Nashville/Toronto singer, songwriter, and producer Billy Raffoul has released his new single “Bliss” alongside an accompanied lyric video. Inspired by the phrase “ignorance is bliss,” the track perfectly showcases Billy’s ability to blend soulful/rock vocals with intricate, harmonic fingerpicked guitar work, creating a playful, pop-infused soundscape. The track is taken from his upcoming EP, I Wish You Were Here, out March 24th.
On “Bliss,” Raffoul shares, “This song was inspired by the phrase ‘ignorance is bliss,’ but it’s really about trying to hold on to innocence and letting go of cynicism.” Raffoul goes on to share, “I initially intended it to be about my own process as a songwriter. When I started writing songs, I would just write them to write them, with no agenda or plan. As I continued through this business, I would catch myself getting more and more methodical and calculated about songwriting at times. Although that is sometimes necessary, and I enjoy it, the feeling of creating something for the pure fun of it is often unmatched. As this song’s development continued, I tried to simplify the lyrics and message to make it more relatable. It’s a fun song about a song. About doing what feels right and not thinking too much.”
I Wish You Were Here serves as a much-anticipated introduction to the next chapter of Raffoul’s artistry and was created alongside long-time collaborators Justin Zuccato and Mike Crossey, highlighting the graceful grit of his vocals and his knack for telling stories straight from the heart.
Billy will be supporting the viral rock band American Authors on their spring 2023 North American tour. The tour starts today, February 10th, and will make stops in Washington D.C. at Union Stage, Philadelphia at World Cafe Live, New York at Racket (previously the old Highline Ballroom), Los Angeles at The Troubadour and wrapping up in Seattle at Neumo’s. A full list of dates can be found below.
2023 NORTH AMERICAN TOUR WITH AMERICAN AUTHORS
TOUR DATES
February 10 – Fairfield, CT – The Warehouse
February 11 – Carlisle, PA – Anita Tuvin-Schlechter Auditorium
February 15 – Virginia, VA – Elevation 27
February 16 – Washington D.C. – Union Stage
February 17 – Philadelphia, PA – World Cafe Live
February 18 – New York, New York – Racket
February 19 – Boston, MA – Brighton Music Hall
February 21 – Pittsburgh, PA – Thunderbird Music Hall
February 23 – Madison, WI – Majestic Theatre
February 24 – Minneapolis, MN – Fine Line Music Cafe
February 25 – Chicago, IL – Bottom Lounge
February 26 – St. Louis, MO – Old Rock House
February 28 – Denver, CO – Gothic Theatre
March 2 – Salt Lake City, UT – Metro Music Hall
March 3 – Las Vegas, NV – Red Rock Casino
March 4 – Anaheim, CA – Parish at House of Blues Anaheim
March 5 – Phoenix, AZ – Last Exit Live
March 7 – Solana Beach, CA – Belly Up
March 8 – Los Angeles, CA – Troubadour
March 9 – San Francisco, CA – August Hall
March 11 – Portland, OR – Hawthorne Theatre
March 12 – Seattle, WA – Neumo’s