Wille and the Bandits - earthy UK roots warriors!
"Definitely destined for big things!"
Headliners By Genre
"The appeal is instant and stays with you. Picked as the Sunday Night Music Club unsigned band of the week and definitely destined for big things" - Sarah Champion, Absolute Radio
Wille and the Bandits have been dubbbed "roots warriors of the UK", and Wille is considered one of Europe's best slide guitar players. This threesome play earthy, original sounding music that covers a wide range of genres, from folk, to blues, to rock. These guys play over 200 gigs and festivals every year, so be sure to catch one of their shows. The track "Keep Your Head Up" has been featured on the first Emerging Icons compilation album as curated by Kaiser Chiefs. To hear more from Wille and the Bandits head to their profile.
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Read our interview with Wille, Andy and Kieran of Wille and the Bandits below!
How did you first get into playing music?
We have all been surrounded by music from a young age, but really only got into playing in our early teens. Kieran and Andy have been playing live since they were 13 years old.
How long have you been playing?
As a band about 3 years, but as individuals we have each been playing about 17 years with various different groups.
How would you describe your sound in one sentence?
Eclectic psychedelic blues roots rock.
What makes you unique?
I guess our combination of sounds. We mix a lot of old style music with a more modern angle. As well as combining instrumentation not commonly paired together. We use a lot of slide guitar, fretless bass and African percussion but in ways you wouldn’t normally associate with these sounds.
What are your goals at the moment?
We have just been confirmed to be the touring support for Status Quo in France. Our immediate goals now are to get on some more high profile supports and spread further across the continent.
What are your main musical inspirations?
Within the band we have a very wide range of influences which we try and amalgamate to create our sound. Our inspiration for songs can come from anything around us, the environment to social commentary.
If you had to listen to one album for the rest of your life what would it be?
Always a hard question, but at the moment we would pick
Wille – One World by John Martyn
Andy – Vs by Pearl Jam
Kieran – Them Crooked Vultures by Them Crooked Vultures
I’m sure this will change in a month or so though.
What do you get up to when you’re not making music?
We don’t get a lot of time off really, if we are not playing a show we are normally setting up tours or rehearsing. We do occasionally get chance to go for a quick surf though.
What do you think of Unsigned Band Review?
It is a really useful tool, especially in today’s difficult musical climate.