Singer-songwriter Will Overman says the title of his new album, “Stranger,” is very fitting.
“It was a perfect title because at the time, everything in my life felt strange,” he says. “I felt strange within my relationship, my music career, and my place in the world.”
With his sophomore release out Sept. 26, Overman says he was able to reflect on the last few years and rediscover himself after a series of significant life changes.
“I thought my life was going one way and then it ended up moving in a drastically different direction,” he recalls. “There were some personal things that I needed to figure out about who I was and what I needed to accept.”
Overman, a Virginia native who grew up listening to bluegrass and mountain music intertwined with The Grateful Dead, turned his love of music into songwriting after discovering The Avett Brothers. He regularly performed around Virginia for years, and with the release of his debut album, “The Winemaker’s Daughter,” relocated to Nashville in 2021 to move his music career forward. But after many unexpected challenges, including the end of his marriage and navigating a career in an unpredictable, post-pandemic music industry, Overman needed a reset.
He moved to rural Virginia and lived above a horse barn, which he admits was a nice, isolated spot for some peace and quiet, but wasn’t exactly good for his mental health. To take better care of himself, he moved back to his childhood home of Virginia Beach and lived with his father for a year. It was during this time where he ended up writing many of the songs for this record, including his personal favorite, the intensely autobiographical anthem “The Bottom.”
“I get asked about the chorus of this song [“Virginia is for Lovers, but I hate it tonight”] at nearly every show,” Overman laughs.
“I was back home, sleeping on an air mattress and touring on the weekends, while all my friends were getting married, buying houses and seemingly moving up in life,” he says. “I was kind of floating and not really sure what I was doing. It was a very disorienting time, but I got to spend an entire year with my dad in my adulthood and reconnect with him in a new way. It made me realize just how much gratitude I have for that time, and the song reflects that.”
Overman describes that working on “Stranger” has been a way for him to better understand who he is, like in “Landlocked Heart,” where he discusses his love for being on the road and exploring new areas, both physically and emotionally.
“I love to tour and share my songs and meet people whenever I can,” he says. “I just love movement. I love to go find these beautiful places that remind me of who I am and not feel locked in place. The song’s kind of a reminder and ethos for me that it’s okay to move and experience life.”
Overman has since moved back to Nashville, but regularly keeps Virginia in his heart, as evident in the album’s first single, “Virginia is for Lovers.”
“I get asked about the chorus of this song [“Virginia is for Lovers, but I hate it tonight”] at nearly every show,” Overman laughs, promising that not one ounce of his being hates Virginia. “This song is about the love that I think we specifically have for our home, which can also carry with it the things we don’t like about ourselves, our past, or what we’ve tried to run from. It’s my love letter to Virginia explaining why I needed a geographic relocation to move past some stuff in my life and to seek new beginnings.”
That love of Virginia continues in Overman’s touring. After the album’s release, he has a full-band tour throughout the state planned in November where he’ll be joined by Richmond Americana outfit Holy Roller. Stops include Roanoke, Harrisonburg, Norfolk and Charlottesville with Richmond shows planned for 2026.
The songs on “Stranger” are sad and reflective, Overman admits, but they also carry a sense of inspiration that better days are ahead.
“I’m someone who really likes to let it all out and have life’s emotions hit me whether they’re good or bad,” he says. “There are some songs on here that are more upbeat and alternative rock-oriented. But there’s also sad country songs, too. I don’t think I’ll ever get that out of my blood.”
Will Overman’s new album “Stranger” comes out Sept. 26. He’ll be performing a free in-store set at Plan 9 the same day at 5:30 p.m. For more on Will Overman, visit willovermanmusic.com.
