[2] While living in Alaska every summer growing up, Van worked on his father's commercial salmon fishing boat, the Shawnee, on Kodiak Island.
Van has cited Neil Young, Kurt Cobain, and Lily Allen as his musical heroes.
[3] On July 18, 2017, NPR premiered the music video for "Revolution", featuring the Swedish folk group First Aid Kit.
This also served as the announcement for the release of The Revolution EP, Van's solo debut, in September.
[6] Following the release of Countries, Van William performed with First Aid Kit during their 2018 world tour for their album Ruins.