Biography
William McCarthy, a multifaceted creator from New York City who works as a singer, songwriter, author, and visual artist, previously led the roots-oriented stadium rock outfits Pela and Augustines. He launched his independent career in 2020 by unveiling his first solo project, Wild Eyes, through a sequence of digital EPs.
McCarthy’s intense vocal approach and heartfelt songwriting draw from the fiery, blue-collar Americana tradition associated with the Hold Steady, Marah, and the Gaslight Anthem. In 2004 he established the Brooklyn group Pela, which put out two favorably received EPs along with the album Anytown Graffiti before the band dissolved in 2008. The next year he assembled Augustines alongside Eric Sanderson, his former Pela songwriting partner; the new ensemble delivered the energetic and sweeping Rise Ye Sunken Ships in 2011.
Augustines parted ways on good terms in 2016, after which McCarthy turned to solo performances. Around the same period he launched the podcast Onward with William McCarthy and published Unsheltered, his debut volume of short fiction. Frustrated by conventional label distribution, he adopted a fully independent strategy, issuing material directly online and offering subscribers a “pay what you will” model that grants access to his songs, artwork, videos, short films, stories, and podcasts. That same year he initiated the roll-out of Wild Eyes by releasing the opening EPs Bloodline and Tryin’ to See the Light.
McCarthy’s intense vocal approach and heartfelt songwriting draw from the fiery, blue-collar Americana tradition associated with the Hold Steady, Marah, and the Gaslight Anthem. In 2004 he established the Brooklyn group Pela, which put out two favorably received EPs along with the album Anytown Graffiti before the band dissolved in 2008. The next year he assembled Augustines alongside Eric Sanderson, his former Pela songwriting partner; the new ensemble delivered the energetic and sweeping Rise Ye Sunken Ships in 2011.
Augustines parted ways on good terms in 2016, after which McCarthy turned to solo performances. Around the same period he launched the podcast Onward with William McCarthy and published Unsheltered, his debut volume of short fiction. Frustrated by conventional label distribution, he adopted a fully independent strategy, issuing material directly online and offering subscribers a “pay what you will” model that grants access to his songs, artwork, videos, short films, stories, and podcasts. That same year he initiated the roll-out of Wild Eyes by releasing the opening EPs Bloodline and Tryin’ to See the Light.