Will Conner grew up in northern New South Wales, his parents fleeing the U.S.A in the late 60’s in search of a secluded, hippy and musical lifestyle that Byron had to offer. Will’s mother, Marion, taught him his first guitar chords and his father, Bill Conner, the infamous leather hat maker and the guitar player in the recently reformed Zanziband. Growing up, Will was surrounded by his family music and their muso friends, constantly soaking in all the knowledge that was on offer to him. In short, Will finished school, went over to Florida for a higher education, dropped out, started his own business and tried his hand at selling his father‘s hat’s whilst traveling around the world. After several years, the business has now grown to a successful International hat company. Will never traveling without pen and paper to write, or without an instrument to jam.
“Southern Hemisphere” was produced in the USA by re-known producer, Jim Devito, and recorded at his studios in Florida (credits include Tom Petty, Donovan Frankenreiter and Creed). Along with Jim playing bass and harmonica on all tracks, recent inductee in to the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame, Stan Lynch plays drums and percussion on 3 tracks, (better known as an original member of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and former touring drummer for Bob Dylan). Twelve of the tracks also feature drummer George Sluppick from U.S. Blues and Funk act MOFRO.
“Southern Hemisphere” is lead by the single “HOME“, a toe tapping melody with a poetic sensibility. A simple, yet heartfelt lyric that will strike a chord to all that have experienced life on the road and longing for the familiarity and warmth that home provides.
“Southern Hemisphere” landed in the hands of the folk at Japanese major record label ‘Pony Canyon‘, with consideration of including one song on the compilation “Tropicalize”. Not only did they include “HOME” on the compilation, they liked it so much, they officially signed Will to their label ‘Surf Rock International‘ and “Southern Hemisphere” was released in Japan, January 2006. Will’s laidback, acoustic folk, story telling style was embraced by the Japanese audience and received airplay on high rotation across radio stations nationally. Will has since toured Japan 3 times and “Southern Hemisphere” is now also available in South Korea through Surf Rock Int.
Over the last 12 months, Will has shared the stage with the likes of U.S. act JJ Grey and Mofro, Donovan Frankenreiter, as well as securing the support slot for Tristan Prettyman on her 2006 tour of Japan.
The official launch of “Southern Hemisphere” is at Byron Community Centre on Friday March 23rd, following this, Will make’s his Australian festival debut on the lineup at the forthcoming ‘West Coast Blues ‘n‘ Roots Festival’ and ‘East Coast Blues & Roots Festival’, respectively. He will be joined by his new band - Dave Sanders on drums and percussion, Maurice Cernigoi on bass and Steve Russell (east coast only) on keys.
