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 punk and alternative rock influences.
In 2001, Wil wrote his first album Both Hands selling over 6000 copies off stage subsequently allowing 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. Wil has since released 4 studio albums with a 5th in the works.
In addition to Wils touring career, he also composes music for radio, television and film; his work really hit a high note in 2011, culminating with the news that five of his songs were picked to accompany the stunningly shot video component for Travel Alberta’s 2011/12 “Remember To Breathe” campaign. The 3 – minute flagship video “Alberta” containing Wils song “Roam” hit a milestone in mid April by bridging one million hits. Wils unique sound and song writing style manage to encapsulate and reflect the incredible natural wonders of Alberta, Canada; so much so that Wil is back with this beautiful track called 'There Is' - the new flagship song for this season's 'Remember To Breathe' video campaign.
Wil has a gift and he loves to share it. In his musicianship, lyrics and live performance, he exudes an equal measure of ferocious intent and heart wrenching beauty: as one fan eloquently stated “he’s a saw blade cutting though fine silk”. He 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
Myspace- www.myspace.com/wilibreakstrings
Facebook- www.facebook.com/ibreakstrings
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