The Spitfires’ Billy Sullivan Launches Solo Career With Debut Single “Overcome”

Watford, UK’s Billy Sullivan has launched his solo career with his debut single, Overcome, that is now available via Kickstart Recordings. The track is the first of a batch of new songs that the former frontman of The Spitfires has been working on behind the scenes for the past few months after the band’s fifth and final album, Play For Today, was released earlier this year through Acid Jazz Records. Commenting on the new material, Sullivan says: “‘Overcome’ just seemed like a great starting point for me. Lyrically it’s got that sense of, ‘no matter how bad it seems at the moment, we can get through it’, which I think will resonate with a lot of people for obvious reasons.”

Sullivan openly admits he had a tough end to 2021 and a rocky start to 2022 when it came to his mental health. “The split of the band affected me more than I assumed it was going to,” says the songwriter candidly. “I’d poured everything into making the last Spitfires album during the pandemic and I became tired of constantly having to fight losing battles. It made me lose confidence in my writing and performing too, which I’ve only recently got back.” Of embarking on his new solo career in the wake of The Spitfires‘ split, and marking a change of musical change of direction that felt natural and timely. Further details of new music from Sullivan and additional live dates will be announced over the coming months.

“Personally, it was these songs that guided me out of The Spitfires and gave me the confidence to pursue something new and different. Musically it’s a bit of a return to a more guitar-led sound and I think as a debut single it’s got the urgency and the balls to stand up. I now feel like there’s a massive weight lifted off my shoulders and I love the fact that I have control again of what I’m doing. I’ve surrounded myself with great musicians, so musically everything has gone up a notch. I also feel this new material better represents my personality and what I’m into.”

You can stream Overcome and purchase tour tickets here