Vancouver Island blues rock musician Garret T. Willie is capturing global attention with his raw, powerful sound, as his latest artistic endeavor honors a deeply personal family legacy. The rising star, whose 2023 debut album "Same Pain" established him on the international scene, has returned to his roots for his sophomore release, drawing inspiration from his grandfather's iconic Alert Bay establishment.
A Tribute to Family Roots and Musical Beginnings
For his highly anticipated follow-up album, Willie journeyed back to the very location where he performed some of his earliest shows: Bill's Cafe in Alert Bay. This pool-hall cafe, owned by his grandfather, served as the foundational training ground where Willie first developed his hard-rocking musical style. The new nine-track album, scheduled for release on February 27, takes its name from this cherished venue, which tragically burned down around 2010 and never reopened.
"I was born in Campbell River, but I'm from Alert Bay and grew up between the two places my whole life," Willie explained. "Bill's Cafe was the first place you saw coming off the ferry to Cormorant Island, and I spent a fair amount of time there growing up. When I'm on tour, I just say I'm from Vancouver Island."
Forging a Distinct Musical Identity
Driven by his distinctive baritone growl and searing guitar solos, Willie's music creates a unique fusion that critics have described as reminiscent of Bon Scott-era AC/DC backing Howlin' Wolf at an intense jam session. At just 25 years old, the musician coaxes blistering solos from his Les Paul guitar with the confidence and skill of a seasoned veteran boasting decades of experience.
Willie attributes this distinctive blend to his diverse musical influences and natural evolution as an artist. "I was a huge Stevie Ray Vaughan fan in my early days, but the Bon Scott era of AC/DC was a favourite for as long as I can remember," he shared. "By the time you get to Back in Black, it gets a little more complex and stadium status rock 'n' roll, which I also love. But the Bon Scott era still has that quality that gets you up and dancing."
Rapid Rise to International Recognition
Willie's driving boogie rhythms and authentic sound have earned him significant accolades, including Western Canadian Music Award nominations in both blues and Indigenous music categories. His music has broken into the top 20 on both the U.K. blues albums chart and U.S. roots music blues rock charts, demonstrating his growing international appeal.
High-profile opportunities, such as opening for legendary musician John Fogerty and performing on Joe Bonamassa's Blues Cruise, have brought Willie's raw talent to the attention of fans worldwide. A common question in concert comment sections asks how this West Coast artist developed such a gritty, authentic voice that sounds straight from the blues crossroads.
"When I first decided I wanted to pursue a musical career, I was very much a country music artist playing Hank Williams Jr., Johnny Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis songs," Willie revealed. "I'd always related to the blues since a young age, but didn't really understand it. Eventually, I started singing some blues and was pretty awful at first. But the voice is a muscle and the more you exercise it, the better it gets until you find your spot."
Collaboration with Grammy-Winning Producer
Another crucial element in Willie's artistic development and the creation of the "Bill's Cafe" album was his collaboration with Grammy-winning producer Tom Hambridge. Hambridge, whose impressive resume includes work with blues luminaries such as Buddy Guy, Christone "Kingfish" Ingram, and Susan Tedeschi of Tedeschi/Trucks Band fame, brought invaluable expertise to the project.
While Willie had previously worked with Hot Hot Heat/Gay Nineties bassist and producer Parker Bossley on "Same Pain," the connection with Hambridge emerged through a fortunate series of events. A chance introduction through Kenny Wayne Sheppard's agent Gary Buck led to a meeting backstage at Buddy Guy's Massey Hall show in Toronto.
"Gary Buck suggested that Tom would be a good fit for us for the next record and that he would be in Toronto for Buddy Guy's show at Massey Hall if we wanted to meet him," Willie recounted. "So we put up the cost for a couple of tickets, went to Massey Hall, met Tom backstage and agreed to work together. A few months later, I was in Nashville for our first writing session and did two more trips to have enough material for the full album."
This collaboration represents a significant milestone in Willie's career, combining his Vancouver Island roots with Nashville's legendary production expertise to create an album that honors family history while pushing musical boundaries forward.
