Submitted
Fresh off the release of his new LP, El Paseo, WiL swings by the Waverley on Saturday to share it with fans.
WiL’s story may be well know to Waverley patrons: An impromptu acoustic performance for a birthday song at Calgary’s Barley Mill Pub led to his first gig and soon enough he was playing his favourite covers to a packed house five nights a week.
Being the early ’90s. that meant Nirvana, Jeff Buckley, Pearl Jam and Radiohead, but he eventually decided he needed to write his own music. In 2002 WiL released his debut album Both Hands, leading to three WCMA’s nominations including a nod for ‘Producer’ and ‘Best Live Act’. The next three years involved touring with the likes of Colin James, Xavier Rudd, The Tea Party and Matthew Good among others.
WiL is proud of his latest release.
“Like my career, there’s no certainty; of fame, of money, of anything really – I am just in it for the ride (with my gal, of course),” he said. “It’s bloody scary and thrilling, dark and bright, wondrous and wicked. It’s a roller coaster ride. That’s why this album is called El Paseo – it means ‘The Ride’ in Spanish.”
Tickets for WiL ($15) are available at Bop City, The Waverley Hotel, by phone (250)336-8322 or online at cumberlandvillageworks.com
