1) ‘Will Atkinson’, a name that in 2008 seemingly came out of nowhere, but rapidly went on to be absolutely everywhere. With a legion of fans including Judge Jules, Sander Van Doorn, Scot Project, and Marco V to name a few, and is one of the most played producers on Radio1 dance shows. Amazingly, his debut release was the instant classic ‘Cloud Surfing’ which went on to gain worldwide support, rave magazine reviews, overwhelming sales, and considered by many as the Trance record of the summer, and quite possibly the year. He has been tipped by countless industry influentials as being ‘The next big thing’, and with the mesmeric rise of the past 12 months its easy to see why… A young and fresh, naturally gifted talent from the remote isle of Orkney, northern Scotland. Will passion for music has been at the forefront of his life for as long as he can remember. DJing from the young age of 8, and producing at 11. The breathtaking sites of Orkney became both the backdrop and inspiration to his music. His DJ sets are fuelled through a mix of Progressive House, Trance and Funky Techno, and the same could be said on the production side of things which ooze experience far beyond his years. Influenced by the likes of Judge Jules, Fergie, Simon Patterson, and Cirez D, his productions show a true diverse, twisted, funky vibe reflected from his more techier productions such as “Or Else What” to the tougher, euphoric side such as the seminal ‘Cloud Surfing’. As Radio 1s Judge Jules says ‘“with a bright future ahead of him. I probably play more of his production than any other producer I can think of”. Exclusively signed to one of the hottest new labels in Trance ‘CGI Records’, the next few months will see a string of anthemic and in-demand tracks which have been rocking floors around the globe over the past few months, including; Showoff, Slipped Disk, and Enough is Enough. He has also become increasingly in-demand as a remix artist, most recently and notably being asked by Judge Jules to remix not one but two of his forthcoming singles. Added to this work for Nukleuz, Phase Seven, and Full Tilt, and with some very exciting projects on the horizon, including a darker tech ep, and some limited edition DJ only bootlegs. 2) Will Atkinson started off as a player of the English Diatonic Accordion but became a mouth organ player and a much admired contributor to the Music of Northumbria. The most influential moothie player of the last century within this genre, he was also the author of several tunes which have entered the tradition and are played to this day at gatherings and sessions. When compiling The Voice of the People, Reg Hall selected several pieces by Will. Will Atkinson recorded many times, chiefly with producer Geoff Heslop. The first release was ‘Harthope Burn’ MWM Records 1024 [with his friends Joe Hutton and Willy Taylor) (1983), next came a compilation of Northumbrian Music and Poetry ‘From Sewingshields to Glendale’ MWM Records MWM 1033 (with Kathryn Tickell, Alistair Anderson, Mike Tickell, Hutton and Atkinson, etc.) (1986) and in 1989 Heslop and Alistair Anderson recorded a solo album called simply “Will Atkinson - Mouthorgan” (Common Ground CGRCD002). This included tunes from various sources, including five of his own compositions; Sharon Davis, Alistair Anderson’s Favourite, The Early Morning reel, Kyloe Burn and Pippa Sandford. According to the sleeve notes, he was born at Crookham, Northumberland in 1908. |
