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

Thelittle brother of Arcade Fire is going solo.

Will Butler, singer Wins 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 andpercussion.

But last year he and Arcade Fire collaborator OwenPallettearned an Oscar nomination for the soundtrack for SpikeJonzesmovieHer starring Joaquin Phoenix andScarlettJohansson.

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

Policyis 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.

"Thats Win andRginesdomain,"Butler said.

Butler is releasingPolicymid-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.