He could have been boring. He could have fallen back on TAI’s devoted fan-base. He could have taken the easy path. Instead, he chose to climb the mountain. William did it his way, just as he promised, by releasing three EPs (twelve songs total) over seven months in 2012 on his very own YIKE Records label.Chronicling the rise and fall of an epic relationship (a story that, as recent history shows, William is all too familiar with) the trilogy of EPs— Walk the Talk, Winds Will Change, and the forthcoming What Will Be (Out Oct 30th 2012)— jettison the old TAI pop-punk sound. Retaining only Beckett’s signature vocals and crafty, tattooable lyrics over electro-pop and jaunty beats. As Alternative Press describes it: “Beckett’s new music cuts a swath through contemporary pop trends, retro-rock party anthems and thoughtful balladry. Fortunately, he stamps his persona on all of these idioms with aplomb, resulting in his comfort zone growing a few more acres.” (altpress.com, Walk the Talk EP review, April 17th 2012)Sticking to his oaths of freedom, independence, and refusing to compromise has served William well. His first single, “Compromising Me”, rocketed to the top of the iTunes charts, cracking the top 20 and leading all independently released tracks. In the following months, the EPs Walk the Talk and Winds Will Change followed the same meteoric rise.Bolstered by the success of his vision, rest was never an option. In between perpetually writing and recording new tracks, William took an unconventional approach to touring. First, he embarked on a solo headlining tour across the U.S. taking with him only his trusty acoustic guitar (an instrument that is now as much a part of him as his voice) and a few digitally- stored studio tracks (his “band in a box”). Following completion of the Spring 2012 tour, he crossed the Pacific as support on a tour of Asia and returned to continue performing almost weekly at different colleges around the U.S. Add to that a packed schedule of private parties as well as dozens of groundbreaking StageIt.com live streaming performances and hardly three days pass when William isn’t playing live.William has embraced modern connectivity like the StageIt.com performances, an active blog, a YouTube page and Twitter feed, and combined it with traditional, real-world bonding experiences like countless live, intimate performances and a burgeoning fan community (The William Beckett Society). Constant contact keeps him grounded, approachable and personally invested in his fans. This personal relationship continues to fuel William’s promise to never compromise his vision or his dedication. His fans keep him honest and he loves them for that.

William Beckett has already walked the talk. He’s revealed the changing winds. Now, with more domestic and international tours planned through 2013, and preliminary work already begun on a full-length album, William Beckett is ready to show us What Will Be.

This collection is the first of Mike’s recorded music under the name “Mike Golden and Friends.” It is a raw, low-budget, but passionate mix of music recorded completely in the Chicago apartment of producer Scot Stewart. Scot’s creativity and vision included unconventional tactics: microphones made of thrift store telephones, bathtub recording, stomping, clapping, and clashing beer bottles to create the album’s percussion. No bass, electric guitar, or drums can be heard on these albums; the focus is on Mike’s breath-taking voice and the sounds of being surrounded by friends. Shows were played to replicate this raw sound, with the stage being full of Mike’s friends drinking, singing, clapping, and clanking their bottles together in unison. Now comes “Groceries”: Mike Golden and Friends’ first full-length record. The album name is meant as a metaphorical description of the music; at a grocery store, you may fill your cart with a variety of seemingly unrelated items, but they all work together to sustain life in a multitude of different ways. The music on this album is meant to sustain the soul, using a variety of different styles, genres, and moods. Mike also wrote many of his song structures and lyrics within a grocery store while working as a butcher, before deciding to pursue music full-time.

Scot Stewart again produces, engineers, and mixes the album, with Mike co-producing. It was recorded from June to October in 2011 at the homes of both Mike and Scot in Indiana and Illinois, respectively. This time, drums, electric guitars, and bass are included, as well as all of the quirks from the first album – stomping, beer bottles clashing, and background talking. The album also includes a new instrument Mike acquired: a true cigar box guitar, made by scratch for him from his lady for Valentines Day.

Mike currently plays shows mostly in the Midwest, having debuted at several college campuses and venues around major Midwest cities. He is based out of Chicago, however, and makes frequent appearances at renowned venues including Schubas, Metro, and Congress Theatre. This September, he made his debut in Cincinnati at Midpoint Music Festival, and hopes to continue playing shows and expanding the reach of his music.

“I’m really excited to show the world what we have to offer,” Ess shared with us. “This is one of my favorite songs we recorded with Erik [Ron; Panic! at the Disco, VersaEmerge, Saosin] and I’m so proud of how we’ve grown.” If ever there was a single to introduce them to the masses, it’s this one. Between Ess’ fiery vocals carrying impassioned melody lines to soaring proportions, and Newton’s tight guitar-work adding a layer of aggression, it’s the kind of single that packs in depth and darkness, emotion and a touch of vulnerability.