Preachers, Kula Shaker, Richard Ashcroft)

Piano & Keyboards – Andy May (Albert Hammond, Lou Reed, Marianne Faithful)

Guitars - Donnie Little (Paulo Nuttini, Imelda May, Ronnie Wood)

Guitars - Adam Chetwood (Mark Ronson, Imelda May, Paolo Nuttini, White Denim)

Pedal steel - Melvyn Duffy (First Aid Kit, Squeeze, Robbie Williams, Ray Davies, Mark Knopfler)

Drums - Simon Hanson (Squeeze, Death In Vegas, The Quire Boys, Dogs D’Amour, Iggy Pop, Liam Gallagher)

Bass - Mo Pleasure (Earth, Wind & Fire, Bette Midler, Ray Charles, George Duke, Natalie Cole, Michael Jackson,Janet Jackson, Roberta Flack)

Additional Vocals - Galia Arad (Jools Holland, Shane MacGowen)

At certain venues, Wills & The Willing live will also include the legendary Robbie McIntosh on guitars (The Pretenders, Paul McCartney, John Mayer, Norah Jones, Dolly Parton)