Billy Davis is going global. While a leader in the local R&B and neo-soul scene, the Melbourne musician’s new single ‘Shoulda Known’ is full of international flavour. The result is an uplifting, energetic sound that is elevating Australian music—and further proof that Billy is forging new territory here and abroad. Continuing on from a long line of collaborations with international heavy-hitters like Denzel Curry, Goldlink, and Brockhampton, the new single features guest spots from American R&B sister duo VanJess and Matt McGhee.

Billy Davis’s unique sound, positive approach, and sheer drive quickly piqued the interest of international artists, who have become not just contemporaries but friends. He’s collaborated with the likes of Goldlink and Brockhampton, music directing and performing with them both on triple j’s Like A Version, as well as music directing and performing in Goldlink’s NPR Tiny Desk. Meanwhile, Denzel Curry appears on standout track ‘Goldfish’ from his debut album, A Family Portrait, released late last year. 

Along with building up a global network of creative collaborators, Billy has shared the stage with Anderson Paak, NoName, Thundamentals and Blackalicious, played at Australia’s most recognised festivals including Let Them Eat Cake, Golden Plains, Laneway Festival, and Lost Paradise, and received accolades from Hypebeast, High Snobiety, LNWY, Acclaim, Purple Sneakers and Red Bull Music, just to name a few.

grew up listening to at church, formed his musical foundations from an early age, which you can still see shine through in his eclectic, barrier-less approach to making music.   

A musical juggernaut, Billy’s band The Good Lords is constantly evolving, morphing, and expanding, and features up to 11 members on stage at any given moment. Collaboration, with his band and other artists, it at the heart of everything he does. Billy explains, “all the people around me, my band, they’re my brothers and sisters. ‘Shoulda Known’ is about acknowledging that I’ve made mistakes, learning from them and knowing what’s important”. It’s a homage to collaboration and the family Billy’s found through music—in Australia and overseas.

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