You have a unique sound that is almost too mature for your age. How are you going to negotiate space in the current music scene where there are not that many Willows around?
The fact that there aren’t many Willows out there sounds like a great thing to me, there’s nothing I like more than being unique. Also I think that you carve your own niche by just by staying true to yourself. If it’s genuine music that your creating then that conveys real emotion and it will find an audience.
Which musician has influenced you the most?
Wow, that’s a tough one! There are so many different people that I draw influence from, and that’s the way I like it. There is an almost infinite amount of great music so why hide behind one genre. But if I had to say one person off the top of my head, maybe Mick Jagger or David Gilmour.
How easy or difficult was it to get signed?
At the time it seemed hard because there were a few upsets, not major, but ones that meant that I needed a little longer to hone my sound. But considering that I had been looking for a label for less than a year, it was relatively quick. Easy, maybe not; I had to play in the Warner board room to all their executives with nothing but my acoustic guitar. Luckily they liked what they heard.
You’re a skilled guitar player, what other instruments do you play?
I’ve been trying to learn the piano recently and it’s been coming on pretty well. It’s great for songwriting because I’m not as inclined to solo all the time like I am on the guitar. I’m actually forced to just play chords, so it’s easier to work out melodies and come up with songs. Many of my recent songs were written on piano.
Name the top 3 guitar solos in rock history?
Comfortably Numb! Sweet Child O’ Mine and Sympathy For The Devil (Live Get Yer Ya Ya’s Out).
Tell us about your favourite live performance?
Best live performance was probably watching David Gilmour at the Albert Hall. The setting in itself is incredible, such a amazing vibe to watch music. On top of that, the lighting rig he uses is by far the most astonishing I have ever seen. Add Comfortably Numb to that mix and you have a recipe for genius!
Take us through your writing process – what comes in what order and where do you find inspiration for your music?
I write lyrics all the time and keep them in a journal, often leaving them for months. Then when I come up with something on the guitar or piano I have a huge amount of material that I can match to the music, usually the lyric finds the song easily. But it varies a lot, sometimes I just start recording a song and the lyrics appear out of nowhere just as I needed them. Inspiration comes from many things; the places I visit, and people that I meet. Most of all, it comes from the things I’m feeling at that time, the best of which, for me, are sad feelings haha. Although I’m trying to diversify and sing about happy things too.
The video for your first track Stones is premiering in April, what can we be expect?
Ahh the video, think it’s a great fit for “Stones”. It’s basically me walking around London looking all moody, after I realise I shouldn’t have left the girl I love. And of course a climactic guitar solo scene for the ending. So keep an eye out!
Who would you like to do a duet with?
I would absolutely love to do a duet with Lana Del Rey, she’s one of the few contemporary pop singers that I really get as an artist. I think that some of my dreamy guitar work would go well with her voice. John Mayer is another person who is a big influence, would be great to have a jam with him, have him teach me a few tricks!
Who is Willow aside from being a musician?
Willow is a madman! Haha no, I’m a lover, not a hater. Painting, drawing and reading are my other passions. Anything relating to the arts floats my boat. Also I’m pretty into philosophy and astro physics. I think a lot about this stuff. It used to keep me awake at night, but now I’ve kind of come to terms with it all. And of course to lighten the mood, who doesn’t like seeing friends and getting a little debauched on a night out?
Willow’s first EP Stones is released on ClarkMcgee by Warner Chapel on 29th April but you can listen to it on Willow’s SOUNDCLOUD.
Interview by Kenia Lopez
Photography by Andrea Vecchiato
Clothes by Mark Powell Bespoke
Grooming by Maria Costanzo Bello