Ainslie Wills

Ainslie Wills
Background information
Occupation
  • singer-songwriter
Years active2007 (2007)–present
LabelsAinslie Wills
Websitewww.ainsliewills.com

Ainslie Wills is an Australian singer-songwriter.

Career

2005–2011: Early EPs

After graduating from the Victorian College of the Arts in 2005, Wills recorded and produced her debut recording. She collaborated with fellow VCA graduate Lawrence Folvig (Guitar) and Mirra Seigerman (Drums).[1] Wills' first single "Wide Load" received critical acclaim and was supported by Triple J, via the Triple J Unearthed program. In May 2007, Wills released her self-titled debut EP, which included the single "Green Coloured Glass".[2] She supported Missy Higgins at The Palais in 2007.[1] Wills said "The Unearthed program is an incredible tool for artists, to build their profile, be accessible to the masses and to help them get commercial airplay. I was so fortunate that 'Wide Load' got picked up and everyone at Triple J has been nothing but supportive, it has helped me tremendously."[1]

In 2010, Wills released Somebody for Everyone. Wills told Tone Dead "On my EP, I wrote and demoed all the tracks by myself and just handed them to the band, but (guitarist) Lawrence (Folvig) and I built most of these new songs together, we had really open conversations about ideas for the sounds we wanted and I think it's brought a lot more breadth to the tracks."[1]

2012–2018: You Go Your Way, I'll Go Mine

In April 2012, Wills released "Fighting Kind", the lead single from her debut studio album, You Go Your Way, I'll Go Mine[3]

In February 2015, Wills released "Drive", the lead single from the EP Oh the Gold. "Drive was recorded over two days in Brisbane with co collaborators Lawrence Folvig, Arron Light and producer Matt Redlich.[4] This was followed by "Hawaii" in April 2015. "Hawaii" was recorded in collaboration with guitarist Lawrence Folvig, drummer Arron Light and producer Matt Redlich.[5]

2019–present: All You Have Is All You Need

On 9 August 2019, Wills released All You Have Is All You Need.[6] The album was nominated for the Australian Music Prize.[7][8]

On 24 November 2023, Wills released the 4-track Pink EP.[9]

Discography

Studio albums

Title Album details
You Go Your Way, I'll Go Mine
  • Released: 4 March 2013[10]
  • Label: Ainslie Wills
  • Format: CD digital download, streaming
All You Have Is All You Need
  • Released: 9 August 2019[6]
  • Label: Ainslie Wills
  • Format: CD, LP, digital download, streaming

Live albums

Title Album details
All You Have Is All You Need Live
  • Released: 19 November 2019
  • Label: Ainslie Wills
  • Format: digital download, streaming

Extended plays

Title EP details
Ainslie Wills
  • Released: 5 May 2007[2]
  • Label: Ainslie Wills
  • Format: digital download
Somebody for Everyone
  • Released: June 2010[11]
  • Label: Ainslie Wills
  • Format: digital download
Oh the Gold
  • Released: 14 September 2015[12]
  • Label: Ainslie Wills
  • Format: digital download, streaming
Northern Star
(with James Night)
  • Released: 1 October 2021[13][14]
  • Label: Ainslie Wills
  • Format: digital download, streaming
Pink
  • Released: 24 November 2023[9]
  • Label: Ainslie Wills
  • Format: digital download, streaming

Singles

Title Year Album
"Wide Load"[1] 2007 non album single
"Green Coloured Glass"[2] Ainslie Wills
"I'm Your Woman"[15] 2010 Somebody for Everyone
"Fighting Kind"[3] 2012 You Go Your Way, I'll Go Mine
"Stop Pulling the String"[16]
"Drive"[4] 2015 Oh the Gold
"Hawaii"[5]
"Young Turks"[17]
"Running Second"[17] 2017 All You Have Is All You Need
"Society"[18] 2018
"Fear of Missing Out"[19] 2019
"Two Strong Hearts"[20] 2020 non album single
"This Is What Our Love Looks Like Now"[21] 2021
"Northern Star"
(with James Knight)[22] 		Northern Star
"Mon amie la rose"
(with So French So Chic) 		non album single
"Primal Animal" (reimagined) 2022 non album single
"Don't Dream It's Over" non album single
"Celebrate" 2023 Pink
"Eyes on Me"
"People Pleaser"

Other appearances

Title Artist Year Album
"Young and Wild" John Butler Trio 2014 Flesh & Blood
"So Soldier" #1 Dads About Face
"Let It Die" Katie Noonan Songs That Made Me
"Hymn to Her"
(with Kylie Auldist, Deborah Conway, Angie Hart and Katie Noonan)
"Wide Load" Various Artists 2015 Swam Theory
"Wasn't It Good"
(with Ben Abraham) 		Tina Arena 2017 Greatest Hits & Interpretations
"Steal My Heart Away"
(with The Paper Kites) 		The Paper Kites 2021 Roses
"Shoulda Coulda"
(with Budjerah) 		Budjerah Budjerah (Live At Rainbow Valley)[23]

Awards and nominations

AIR Awards

The Australian Independent Record Awards (commonly known informally as AIR Awards) is an annual awards night to recognise, promote and celebrate the success of Australia's Independent Music sector.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2020 All You Have Is All You Need Independent Album of the Year Nominated [24][25]
"Fear of Missing Out" Independent Song of the Year Nominated

APRA Awards

The APRA Awards are presented annually from 1982 by the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA), "honouring composers and songwriters".[26]

