Will W. Plays Canadian Music Week
Upcoming Dance Pop Artist Performs Bodytalk Live in Toronto
Mar 12, 2009
As part of this week long celebration of our nation’s talent, Suite101 chatted via e-mail with Will W. who released one of my favourite dance pop albums of last year, Bodytalk.
Suite101: Last year you released your very personal dance-pop album Bodytalk. How has this record changed your life?
WW: Hey James! It’s a pleasure chatting with you and Suite 101 readers, so thanks for having me. Hello everyone.
I can’t say that Bodytalk has propelled me into superstardom, but it gives me an incredible sense of validation. Occasionally, I’ll Google “Will-W. Bodytalk” and actually find something written about me and not just searches related to […] albums called “Body Talk” from the ‘80s with hilarious album covers!
My success has been steady and on a small-scale. For someone who finances and promotes their music independently, the success I have achieved is already quite a feat. I am ambitious and sometimes lose sight of this.
I’ve gotten airplay here in Canada on Top 40 radio and an incredible amount of support from the GLBT community. In addition to being honoured “Best Single by a Local Artist” in a nationally-read publication for “Gettin’ 2 Know U”, I was recently asked to perform at Canadian Music Week. This is something I only dreamed of doing not too long ago.
Suite101: How does it feel to be part of Canadian Music Week?
WW: I’m extremely excited about it. It’s actually this Saturday night. Unlike many of the other showcases, my performance is strictly a one-man show. All I need is a mic, my backing tracks, some flashy projections, an audience that wants to have fun and we’re good to go! It will be a true test of my ability as an entertainer to keep an audience’s attention for the whole set.
Suite101: You recently did a guest review of Kelly Clarkson’s All I Ever Wanted on arjanwrites.com, and while she and Leona Lewis, who won the UK’ X-Factor, have become international stars, winners of Canadian Idol barely break Canada. Do Canadians still back Canadian talent?
WW: I agree somewhat with the statement that Canadians do not support their own talent enough. On the same note though, we are very lucky in Canada to have such diverse and discerning tastes. Whether it be film or music, many artists launch their taste-making campaigns in our market first. That being said, we Canadians are bombarded with a wide selection of imported talent and I believe this makes it very easy for us to overlook the bed of talent we have here.
Kelly Clarkson and Leona Lewis are superstars not only because of their remarkable talent, but they also have the financial backing of powerful key players, that Canadian Idols might not have. The fact that Canadian Idol has not been renewed this season speaks volumes.
Suite101: Canada seems defined by Nickelback, Alanis Morissette, Sarah MacLaclan and Celine Dion, yet Canada was one of the first countries to place Lady GaGa at the top of the charts. Why do you think Canadian dance artists have such a hard time breaking into the international scene?
WW: Canadian charts are dependent on airplay, MuchMusic promotion and iTunes sales. All three work hard in hand, affecting the other. Lady GaGa worked very hard doing a radio tour across Canada before releasing The Fame, building a relationship with her audience here. She deserves the success she is now achieving.
Canadian labels generally do not feel that dance pop is a genre worthy of investment. Other than the urban centres of Canada, folk, country and rock music dominate the Canadian music landscape. Since the market is established in its tastes, record labels cater to what audiences are familiar with.
Suite101: I grew up watching Canadian music oriented shows such as Good Rockin’ Tonight, The New Music and Samantha Taylor’s Video Hits. But today, with MTV Canada being little more than airspace for American reality shows and MuchMusic being more Much than Music, as an artist, how do Canadian acts get heard?
WW: Yes! I loved Video Hits! I would rush home after school every day to catch it on CBC. And also, don’t forget Toronto Rocks on CityTV!
I think artists now have to rely more on non-traditional means of being heard. Radio and television have a deadlocked relationship with major corporations/labels and if you’re not in that game, the odds are stacked against you.
The beauty of the Internet is that it allows you access to a global audience. I truly believe that if you’ve got the goods, there will be an audience for you at the end of the day.
Suite101: The record’s out, you’re playing gigs all around Toronto and you’ve won Battle of the Beats - what’s next for Will-W?
WW: Yes, my current single Push The Envelope had the distinction of winning multiple nights on the nation’s capital’s #1 Hit Music Station’s Battle of the Beats. It was put up against the latest singles by Beyoncé, Lady Gaga and more. Yes, I’m a major star now as you can see (laughs).
Suite101: Who is your favourite Canadian Dance Act right now?
WW: I am a huge fan of Dragonette [...] they are the perfect blend of dance, pop and rock. I am extremely excited for their second album. Deadmau5 is also making quite a splash on the dance music scene.
Will W. plays at The Poor Alex Theatre (772A Dundas Street West, Toronto) on Saturday, March 14th at 11:50 PM as part of the PROUD-FM showcase. Bodytalk is available on iTunes and Amazon.com.
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