Will Swinton’s journey here was anything but straightforward. Things are simpler now, though, and touring with pop’s biggest acts – from Kid Laroi to Machine Gun Kelly – and some 100 million streams brings us to his forthcoming debut album.
Will Swinton could’ve been a drum & bass DJ. Or, if he’d taken his dad’s not so stellar advice, the 6’6” Auckland-born rocker might be hunched over a desk somewhere filing accounts. Instead, after deciding his DJing was “pretty shit”, Will spent his teens recording songs into a USB mic, singing over YouTube instrumentals with that signature gravel-and-whiskey rasp of his. He eventually caught the attention of his manager, prompting him to sell his car, quit his job at the trampoline park and move to Los Angeles.
Now 25, with two EP’s and more than 100 million streams to his name, Will has opened for The Kid LAROI and landed a major slot on Machine Gun Kelly’s Lost Americana tour after a chance encounter in an Idaho bar in 2022 ended with mgk dragging him backstage to hear his music. After the release of his latest aching single “Only One”, Will asked fans on Instagram what they wanted to hear next. The answer came back simple and unanimous: a debut album. Luckily, it’s already on the way.
What’s your earliest memory of music having an effect on you?
Listening to Californication by Red Hot Chili Peppers on my older brother’s Xbox. I heard “Otherside” and I just remember thinking, woah. It was the first time a song genuinely stopped me in my tracks. I was probably six years old.
What does it mean to you to be original?
To me, being original means expressing exactly how you feel without thinking about how other people might perceive it. It’s wearing what you think is cool without asking for anyone else’s opinion. It’s making art because it pleases you, not because it pleases someone else. It’s reacting to something honestly, instinctively, before reading anyone else’s response to it.
When did you last get in trouble?
A couple of years ago, I had this fit-pic idea to make a bag out of a fishbowl with a gold fish inside it. I took an old purse, cut off the straps, and turned it into this fishbowl bag. Then I went to Pet Smart and bought a goldfish for the photo. I posted it on Instagram and it performed really well, but then I started getting harassed by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals supporters in the comments and even received death threats. I actually returned the fish afterwards and it wasn’t harmed at all, it just went on a little field trip.
What’s turning you on creatively right now?
I get creatively inspired by lots of things from movies to outfits to songs to photos to artwork. My friends inspire me a ton. They are all super creative. I feel like it’s so helpful being with pals that do cool shit.
What’s been your greatest act of artistic rebellion?
I think it’s my love for pop music and pop melodies. It’s become such a thing where people are trying so hard not to be “pop” and only listen to the most underground artists or have the most unique taste. I’m kind of rebelling against that. There was a period of time where I would only listen to Max Martin songs. I had this weird thing where I was super protective of what kind of music and melodies I would listen to. I think our brains are like AI and you have to train them, and I only want to put the best melodies in my brain.
WONDERLAND SUMMER 2026. GUEST EDITED BY MILEY CYRUS. SHOP NOW.
Photography Mario Sorrenti
Chief Creative Officer & Styling Alastair McKimm
Words Ella Bardsley
Hair Bob Recine
Make-up Diane Kendal
Set Design Philipp Haemmerle
Executive Producer Dana Brockman
Producer Max Bonbrest
Casting Alexandra Antonova for Samuel Ellis Scheinman
Lighting Technician Lars Beaulieu
1st Photo Assistant Kotaro Kawashima
Photo Assistants Paolo Afante, Kurt Mangum
Digital Tech Charles Meyer
Fashion Assistants Taylor Wood, Kassidy Taylor
Hair Assistant Jeelan Aleem
Make-up Assistants Eduardo Jiminez, Breanna Harmon
Set Assistants Oscar Haemmerle, Xavier Mozejewski
Production Assistant Din Morris