Quebec born, Calgary raised, Vancouver Island based singer/ songwriter Wil Mimnaugh aka Wil, likes people plain and simple, whether playing with a group or solo.
“It’s all about people. That’s what I write about. Things they can relate with, things they experience,” said Wil, calling during a lunch break from his part time job felling trees in Qualicum.
Of course he’d rather be on the road, either with a band, or solo, like he will be for three weeks on this tour, which will go out to Winnipeg and back to Tofino, stopping in Lethbridge, Nov. 23 at the Owl Acoustic Lounge.
“ I’m always writing, coming up with images. That’s the illustrative power of music,” he continued.
“Most places are great to play. You always meet such great people when you are on tour,” he said, adding touring with people can be fun too, as long as it is the right people.
“Being in a band is like being in a marriage,” Wil said.
“There are so many variables when you tour with other people. I’d rather tour with somebody I can hang out with but who may not be as good of a player. Rather than someone who can play really well and is a complete asshole,” he said.
“So I’m stoked about it,” he said adding he released his latest record “In This Together,” in April, and a little too late to play all of the summer festivals he would have liked, but is already writing the next one with an eye on releasing it in January , so he will be able to play the festival circuit next summer.
While the current CD has a full band behind him, the next CD will just be him playing solo.
“I started out as a solo artist,” he said.
He released his debut CD “Both Hands,” independently in 2002, which was picked up and re-released in 2004 followed up by an EP and two more CDs in 2007.
“ I’d tour 340 days a year if I could,” he said adding he enjoys touring solo as much as he does with a band, assuming it is the right group of people.
He is looking forward to beginning a tour with Leeroy Stagger in the coming few weeks, which will take them to Winnipeg and back home.
“We’ve toured before. I really enjoy traveling with Leeroy Stagger. We get along really well. He’s easy to get along with and that’s more important than anything else,” he said.
The show starts at approximately 8 p.m., Nov. 23. there is no cover.
