Biography
American singer/songwriter William Ryan Key established himself as Yellowcard's frontman in the early-2000s pop-punk scene, then launched a solo career once the band dissolved in 2017. Across nearly two decades, he and Yellowcard placed two albums in the Top Ten—Lights and Sounds in 2006 and Southern Air in 2012—while their breakthrough release, Ocean Avenue from 2003, earned platinum certification. Key inaugurated his independent work in 2018 by issuing the EP Thirteen through his own Lone Tree Recordings imprint.
Jacksonville, Florida, served as Key's birthplace and childhood home, where he first studied piano and guitar. He later enrolled at Florida State University yet left before finishing to pursue music in Santa Cruz, California. A short period with the punk outfit Craig's Brother preceded his return to Florida, a decision that led directly to an invitation to supply backing vocals for Yellowcard's debut recording. Once the group's original singers departed, Key took over lead vocal duties and held the role for twenty years. The band issued ten albums altogether, among them the major-label arrival Ocean Avenue in 2003 and the farewell set titled Yellowcard in 2016. Their final performance occurred on March 22, 2017, after which Key entered a solo phase.
Even before Yellowcard's conclusion, Key had explored outside work during breaks, forming the side project Big If and collaborating with Assemble the Skyline, Taboo of Black Eyed Peas, Silverstein, and Like Torches. He founded Lone Tree Recordings in 2015. The following year he supported New Found Glory on tour, both opening sets and augmenting their performances onstage. His initial solo single, "Vultures," appeared on the debut EP Thirteen—titled for the hardships of 2013—which Arun Bali of Saves the Day co-produced. The acoustic arrangements drew from Ben Folds, Ryan Adams, Explosions in the Sky, and Mogwai while echoing the approach of Bright Eyes and Death Cab for Cutie.
Jacksonville, Florida, served as Key's birthplace and childhood home, where he first studied piano and guitar. He later enrolled at Florida State University yet left before finishing to pursue music in Santa Cruz, California. A short period with the punk outfit Craig's Brother preceded his return to Florida, a decision that led directly to an invitation to supply backing vocals for Yellowcard's debut recording. Once the group's original singers departed, Key took over lead vocal duties and held the role for twenty years. The band issued ten albums altogether, among them the major-label arrival Ocean Avenue in 2003 and the farewell set titled Yellowcard in 2016. Their final performance occurred on March 22, 2017, after which Key entered a solo phase.
Even before Yellowcard's conclusion, Key had explored outside work during breaks, forming the side project Big If and collaborating with Assemble the Skyline, Taboo of Black Eyed Peas, Silverstein, and Like Torches. He founded Lone Tree Recordings in 2015. The following year he supported New Found Glory on tour, both opening sets and augmenting their performances onstage. His initial solo single, "Vultures," appeared on the debut EP Thirteen—titled for the hardships of 2013—which Arun Bali of Saves the Day co-produced. The acoustic arrangements drew from Ben Folds, Ryan Adams, Explosions in the Sky, and Mogwai while echoing the approach of Bright Eyes and Death Cab for Cutie.
Albums
Singles
