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Artist Interview: William Robertson

Featured on The Compassion Project: Songs for Animals, Humans, and Earth Justice

London-based songwriter William Robertson brings unflinching honesty and poetic grit to The Compassion Project with his featured track “One Day Chicks.” Told from the perspective of a newborn chick, the song exposes the violent truth behind egg industry practices and urges listeners to reckon with normalized cruelty. Known for tackling uncomfortable truths, Robertson has released three albums — Out of a Misty Dream, Catastrophe Machine, and Echoings — each exploring themes like animal exploitation, trauma, and healing. With haunting vocal delivery, rich sonic layers, and a fierce commitment to truth, his music pushes boundaries and invites radical empathy.

Was there something or someone who was the "catalyst" for you to go into music?Hearing “Scentless Apprentice” for the first time, 11 years old. Changed everything.

Let's get this out of the way. What is the craziest thing that has ever happened in your music career? Not strictly part of my music path, but I did get to meet Kate Bush. I used to be a film extra, and I was chosen to feature in the video for her 2012 re-release of “Running Up That Hill.” I chatted to her briefly, on and off throughout the day, and as you would imagine she was utterly delightful. Gracious enough, also, to accept a copy of my then band’s EP. I’d brought a CD along especially. Shameless. Unfortunately, the video never saw the light of day. I’m starting to think I dreamt the whole thing.

What has been the highlight of your music path? When I was nine, I sang “Turtle Power” a capella to my classmates. Nailed every word. If highlights are measured by the rapture of applause they elicit, that’s up there for sure.More recently someone told me one of my songs had inspired them to go vegan. That was nice to hear.

How do you approach songwriting or what is your creative process like? Nine times out of 10, it’ll start with a melody. Sometimes I’ll hear an existing one and think, “That would be better if it did this.” So, I do that. Others it’ll either arise slowly from prolonged mumbling over strummed chords, or spontaneously in a dream (each with mixed results).

Do you have a new release? My song “One Day Chicks” will feature on the forthcoming compilation The Compassion Project: Songs For Animals, Humans, and Earth Justice, released on Artists and Activists Records, an animal rights label.

If you could share the stage or a song session with an artist, who would it be?Living? Kate Bush or Jeremy Enigk. Dead? Lou Reed or Thelonious Monk.

For fans who have never heard your music, how would you describe your sound?Shimmery arpeggios over minor chords. Layered strings and dense vocal harmony with occasional torrents of fractious feedback. Second verses doing something a little different to the first. Birdsong. Saucepan drum kits. The mechanical whirr of Super 8 cameras.

What is your favorite part about being an artist? Is it songwriting, performing, producing...something else? Songwriting > Recording > Performing There is something to be said for the buzz of walking offstage after a good show. But by nature I’m a solitary person, happy in my own company and more creatively productive. So, songwriting has always been my favourite part of being a musician.

When you are not doing music, what else do you enjoy doing? Hanging out with my partner Sarah and daughter Jasmine. Also, reading, writing, drawing, participating in animal rights activism, walking in nature, dancing around art galleries, making documentaries about my friends…

What is coming up in the future for you? Today is Jasmine’s birthday, so we’re gonna go eat vegan Chinese in Camden. And, thanks for listening, folks. Means the world.


About William Robertson William Robertson is a UK-based independent artist known for his fearless songwriting and rich sonic textures. His song “One Day Chicks,” featured on The Compassion Project, gives voice to the countless male chicks killed by the egg industry. Through layered melodies and poetic storytelling, Robertson challenges cultural norms and inspires change. With three albums to his name and a growing reputation for emotional honesty and artistic courage, he continues to write music that questions, disrupts, and heals.

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