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2017 herself Professional Development Award Won [27]
2018 "Running Scared" (Ainslie Wills, Lawrence Folvig) Song of the Year Nominated [28]
2019 "Society" (Ainslie Wills, Bram Inscore, MoZella) Song of the Year Nominated [29][30]
2020 "Fear Of Missing Out" (Ainslie Wills, Paul Dempsey, Lawrence Folvig, Arron Light) Song of the Year Shortlisted [31]
2023 "Ready for the Sky" (Budjerah, Ainslie Wills) Song of the Year Shortlisted [32]
2024 Most Performed Australian Work Pending [33]
Most Performed Pop Work Pending

Australian Music Prize

The Australian Music Prize (the AMP) is an annual award of $30,000 given to an Australian band or solo artist in recognition of the merit of an album released during the year of award.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2019 All You Have Is All You Need Album of the Year Nominated [7][34]

EG Awards/Music Victoria Awards

The Music Victoria Awards (previously known as The Age EG Awards and The Age Music Victoria Awards) are an annual awards night celebrating Victorian music.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2012 herselfself Outstanding Achievement By a Victorian Artist Nominated [35]

Vanda & Young Global Songwriting Competition

The Vanda & Young Global Songwriting Competition is an annual competition that "acknowledges great songwriting whilst supporting and raising money for Nordoff-Robbins" and is coordinated by Albert Music and APRA AMCOS. It commenced in 2009.[36]

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2022 "Ready for the Sky" (Budjerah and Ainslie Wills) Vanda & Young Global Songwriting Competition 2nd [37]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "Ainslie Wills". Tone Dead. 2012. Retrieved 25 August 2020.
  2. ^ a b c "Self titled". band camp. May 2017. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
  3. ^ a b "Fighting Kind - single". bandcamp. 10 April 2012. Retrieved 25 August 2020.
  4. ^ a b "Drive - single". bandcamp. 6 February 2015. Retrieved 25 August 2020.
  5. ^ a b "Hawaii - single". bandcamp. April 2015. Retrieved 25 August 2020.
  6. ^ a b "All You Have Is All You Need (DD)". Apple Music. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
  7. ^ a b "15th Australian Music Prize". The Music Network. 6 February 2020. Retrieved 6 February 2020.
  8. ^ "AMP winner Sampa The Great creates history". Sydney Morning Herald. 6 March 2020. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
  9. ^ a b "Why Isn't Ainslie Wills A Household Name? She Tells All Upon 'Pink EP' Release". The Music. 24 November 2023. Retrieved 25 November 2023.
  10. ^ "All You Have Is All You Need(DD)". Apple Music. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
  11. ^ "Somebody for Everyone by Ainslie Wills". Apple Music. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
  12. ^ "Oh the Gold by Ainslie Wills". Apple Music. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
  13. ^ "Northern Star by Ainslie Wills and James Night". Apple Music. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
  14. ^ "This EP was a joy to make. Northern Star EP is out today…". twitter. 1 October 2021. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
  15. ^ "I'm Your Woman - single". bandcamp. 12 June 2010. Retrieved 25 August 2020.
  16. ^ "Stop Pulling the String - single". bandcamp. 16 July 2012. Retrieved 25 August 2020.
  17. ^ a b ""Running Second" - single". Apple Music. 12 May 2017. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
  18. ^ ""Society" - single". Apple Music. 1 August 2018. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
  19. ^ "Ainslie Wills - Fear Of Missing Out (Official Video)". YouTube. August 2019. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
  20. ^ "Two Strong Hearts - single". Apple Music. 15 May 2020. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
  21. ^ "This Is What Our Love Looks Like Now - single". Apple Music. 19 March 2021. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
  22. ^ "Northern Star - single". Apple Music. 10 September 2021. Retrieved 11 September 2021.
  23. ^ "Budjerah releases Live At Rainbow Valley EP featuring Matt Corby and more". NME. 14 May 2021. Retrieved 15 May 2021.
  24. ^ "2020 AIR Awards Nominees". scenestr. 7 July 2020. Retrieved 8 August 2020.
  25. ^ "That's a wrap: 2020 AIR Awards winners and celebrations". the industry observer. 1 October 2020. Retrieved 1 October 2020.
  26. ^ "APRA History". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) | Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society (AMCOS). Archived from the original on 20 September 2010. Retrieved 17 January 2011.
  27. ^ "2017 Awards". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) | Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society (AMCOS). Retrieved 25 August 2020.
  28. ^ "Awards". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) | Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society (AMCOS). Retrieved 25 August 2020.
  29. ^ "Full List of Winners 2019". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) | Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society (AMCOS). 2019. Archived from the original on 4 May 2019. Retrieved 25 August 2020.
  30. ^ "Sarah Aarons wins Four APRA Awards The Complete Winners List". noise11. 30 April 2019. Retrieved 1 April 2019.
  31. ^ "APRA Has Revealed The 2020 Song Of The Year Finalists". The Music. 6 February 2020. Retrieved 26 April 2022.
  32. ^ "These 20 songs are up for 2023 APRA Song Of The Year". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 25 January 2023. Retrieved 28 January 2023.
  33. ^ "2024 APRA Music Awards nominees announced: Paul Kelly, Troye Sivan, Tex Perkins, and more". Mumbrella. 4 April 2024. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
  34. ^ "AMP winner Sampa The Great creates history". Sydney Morning Herald. 6 March 2020. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
  35. ^ "The Age Music Victoria Awards 2013 launched". Music Victoria. September 2013. Retrieved 13 August 2020.
  36. ^ "About the Vanda Young Global Song Writing Competition". APRA AMCOS. Retrieved 12 March 2021.
  37. ^ "King Stingray nab the top gong and over $50k at global songwriting competition". MSN. 8 June 2023. Retrieved 9 June 2023.