London based, multi-instrumentalist A. A. Williams has released a cover of Placebo’s “Without You I’m Nothing,” ahead of her US tour with Sleep Token. The artist has also announced an upcoming tour of the UK and Europe with Kalandra in late Autumn.
No stranger to covering a wide range of artists and genres, releasing an album of them back in 2021 titled, Songs From Isolation, A. A. Williams is often quite open about her influences and the artists she admires. Placebo appears to be one right at the top of her wish list, as the classically trained musician has now covered one of Placebo’s singles and title track off of their second album, Without You I’m Nothing.
Speaking on her take of the song, Williams said, “when I first discovered Placebo as a teen, I felt as if I’d found a world just for me. Barely a day went by without their songs in my headphones, their explorations of angst, frustration and alienation speaking to me like nothing I’d heard before… Simultaneously brand new and familiar, I felt that I’d been understood for the first time, all the while being fed with musical styles I wasn’t familiar with – glam, goth, electro and punk were all introduced to me through Placebo’s melancholy lens.
I’ve dreamed of covering a Placebo song for years. I think it always had to be “Without You I’m Nothing”, a song of longing and loss that for me will always feel current and relevant, as someone who always felt that human connection was the key to happiness – and as an outsider looking in, as someone uncomfortable in their own skin.”
Placebo’s song, perhaps notable for featuring backing vocals by David Bowie, was a huge critical and popular hit with fans and became a staple in the band’s live set up until 2012 where it has been performed more sporadically, in part due to the band’s insistence of not playing ‘hit’ songs during live sets. The song however, provides the perfect tone and emotional gravitas for an artist of A. A. Williams’ capabilities and her version is sure to be a hit with her audiences.
An upcoming North American tour with Sleep Token will undoubtedly open doors to whole new sets of admirers for Williams and, with her unique blend of strings and guitars, the artist continues to gain attention from listeners of all genres. Williams will be embarking on a co-headlining tour of the UK and Europe with Kalandra this November and December. Tickets can be purchased here.
A. A. Williams UK and Europe Tour:
17/11/2023 – Brudenell Social Club – Leeds
18/11 – The Dome – London
19/11 – Botanique, Grand Salon – Brussels, Belgium
20/11 – O’Sullivan’s Backstage by the Mill – Paris, France
21/11 – Altigone – Toulouse, France
22/11 – Moby Dick – Madrid, Spain
23/11 – La Nau – Barcelona, Spain
23/11 – Salamandra – L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
24/11 – Maison des Choeurs – Montpellier, France
25/11 – Le Transbordeur – Villeurbanne, France
27/11 – Berghain/Kantin – Berlin, Germany
28/11 – Chemiefabrik – Dresden, Germany
29/11 – 2progi – Poznan, Poland
30/11 – Hydrozagadka – Warsaw, Poland
01/12 – Kamienna 12 – Krakow, Poland
02/12 – Instant – Budapest, Hungary
03/12 – Kasarna Karlin – Prague, Czech Republic
05/12 – Legend Club Milano – Milan, Italy
06/12 – Teatro Perla – Bologna, Italy
07/12 – Magazzino Sul Po – Turin, Italy
08/12 – La Port Franc – Sion, Switzerland
