Will Wilde
Barry Middleton (BM) interview with Will “Harmonica” Wilde (Will) - June 2010
great line up and a decent budget to make it with, so I’m very excited about it. I’ve grown a lot as an artist since my first record so I can’t wait to get this one finished! Also the next Dani Wilde album (which I played on) is being released on Ruf Records in Aug/Sept so I will be busy touring with her band to promote its release.
BM: What was the first gig you played and who with?
Will: I don’t remember what my first gig was. I’ve always played music with my sister (Dani Wilde) since we were very young. I suppose the first proper gig we played at a blues venue would have been at Riffs bar in Swindon when I was about 13 years old.
BM: What were your first experiences of the Blues, is it a family thing?
Will: I've grown up hearing blues for as long as I can remember... My Dad is a HUGE blues fan, so he has blues playing all the time, in the car, around the house. The first blues song I remember really connecting with was Sonny Boys' Help Me, I must have been maybe 6/7 yrs old and my Dad had it playing on the stereo. Something about that really struck a chord with me. It's still one of my favourite songs today.
BM: Who were the influences on your musical career as a harmonica player?
Will: To begin with it was all the guys who used to play with Muddy Waters; Jerry Portnoy and James Cotton in particular. I started out playing along to Muddy Waters records and copying licks and phrases. Also Snooky Pryor, Walter Horton, Carey Bell, Sonny Boy Williamson, Rod Piazza and Charlie Musselwhite were all big influences on me, the list is endless. More modern influences include Paul Lamb and Pierre Lacocque of Mississippi Heat.
BM: Can you see yourself playing professionally in a band in 10 years time?
Will: Yes! I wouldn’t know what else to do! There’s nothing else I want to do. Playing in a band is all I’ve ever seen myself doing.
BM: What’s next in your musical career?
Will: I will be recording a new Album in July which will be released later this year. I’ve got a
well. As I said, I’m preparing for my second album now, which will be released this year. The track I’m most looking forward to recording is a song I wrote called “Blues Is My First Love (you come second babe)”. It’s a song I wrote for my girlfriend. Hahaha! This album will be much more eclectic than the previous one, showing more of my soul and funk influences. The first album was a straight up Chicago style blues record.
BM: Why do you feel that young people are not as attracted to the Blues as other Genres?
Will: From my experience, I have found that most people of all ages like blues. It’s just that most people don’t hear it very often! I think that when blues is marketed in the right way, people are attracted to it. Artists like the White Stripes, Black Keys and Seasick Steve are proof of this.
BM: Do you play any other instruments?
Will: I started out as a drummer, I actually studied drums for a year at college, but while I was there I started to make progress on the harp and lost interest in drums! I can also play guitar and bass. When I write songs I usually record everything myself on to a multi-track and then pass it to the band to learn.
BM: Whose playing style do you think yours most resembles?
Will: I have often been told that I sound a bit like Paul Butterfield, which is strange because I’ve never really listened to him that much! I can see the resemblance though. I would say my sound is more along the lines of Charlie Musselwhite or Pierre Lacocque as opposed to the classic Little Walter sound that a lot of people go for. I try to be as innovative as possible.
BM: Do you think that Blues needs to evolve to stay relevant?
Will: I think that if it is played well, authentic blues will always be relevant. However, I do think that it is important for modern artists to bring something new to it; I can’t see the point in playing the same old 12-bars over and over. It’s already been done!!!
BM: Tell us a little about your CD and what songs in particular stand out for you?
Will: My debut CD “Nothin’ But Trouble” was released about two years ago now. My favourite track is probably “Blues Taking Over” I think it captured the overall energy of the band really
BM: You have been nominated for the Best British Harmonica Player, what do you think of this achievement?
Will: I’m very honoured to have been nominated for this award, especially alongside the likes of Paul Lamb and Eddie Martin, who have been great influences on me as an artist. It’s nice to know that all the hard work touring up and down the country is starting to pay off!
BM: What other styles of music have you drawn inspiration from?
Will: I take inspiration from lots of different styles of music. In particular Soul, 70’s Rock, Funk, I even rap in one of my songs!
BM: If you had the opportunity to play with any blues artist dead or alive live on stage who would it be?
Will: Muddy Waters. Without a doubt.
BM: Who is your favourite act on the British blues scene?
Will: Paul Lamb and the Kingsnakes.
BM: What can be done to keep the blues music fresh and modern or do you think it should stay in the past?
Will: Take inspiration from lots of different places and never be afraid to try something new!
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