Willi Carlisle
Willi Carlisle | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | May 29, 1989 |
| Origin | Kansas, United States |
| Genres | |
| Instruments | |
| Years active | 2016–present |
| Labels | |
| Website | willicarlisle |
Willi Carlisle (born May 29, 1989) is an American folk singer-songwriter from Kansas, United States and based out of Arkansas, United States.[1][2] His music pulls from traditional American folk music,[2] punk music,[3] and country music. Many of his songs contain themes of drug abuse, queer life, and rural American life.[4]
Early life
Carlisle grew up in a musical family, with his father being a polka musician,[2] which led to him being introduced to American folk, bluegrass, and country.[5] While growing up, he participated in school musicals and was a member of his school's choir.[6] Carlisle attended the University of Arkansas and got an MFA in poetry with the hopes of this teaching him how to write better folk music.[1][7] While in the academic setting, he realized a disconnect that existed between contemporary poetry and regular people. This drove him to write music connecting to this group.[4]
Personal life
Carlisle is queer.[8]
Discography
Albums
| Title | Release date | Label |
|---|---|---|
| To Tell You the Truth | May 11, 2018 | Self-released |
| Peculiar, Missouri | July 12, 2022 | Free Dirt[9] |
| Critterland | January 25, 2024 | Signature Sounds[10] |
| The Magnolia Sessions | December 6, 2024 | Anti-Corp[11] |
Singles and EPs
| Title | Release date | Label | Appears on |
|---|---|---|---|
| Too Nice to Mean Much | October 10, 2016 | Self-released | |
| Boy Howdy, Hot Dog! (GemsOnVHS Field Recording) | March 11, 2022 | GemsOnVHS | |
| Tulsa's Last Magician | March 29, 2022 | Free Dirt Records | Peculiar, Missouri |
| Life on the Fence | May 16, 2022 | ||
| Vanlife | June 14, 2022 | ||
| All of the Redheaded Stranger | March 6, 2023 | Self-released | |
| The Grand Design (GemsOnVHS Field Recording) | April 29, 2023 | GemsOnVHS | |
| Angels (Western AF Version) | June 19, 2023 | Western AF | |
| Willi Carlisle Western AF Field Recordings (Western AF Version) | August 31, 2023 | ||
| Critterland | October 16, 2023 | Signature Sounds Recordings | Critterland |
| When the Pills Wear Off | November 13, 2023 | ||
| Higher Lonesome | January 11, 2024 | ||
| Dry County Dust | January 22, 2024 | ||
| Penny Evans (Live) | August 13, 2024 | Tales From Critterland (Live) | |
| Tales From Critterland (Live) | August 16, 2024 |
References
- ^ a b McGregor, Nick (March 8, 2023). "Willi Carlisle Is a Shapeshifting Bard for Our Times". INDY Week. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
- ^ a b c "Willi Carlisle: The Best of What's Next". Paste Magazine. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
- ^ Weeks, Olivia (October 21, 2022). "Q&A: Willi Carlisle Is Taking a Folk Singer's Job, to Comfort and Disturb, Very Seriously". The Daily Yonder. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
- ^ a b Grear, Daniel (January 26, 2024). "'Higher Lonesome': A Q&A with Willi Carlisle". Arkansas Times. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
- ^ "Willi Carlisle's Peculiar, Missouri Is Traditional Folk Music For 21st Century Problems | GRAMMY.com". grammy.com. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
- ^ Liebig, Lorie (March 14, 2023). "Willi Carlisle Dives Into the Uncomfortable on 'Peculiar, Missouri'". Nashville Scene. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
- ^ Marcisz, Christopher (September 22, 2022). "Willi Carlisle knew he'd become a folk singer, so he chose to earn his MFA at a university with a lot of banjo players he could learn from". The Berkshire Eagle. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
- ^ Liebig, Lori. "Willi Carlisle Dives Into the Uncomfortable on 'Peculiar, Missouri'". nashvillescene.com. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
- ^ "Willi Carlisle". Free Dirt Records & Service Co. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
- ^ "Signature Sounds Recordings". January 27, 2024. Archived from the original on January 27, 2024. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
- ^ "Anti-Corp". Retrieved February 9, 2025.