Bio

Rising singer-songwriter Billy Raffoul’s debut EP, 1975, is out now onInterscope Records. Of his debut, Raffoul says, “1975 is the beginning for me. It all starts with that song.” Fans can purchase the EP here:http://smarturl.it/BR1975 

The new music is already receiving early critical praise:

“It’s safe to say that with every new Billy Raffoul single we hear, from ‘Driver’ to his latest, ‘I’m Not A Saint,’ we become more and more enamored with the artist’s profound gift for songwriting.” –Ones To Watch

“His voice—rich and fortified with a blues-rock rasp—is made for the task, as evidenced on early Interscope singles.” –Detroit Free Press

“His soulful, story-filled voice won the crowd over before the first chorus concluded. Looking out over the countless people with their eyes transfixed on the stage, each thoughtful verse was met with more bobbing heads nodding in approval to the beat. With each song, cheers grew louder, and strangers swayed as they became new fans.” –tmrw

“His raspy and melodic voice will carry you away and…have you wanting more of his music.” –goodmusicallday.com

“If you appreciate an old school rock-n-roll foundation with soulful Hozier-like singer- songwriter vibes, then this new, up and coming Canadian rocker is exactly what you’ve been waiting for.” –Blurred Culture

“Singer-songwriter Billy Raffoul has been turning heads and garnering attention with his music that combines soulful and passionate vocals with a raw sense of storytelling.” –Anchr Magazine

The EP was produced by Mike Crossey (Arctic Monkeys, Foals, The 1975, Kaleo) at The Ranch Studios in Woodland Hills, CA and Rundown Studios in Santa Monica. In additional to Crossey, 1975 features contributions from Julia Michaels, Matt Thiessen and David Campbell.

After spending the past two years on the road sharing the stage with Kings of Leon, ZZ Ward, Mondo Cozmo, Judah & The Lion and more, Raffoul is set to follow his recent performance at BottleRock with August tour dates supporting NEEDTOBREATHE as well as a festival appearance at Ohana. The upcoming dates include stops at Nashville’s Ascend Amphitheater, Washington, D.C.’s The Anthem, Boston’s Blue Hills Bank Pavilion and Philadelphia’s Festival Pier. See below for complete tour details.

Raffoul grew up in a creative family in the small farming town of Leamington, Ontario. His mother is an artist, writer and teacher and his father Jody Raffoul is a solo artist and hometown hero who has opened for everyone from Joe Cocker to Bon Jovi. Raffoul’s earliest musical influences come from his dad. “The Beatles were like Jesus in our house,” he recalls, adding that he also listened to soul singers like Otis Redding and Sam Cooke. On his tenth birthday, Billy received a British Invasion-inspired guitar with a Union Jack on its front from Jody and started teaching himself to play. By 16, he had bought his first real guitar, a 1968 Gibson Les Paul Black Beauty.