Press Kit

Chris Williams & Kid Reverie

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Press Kit

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Latest Release

“Haunt Me”

Out Now

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PRESS RELEASE — Haunt Me

Chris Williams & Kid Reverie release “Haunt Me,” an ethereal folk slow-burn that swells into urgency before collapsing back into quiet

Nashville, TN — February 2026

“Haunt Me” begins in reflection and ends in reckoning. Opening with a hushed blend of strings, horn, and synth, the song drifts in quietly—sad, spacious, and unresolved. Chris Williams’ voice enters alone, surrounded by a broad, multi-layered vocal atmosphere that feels less sung than summoned.

After the first verse, the track lingers in an instrumental passage of wordless oohs and sustained textures, withholding rhythm entirely. When the second verse arrives, it carries a subtle shift in tone—more hopeful, more grounded—anchored by a rising cello line that gradually pulls the song forward.

That sense of motion deepens as upright piano, acoustic guitar, bass, and slow-building drums begin to assemble. The arrangement tightens, the vocal cadence changes, and the song moves from contemplation into resolve. Lines like “Hope is for the brave, it’s just lightning, it’s only fireworks” land with growing insistence as the rhythm turns marching, almost ceremonial.

At its peak, “Haunt Me” becomes frenetic and full—voices overlapping, instruments surging—before breaking suddenly. What follows is stark and intimate: a lone vocal and creaking upright piano, recorded closely enough to hear the age of the room itself. A faint, hopeful pad carries the final moments, not offering answers, but space.

“Haunt Me” is a song about persistence rather than closure—about holding onto memory, belief, and momentum even when certainty slips away. It’s a slow burn that rewards patience, allowing its emotional weight to gather before finally letting go.

“Haunt Me” is available on all streaming platforms

Featuring John Paul Grigsby (bass), Max Barcelow (drums), and Russick Smith (cello), “Haunt Me” signals an expanded sonic palette and a deeper level of collaboration between the two songwriters.

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About the Collaboration

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Chris Williams (Wilmington, NC) and Steve Varney—recording as Kid Reverie (Boulder, CO)—connected serendipitously in 2020 through a shared love of the banjo. What began as informal lessons quickly evolved into songwriting sessions, eventually leading to a full-length album created entirely through remote collaboration during the pandemic.

That record, Something from Nothing (2023), marked a rare meeting of two distinct musical voices—Williams’ folk-rooted songwriting and Varney’s textured, exploratory production approach. The album was co-written, co-produced, and largely self-performed by the duo, revealing a creative partnership built on trust, curiosity, and restraint.

Their new material builds on that foundation while pushing further. For the first time, Williams traveled to Colorado to record in person with Varney at The Blasting Room Studios in Fort Collins, alongside producer Andrew Berlin. The sessions allowed for more spontaneity, expanded arrangements, and a shift in songwriting balance.

“With the first album, I was helping Chris finish his songs,” Varney explains.

“On this collection, he did that for me. It feels more collaborative on the songwriting front.”

Selected Discography

"Haunt Me" Single (2026)

"Strawberry Moon" Single (2026)

“Bees” — Single (2025)

Something from Nothing — Album (2023)

About Chris Williams

Raised near Greensboro, North Carolina, Chris Williams grew up immersed in bluegrass, traveling to festivals with his father, a multi-instrumentalist. He learned banjo at an early age and absorbed a wide range of influences—from New Grass Revival and Bela Fleck to jazz and Americana—before stepping away from music for several years.

Following his father’s passing in 2007, Williams returned to songwriting with renewed focus. His solo albums The Farewell Tour (2019) and To Be Determined (2020) reflect a deep engagement with melody, lyrical nuance, and genre-blurring arrangements.

“I’m trying to be true to myself and articulate my truths,” Williams says.

“I listen deeply to other artists, but only to help express my own voice more clearly.”

About Kid Reverie

Kid Reverie is the project of songwriter, producer, and banjoist Steve Varney, longtime collaborator and touring guitarist for Gregory Alan Isakov. Based in Boulder, Colorado, Varney introduced Kid Reverie in 2018 with a self-titled release that balanced intimacy and experimentation.

Across albums and singles, Kid Reverie has explored a wide emotional and sonic range, guided by Varney’s early training in piano, his grounding in traditional instrumentation, and an ongoing fascination with texture and form. His work is marked by patience, curiosity, and an openness to collaboration.