William The Conqueror
William The Conqueror at The Star Inn, Guildford
About the show
William the Conqueror are a critically acclaimed indie‑rock-Americana trio from Cornwall, fronted by former solo artist Ruarri Joseph. Since forming in 2017 with Naomi Holmes (bass) and Harry Harding (drums), the band have carved out a distinctive sound that fuses gritty Americana, blues‑soaked grunge, and British alt‑rock.
Their debut Proud Disturber of the Peace (2017) announced them as one of the UK’s most compelling new acts, earning a UK Americana Award nomination for “Tend to the Thorns.” They followed with Bleeding on the Soundtrack (2019) and Maverick Thinker (2021), deepening their reputation for raw storytelling and emotional intensity.
Their latest album, Excuse Me While I Vanish (2023), explores themes of mental health, compassion, and creative resilience, recorded on vintage gear and mixed by Barny Barnicott (Arctic Monkeys, Sam Fender). The band continue to build a loyal following on both sides of the Atlantic through powerful, high‑energy live shows
Featuring - William The Conqueror
William The Conqueror's new album Excuse Me While I Vanish is out 28.07.23 - pre-order https://wtc.lnk.to/emwivEN
William The Conqueror's fourth album finds the indie-rock trio firing on all cylinders as frontman Ruarri Joseph confronts the thin line between creativity and madness, inspired by compassion for the real-life angels of the world.
Produced by the band in a playground of vintage gear and mixed by Barny Barnicott (Arctic Monkeys, Sam Fender, Kasabian), the resulting album's ten tracks marry earworm tunes with insistent, imperious, soaring rock shapes, punctuated by chorus hooks that are simultaneously nuanced and anthemic.
Joseph's compelling semi-spoken vocals and swamp-blues-Seattle-scuzz guitars are propelled by the rhythm section of Naomi Holmes (bass) and Harry Harding (drums) as Excuse Me While I Vanish delivers an effortlessly winning blend of melody and ensemble dynamics, the most accomplished and undeniable William The Conqueror album to date.