Will Butler of Arcade Fire goes solo with new album 'Policy'

The little brother of Arcade Fire is going solo.

Will Butler, singer Win’s younger brother, is releasing his first solo album, Policy, in mid-March.

Up until now, Butler has been a core member of the band, composing songs and playing synthesizer, bass, guitar and percussion.

But last year he and Arcade Fire collaborator Owen Pallett earned an Oscar nomination for the soundtrack for Spike Jonze’s movie Her starring Joaquin Phoenix and Scarlett Johansson. 

In his first Canadian interview for his new album, Butler told CBC News that seeing his name up there with Pallett's made him want to create something entirely on his own.

Policy is a chance for Butler to break out his university poetry class studies and write his own lyrics — something he didn't do much of in Arcade Fire.

"That’s Win and Régine’s domain," Butler said.  

Butler is releasing Policy mid-March. He will then embark on a tour, beginning on March 5 at New York City's Bowery Ballroom. He will perform in Montreal March 28-29 before flying to Europe, where he'll spend the month of April. 

Listen here for Will Butler's chat with CBC Montreal arts reporter Jeanette Kelly about whistling into his cellphone, the challenges of writing poetic song lyrics  and why he's interested in such a wide range of musical styles.