Willie Dowling is a multi-instrumentalist, singer, composer and producer for his own bands, as well as for other artists and for film and television.
He wrote the songs and underscore for the return of the legendary satirical puppet show ‘Spitting Image’, and he has worked on many other TV shows and films starring luminaries such as Steve Coogan (‘Dr Terrible’s House of Horrible’, ‘I’m Not An Animal’), Rob Brydon & Julia Davis (‘Human Remains’), Maureen Lipman Steve Spiers and Ralph Brown (‘Caught In The Act’) Stephen Fry and Rik Mayall (‘Snow White, the Sequel’), Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer (‘Catterick’), Lenny Henry, Armstrong & Miller, amongst many, many others.
Rats In The Maze (369 Music) is the new release from Willie Dowling. The song is available from September 4th 2026, on all the usual digital music platforms, including Bandcamp.
The music video for Rats In The Maze was produced and directed by James Heron of Carriage Return. Watch the video on YouTube, here.
Rats In The Maze is the second track from Willie Dowling to be released this year. The first was Carry On Refusing, which followed in the footsteps of Dowling’s critically acclaimed album of piano-driven rock songs The Simpleton, released in November 2024.
Willie Dowling has spent a lot of time in his recording studio in France since touring The Simpleton album throughout 2025. He has a new album recorded, as yet untitled, which is expected to be released early in 2027.
Over the years Willie has fronted, written and produced albums for influential rockers The Grip, Honeycrack, Jackdaw4 and The Dowling Poole.
Willie has played studio sessions for, and toured with a wide variety of artists including Dr Hook, Midge Ure, Hot Chocolate, The Wildhearts, Quireboys, Shane McGowan, Maroon Town, Andy Taylor and numerous acts besides, usually on keyboards, guitars and vocals, along with occasional other instruments.