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Spotlight on local music: Drew Wilson

Hometown: Mooloolaba, Queensland, Australia What is your musical background (how were you introduced to music)? I started playing the violin and singing in school choirs when I was 7.
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Drew Wilson

Hometown: Mooloolaba, Queensland, Australia

What is your musical background (how were you introduced to music)?

I started playing the violin and singing in school choirs when I was 7. I picked up the guitar when I started high school and things just happened from there.

What brought you to Whistler?

A year away writing songs and performing… as well as the snow, hiking and biking!

When you aren’t on stage, where can people find you just hanging out?

I work at Roots in the village so either there or just riding my bike around the valley trails with my wife.

Do you play all covers, or original material, too?

I have over 60 original songs and I am recording an album when I get back to Australia late 2008. I play mostly cover favorites around town because that’s what everyone wants to hear when they are out and about drinking. I usually throw a few of my own into a show. I’ll be playing just original songs for the Whistler Arts Council’s street entertainment program though, so I am looking forward to that.

Where do you find inspiration for the songs you write?

I do a lot of reading so little words or ideas pop into my brain all the time. Also just from really basic everyday things. I play my guitars every day so I’m bound to come up with something!

How do you describe your music?

It is a mix of genres and really hard to describe in one term. Its very acoustic/folksy/rocky/bluesy/pop, so I suppose you could call it acforoblupop.

Hit shuffle on your Ipod – what are the first three songs you come across? (Come on, be honest!)

Josh Pyke, “Memories and Dust”; Chris Isaak, “Wicked Game”…. oh ouch… Roxette, “It must have been love”… blame my wife for that one!

Describe a typical rehearsal…

Just basic, really. Pick up a guitar and start strumming and I go from there. If I start to get a song idea I will write, otherwise I will just practice and refine some of my own songs. I very rarely practice covers, only when I am trying to work out a new song that I haven’t performed before.

What’s your favourite song to perform?

I have three. Favourite cover song at the moment to perform is “Hard to Handle,” Black Crowes. Close second would have to be “Champagne Supernova” by Oasis. The Crystal Lounge faithful really like to belt that one out! Third place goes to Justin Timberlake, “What Goes Around” — it’s a weird choice I know, but I have been trying it with my Loop pedal and it seems to go alright.

What song is requested most (that you secretly hate to perform)?

Well that’s not difficult. I’m not a fan of the Plain White T’s song “Delilah”. I think that is because it got played around the clock on radio last year in Australia and I got sick of hearing it. Come to think of it, it’s not really that bad a song in moderation. I also don’t like playing too many Aussie tunes… Makes me homesick!

What’s your favourite venue in town, and why?

Crystal Lounge when they are in full voice (which is most nights). Having trouble hearing yourself sing and play through a monitor because the crowd is singing it louder then you are is always a buzz!

What’s been the most memorable performance of your career?

I played at the HOT91.1 Beach concert last year — which is a huge event — for one of the radio stations in Australia, and that was memorable. There were a few people there from record labels and I played my best show ever so it made it extra special. Playing in front of thousands of people is always fun!

Have you had any embarrassing moments on stage? (If so, please share!)

Not that I can really remember. Breaking strings during a song always sucks a little…. It’s the thought of, “do I keep going and hope that no one notices how out of tune the guitar now is or do I just stop, change guitars and start again?” Always a tough one and I have done both plenty of times. Probably the most embarrassing was being accosted by a number of 50+ year old women on a “girls weekend” away…. It was scary and how I kept playing the guitar and fending off the bum pinchers was beyond me… the show must go on right?

What musician (alive or dead) would you like to jam with?

Alive… Well, I am a closet Bryan Adams fan and I am in Canada so that would probably top this trip off for me…. So if you know him or know anybody that knows him and you could hook it up… I would be eternally grateful. Dead… that would have to be John Lennon… he was The Beatles!

Do you have any upcoming performances in town?

I am playing at the Crystal Lounge in June and July. I am also playing as part of the Whistler Arts Council’s street entertainment program throughout the summer. Hopefully you will see me on a patio somewhere around town, as well. If you are one of those said patio owners, call me!

For more details check http://www.myspace.com/musicdrewwilson .