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Exclusive: William Beckett announces debut solo releases, tour dates

Former the Academy Is… frontman William Beckett will be launching his solo career with the release of 3 EPs, which are due to be released in the coming months. As we reported yesterday, the first EP in that series, Walk The Talk, is due April 17 via YIKE Records; a new single, “Compromising Me,” is due tomorrow (March 20). The other two EPs are scheduled for release in July and October.

In addition, Beckett announced a solo headlining North American tour which kicks off May 4 in Minneapolis. Pre-sale tickets are available on March 20 via Artist Arena. A full list of dates is below.

According to a press release, Beckett was intending for his solo work to be released via his former label, Atlantic. However, he was dropped before that could happen. In a statement, Beckett said:

“After that phone call I stood in silence for 60 seconds, shocked and angry.  Then a wave of clarity washed over me.  I was free.  Free from over thinking and second-guessing.  Free from the old formula of ‘Where does this fit?’ and ‘This is what works.’ I took all of my songs and my vision and hit the ground running.  I surrounded myself with a whole new team. It’s time to walk the talk.  No compromise, no bullshit, no ancient rulebook.”

The Academy Is… broke up in October.

Walk The Talk track list:
“Compromising Me”
“Girl, You Shoulda Been A Drummer”
“Oh, Love!”
“You Never Give Up”

William Beckett tour dates:

May 4             Minneapolis, MN      Varsity 
May 5             Madison, WI              Redamte Coffee House
May 6             Grand Rapids, MI     Pyramid Scheme
May 7             Pontiac, MI                Pike Room
May 9             Columbus, OH         Rumba Café
May 10           Cleveland, OH          Grog Shop
May 11           Buffalo, NY               Mohawk Place
May 12           Toronto, ON              Mod Club
May 13           Burlington, VT          Higher Ground
May 14           Philadelphia, PA      World Café Live
May 16           Boston, MA               Middle East
May 17           Teaneck, NJ              Mexicali Live
May 18           New York, NY           Studio at Webster Hall
May 19           Hamden, CT             The Space
May 20           Vienna, VA               Jammin’ Java
May 21           Chapel Hill, NC        Local 506
May 23           Columbia, SC           5 Points Pub
May 24           Orlando, FL               The Social
May 25           Atlanta, GA                The Masquerade
May 26           Nashville, TN                       The End
May 27           Memphis, TN                        Hi-Tone Café
May 29           Chicago, IL                Schubas