Will Wilde picked up his first harmonica at a house party when he was sixteen and has taken the instrument beyond its blues roots after first emerging on the music scene in 2010. Will used to play along to Muddy Waters records for hours at a time and grew up listening to British hard rock. At first his music reflected traditional Chicago Blues but he later developed a more aggressive style that draws from the rock music he grew up on.
Music also runs in Will’s family. His grandfather was a wartime jazz ‘n’ blues pianist and his sister, Dani Wilde, is an acclaimed blues and country singer.
On his album, Bring it on Home, his hard-edged harmonica steals the spotlight from the traditional rock guitar, with a sound that owes as much to Slash or Jimi Hendrix as it does to Sonny Boy Williamson or Little Walter.
He has been inspired by artists such as Tom Morello and has created his own signature harmonica tunings.
“I’m interested in the creative, unconventional way that Morello approaches his instrument. I’m always looking to make new interesting sounds with the harmonica too, pushing its boundaries, trying to change people’s perception of it.”
He has had a diverse career where he has shared a stage with the likes of Taj Mahal on the Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise in Mexico to appearing at festivals, such as The Rambling Man Fair in Kent and on the same bill as Black Stone Cherry and Thunder.
“Fucking Badass!”
(John Popper- Blues Traveler)
“One of the best harmonica players anywhere!”
(Walter Trout)
