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WILSN Brings The Sass On 'Keep Walkin''

WILSN Brings The Sass On 'Keep Walkin''

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[Wednesday 2 July, 2025] Melbourne/ Naarm-based soul powerhouse WILSN (aka Shannon Busch) today unveils a sassy, smokin'-hot, break-up anthem with her new single ' Keep Walkin ''. Following on from her previous release, irresistible bop ' The Way ', WILSN continues to cement herself as one of the most essential voices in a new generation of Australian soul singers.
'Keep Walkin'' arrives off the back of two packed-out shows last month in Melbourne and Sydney, and finds WILSN in a defiant mood - her stunning vocals taking centre stage like the soul queens of days gone by, shining over classy, timeless production.
Written with long-time collaborator and producer Stephen Mowat (Tyne James-Organ, Jessica Mauboy, Matt Corby) 'Keep Walkin'' draws inspiration from the sounds of yesteryear.
As with previous single 'The Way', Busch headed to NYC to help her capture a timeless sound. Enlisting an ensemble of legendary musicians from the NYC soul scene, including members of Sharon Jones and the DapKings, Thee Sacred Souls, Charles Bradley and Jalen Ngonda's bands, 'Keep Walkin'' was tracked at Hive Mind Recording in Brooklyn - a studio that specialises in the use of analogue equipment and capturing a classic soul sound. Co-produced byStephen Mowat and Billy Aukstik, the band took an old-school approach to recording, with everyone playing live in the same room, feeding off each other's energy and vibe.
Originally hailing from Geelong in Victoria,WILSN moved to Melbourne to study jazz at the Victorian College of the Arts. She signed a deal with US publisher Pulse, prompting a move to America, where she spent two years working with Grammy-Award winning songwriters honing her craft, before being asked to join The Teskey Brothers on their 2020 tour of Europe and the UK, playing to sold-out crowds across the continent.
Since thereleaseof her debut album, Those Days Are Over, in 2023 - a record bursting with jaw-dropping vocal performances and fusing modern soul, pop, jazz and Motown – it's been a big couple of years forWILSN. Her debut album won the AIR Award for Best Independent Soul/RnB Album or EP and was also nominated for the Australian Music Prize, she's sung alongside Jimmy Barnes and Budjerah and shared the stage with contemporary heroes like Allen Stone, she's played at Bluesfest two years in a row, and once again supported The Teskey Brothers on an extensive Australian tour. Alongside her success asWILSN, she's also been amassing praise as a songwriter, winning the 2025 Vanda and Young Global Song Competition with 'Give You Love', a song she co-wrote for Jessica Mauboy and Jason Derulo.
Her most recent release, 'The Way' which marks the start of a refreshing new chapter, received support from triple j, double j and community radio locally, along with spins from BBC Radio 2 and 6Music, and playlist adds to Apple Music's Soul Revival, New In Indie and Spotify's Soul 'n' the City, Dinner Chill Music and more.
If you are lucky enough to be attending RockWiz Live - Live at the Gardens in Melbourne's Royal Botanic Gardens, WILSN will be opening the night with her nine piece band - tickets HERE.
A slice of soul-pop perfection, 'Keep Walkin'' carries on from the momentum of 'The Way' – it's bold yet melodic, empowering but vulnerable, classic and somehow still refreshingly of the moment.
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