New York City singer, songwriter, author, and visual artist William McCarthy fronted the rootsy stadium rockers Augustines and Pela before striking out on his own in 2020 with the arrival of his debut solo effort, Wild Eyes, which was issued as a series of online EP's.

Known for his dynamic delivery and earnest lyrics steeped in the blazing, working-class Americana of bands like the Hold Steady, Marah, and Gaslight Anthem, McCarthy formed Pela in 2004. The Brooklyn band released a pair of well-received EPs and a full-length (Anytown Graffiti) before calling it quits in 2008. The following year, McCarthy formed the like-minded Augustines with Pela co-songwriter Eric Sanderson. The newly minted group issued the rousing and expansive Rise Ye Sunken Ships in 2011. Augustines amicably disbanded in 2016, and McCarthy began playing solo. During this time, he also started his own podcast (Onward with William McCarthy) and released his first book, a collection of short stories tittle Unsheltered. Disenchanted with the traditional record label method of reaching an audience, McCarthy decided to go the D.I.Y. method, releasing his music online and utilizing a "pay what you will" subscription service to deliver fans his music, visual art, videos, short films, stories, and podcasts. In 2020, he began releasing a series of EPs as part of his full-length solo debut, Wild Eyes, beginning with Bloodline and Tryin’ to See the Light. ~ James Christopher Monger, Rovi