"The young don't even know what they don't know yet, and all the people who love good music ain't dead yet. They’re still here too. Rap aint gonna take over. Real music will always withstand everything. Same as Rock ain't taking nothing over either. We aren't re-inventing the wheel, this isn't war."

Garret T. Willie: Real, Pure, and Fresh

Garret T. Willie is an old soul masquerading as an uncommonly wise, weathered, witty and world-weary 23-year-old and he's about to give rock 'n' roll a formidable 21st -century kick in the ass. Garret T. Willie hails from Kingcome Inlet, off the coast of British Columbia but while Willie’s back story also gives him more right than most to sing the blues – and at heart, Garret T. Willie is a rock ‘n’ roller – he’d rather that not be the whole story. Willie is the personification of an open book in the lyric sheet to his upcoming debut record Same Pain. What he offers the world is something it has genuinely been missing for awhile: a contemporary take on hardscrabble blues and the purest and rawest rock 'n' roll to follow its teachings thereafter. He’s studiously schooled in all the right source material, from Howlin’ Wolf, Albert King and Muddy Waters to Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley and Jerry Lee Lewis to The Rolling Stones, Ten Years After, AC/DC, Stevie Ray Vaughan, George Thorogood and everyone else who’s carried the torch into the present, with a little Johnny Cash and Hank Williams thrown in for some outlaw-country flavour on the side.                    (Garret T. Willie / Photo by Nolan Guichon)

And that’s why, on his debut album "Same Pain" (comes out on September 15th, 2023), Garret T. Willie can not only really rip it up on the guitar, but also with the gut-busting honesty of someone who understands that if you ain’t lived it, you shouldn’t sing it. At least that’s the way it is for him. Garret T. Willie has absolutely no interest in emulating the musical past, emulating his heroes. His interest is only in channeling every ounce of the classic blues and rock 'n' roll he venerates so deeply into something new. Bringing it into the now, hustling it towards the future and maybe leaving his signature on the wall for a few of the bored kids to follow in his footsteps. Garret says: "This album was written very quickly, in a time that I wasn’t doing so well. Ups above - and downs below - and limbos in between. I’ve loved a lot of things fast and hard but at the time forgot to love myself. I hope you’ll enjoy the blood sweat and tears that went into this record and I can’t wait to share it all with you."

Interview by Michael Limnios

How has the Blues and Rock Counterculture influenced your views of the world and the journeys you’ve taken?

To be honest, I don’t know much about the world other than mine...

How do you describe your sound, music philosophy and songbook? Where does your creative drive come from?

My sound is real. I focus on getting a real honest sound - nothing too out there. Sometimes I'll get an idea that I wanna jump on, but more or less I just focus on living and the music comes later.

What moment changed your music life the most? What´s been the highlights in your life and career so far?

Meeting John Fogerty in 2022, and opening for him at Laketown Rock. Going on my first big tour with my new band and kicking it off by opening for Kenny Wayne Shepherd in 2023 and meeting his band.

"I think the balance between technique and soul is first you have the soul, and then you learn how to express it on the guitar, or what ever instrument you desire. You gotta learn to do it right and authentically. If not, then you're just pretending." (Garret T. Willie / Photo by Nolan Guichon)

What do you miss most nowadays from the music of the past? What are your hopes and fears for the future of?

I miss Stevie Ray Vaughan, and the music he felt and created. I miss Bon Scott and his ability to write. So, I take what excited me about them and I smash it out on stage today, not only to pay homage to them but to tell my own story too. My fear for the future is that people get so sensitive these days. They don't want to go to festivals any more because “It's too loud."

What's the balance in music between technique and soul? Why is it important to we preserve and spread the blues?

I think the balance between technique and soul is first you have the soul, and then you learn how to express it on the guitar, or what ever instrument you desire. You gotta learn to do it right and authentically. If not, then you're just pretending.

What is the impact of music on the socio-cultural implications? How do you want the music to affect people?

I just want people to feel it in their heart and souls.

What are some of the most important lessons you have learned from your experience in the music paths?

Be prepared to have all your pre conceived notions of touring blown right out of the water. Be ready to move with it, and learn how it's done. Know your limitations but don't be too limited.

Do you think there is an audience for Blues Rock music in its current state? or at least a potential for young people to become future audiences and fans?

The young don't even know what they don't know yet, and all the people who love good music ain't dead yet. They’re still here too. Rap ain't gonna take over. Real music will always withstand everything. Same as Rock ain't taking nothing over either. We aren't re-inventing the wheel, this isn't war.

Garret T. Willie - Home

(Garret T. Willie / Photo by Nolan Guichon)