"…robust numbers like ‘Tell You Twice,’ ‘Wedding Dress’ and ‘Big Life,’ a hopeful epic co-written with 54-40’s Neil Osborne, bear more of a resemblance to driving, anthemic songs by Arcade Fire and Broken Social Scene, whose members contribute to this powerful major-label debut." Source: Inside Entertainment
Wil was born to parents who were both musically proficient. On Friday nights he would sit and listen while his parents played and sung along to the old crooners and guitar legends such as Johnny Cash, Chet Atkins and Hank Williams.
By the age of 13 he was seriously refining and defining his playing style unknowingly blending his love of "old school country" with new diverse new influences from Led Zepplin to Michael Hedges. He subsequently landed his first paying gig in 1992 and spent a number of years honing his musicianship while finding his true voice
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In 2001, Wil wrote his first album titled "Both Hands". The title track, “Both Hands” was written by friend and writing partner, Jeff Leitl. It sold over 6000 copies off stage and allowed him to tour with artists such as Colin James, Matthew Good, Joel Plaskett Emergency and Xavier Rudd among others as well earning him 4 nominations at the 2005 WCMA’s including producer and “entertainer of the Year”. The CD has since gone on to sell over 16,000 copies.
For Wil’s sophomore release titled By December he collaborated melodically with some of Canada's most respected musicians; producer and multi-instrumentalist Dave MacKinnon (FemBots), " 54-40's Neil Osborne and Broken Social Scene's Jason Collett among others. In October 2008, Big Life a beautiful track from Wil’s last studio album, By December was featured in a pivotal hospital scene in the ABC TV series, Eli Stone (Johnny Lee Miller).
Wil was recently featured in a White Iron Films, Rosie Award-winning documentary entitled, Music Is The Message: Wil, which detailed Wil’s ongoing journey within music. The doc was aired on MuchMoreMusic in September and scooped three awards at the recent ‘Rosies’, including best Best Music or Variety Show.
Wil spent the winter of 2009 at home on Vancouver Island writing the songs for his yet to be titled, third studio album. These songs made the journey from Wil’s home in the woods to his management’s studio space in Calgary before hopping the border to be fully realized in the recording studio. As Wil says, “The recording process…has given me the opportunity to work with a wonderful collective of people; open, honest and loving people who are involved for the sheer love of music and art.
Wil is and will remain, the consummate touring musician, developing his expansive roots-rock sound and world-weary lyricism while building a dedicated following for his famously intense live shows. Wil has always preferred to play live either solo or with “just a drummer”. He says that freedom allows him to immerse himself onstage utterly and completely. One such performance was written up by the Calgary Sun as having so much "power and soul it could stop your heart."
Website- www.ibreakstrings.com
hey Wil, saw you last night in Toronto and it was fantastic. Just what i needed and cant wait to see you again....Peace & Keep on rocking in the free world...
thanks for the welcome. we saw you a couple of times when we were filming in calgary. You're awesome. Give our best to guitarist Pete Bourke AKA Aussie Pete also...
Love all your tunes mister thank you so much for letting me hang out. I'm working on a pic still from the Both Hands disc, this one was done from a Daniel Lanios song Here is What Is. Hope you like it. :)
Wil, been a huge fan for years, I use to work out at woody's in kananaskis, I'm living out in Germany and coming home(toronto) October 3rd or 4th...I'm am constantly missing you by a few day :-( well looking forward to seeing you in the new year...increase the peace and keep on rocking in the free world....cheers
How's the wing, Wil?? Hope you're getting better. Stopped by to see what's new and read your blog.... Man, that musta really fricken' hurt!! Hope to see you down Southern Ontario way before the snow flies again. Have a good one!!
Thanks again for having me out while you were in Ontario. It was a great to watch you play, and get to converse over Creemores. Looking forward to crossing paths again.