Will Linley: A Leap of Faith into the Music World

 When it comes to pursuing a career in music, there’s no set blueprint. For South African pop sensation Will Linley, the road to success was as much about careful planning as it was about raw talent and passion. Will knew he had a love for music from a young age, but he wasn’t naive to the challenges of breaking into the highly competitive music industry. So, he devised a plan that gave him a shot at making it big while keeping his future options open.

Before his breakthrough single “Miss Me (When You’re Gone)” catapulted him into the spotlight, Will was faced with a decision that many aspiring musicians must make—should he go all in on music, or play it safe and pursue a more traditional career? Balancing his passion with practicality, he came up with a simple but effective strategy: give music everything he had for a set period of time. If things didn’t pan out, he would go back to university to complete his studies.

This was no half-hearted attempt. Will threw himself into creating music, recording demos, and releasing tracks, driven by the thought that this was his one real shot at doing what he loved. His determination paid off when his debut single became a viral hit. The song’s catchy melody and relatable lyrics struck a chord with listeners, and suddenly, what had seemed like a long shot became reality.

Will’s journey serves as a reminder that even in the pursuit of creative dreams, it’s possible to plan for both success and fallback options. His calculated approach ensured that he could pursue his passion without sacrificing his long-term future. But with the overwhelming success of his music, it seems university may be off the table for now—because the rest, as they say, is history.

Listen to Barret Edelstein’s full podcast interview with Will Linley to hear more about his inspiring journey and how he navigated the ups and downs of making a name in the music industry.