Featured Artist - Wolf Willow

Wolf Willow capped off 2023 with a Saskatchewan Music Awards nomination for Roots/Folk Artist of the Year after a year of playing major festivals including Big Winter Classic, Winteruption YEG, Saskatchewan Jazz Festival, Gateway and Swampfest. From the Northern Great Plains of Saskatchewan, Wolf Willow plays original country and western inspired by honky tonk, Western swing and countrypolitan retro sounds. Follow Wolf Willow on instagram.

Wolf Willow both stretches and upholds the retro-country tradition as they have played festivals (Ness Creek ,Gateway, Break-Out West) and tour dates across western Canada. After receiving a Western Canadian Music nomination for Visual Media Composer of the year, Wolf Willow has spent 2020 preparing a new full length album for release. Old Guitars & Shooting Stars was released on Grey Records on October 15, 2021 to rave reviews and four sold out release shows. In 2022/23 Wolf Willow released two EPs Holloway and Marv and Stoneface Sing and are workingon a new full length album for release in fall 2024.

1. What is the coolest show you have ever played? 

In 2021, we played four sold out double album release shows with our friends, The Garrys. It was just such a high point with great crowds, music and friends.

2. How do you keep yourself healthy and happy working in music?

We try to always be looking to the next recording project. Our heros from the 60s and 70s were always recording new music every few months. We want to always be trying to create that next thing. We put out an EP last spring and now we're finishing a new full length record for release in Fall 2024 (on Grey Records of course!).

3. What is the biggest challenge you've experienced in getting to where you are?

We're a large band (Twelve pieces!) and that gives us a great pallete of colours to use in our music, but boy does it take planning to make all the logistics work. When we're recording we sometimes like to pack every up and actually go do a little recording retreat in the Qu'Appelle Valley. It's one of the only ways to get everyone in the same place at the same time.

4. What is the best part of your life that isn't music related?

Some of us in the band like growing big vegetable gardens. We like talking gardening...for example.... did you know that you need to grow about 400 pounds of tomatoes to supply a family of four for a year?

5. What is the best advice you have been given in the music business?

Kindness. The best things seem to happen when you are genuinely good to other people.