Torquay singer’s star is rising

TORQUAY’S Will Gibb is a star on the rise, and with his debut EP Dreams are Gone on the way, anything is possible for the driven 20-year-old.

The folk, americana and acoustic soloist is heading into an exciting era of his musical life, and he believes the sky is the limit.

Gibb will be releasing five original songs on April 1 and will be combining the milestone with a local tour of his new material.

A debut show is on the cards at Bells Brewery, followed by three shows at the Port Fairy Folk Festival and dates in Geelong and Melbourne.

 

Gibb said music had always been a huge part of his life and credited his father, school teachers and industry superstar Troy Casser-Daley for giving him the bug.

“I listened to CDs all the time from what dad showed me when I was little, but when I really got stuck into it was at Surf Coast Secondary College.

“I had the best music teacher ever in Evan Jones who really fostered me through the VET music program. This opportunity allowed me to play at the Barwon Club and play at local markets. It was firsthand exposure in front of the public.

“It just grew my hunger, and my eyes were opened to 70s, 80s and growing a love for older music. Pearl Jam, acoustic grunge, the list goes on. I’m definitely an old soul.”

The 20-year-old said his music centralises on storytelling – in his opinion the most important element of strong writing.

“I certainly to strive for it, that’s for sure.

 

“The storytelling process for the new EP was over one or two years. It wasn’t working on it 9 to 5, but they were songs I’d written a couple years back but just refined.

“One of the main songs Mess Up My Day, is loosely based on Clark Griswold, and I used a lot of metaphors and cliches. It’s a real literal song which takes you right to where you should be.

“It’s all about those finicky things in life that truly mess things up – people cutting in front of you, stubbing your toe and so on.

“Lots of songs are all about being vulnerable about feelings and emotions, whereas this was goofier and more fun to write.”

The 20-year-old has climbed the ranks of the musical world since winning a scholarship in partnership with the Woodford Folk Festival in Queensland.

He said the experience of being among star musicians from around the country was unlike anything he’d done before.

“To be part of one of the biggest folk festivals in the world was incredible. There were 10 of us selected from across Australia.

“It was a really cool experience, we worked with mentors and it was really stripped back and the bonding was awesome. When you’re sitting around a campfire exchanging stories, it certainly doesn’t feel forced.

 

“Luckily because of the success of the first one, I got invited back recently to play a 30-minute solo and it was the best experience ever.

“I played all my originals, and I’d never done anything like it. I was so used to playing covers, but it just opened my eyes.”

He credits the program for pushing him to be a better musician.

“I was never happy with anything I wrote growing up. There was no feeling behind a lot of the songs, but after the program my eyes were just opened.

“Being vulnerable and playing your own music, you’re honestly betting on yourself, but it’s a privilege and I’m glad it’s going well so far.”

Gibb said the past few years of hard work have paved the way for an exciting future.

“I’ve never been a big ‘I want to be famous’ kind of guy, but I would love to just play festivals, that’s my goal.

“I just want to bet on myself, keep writing, and potentially start a band around me.

“Travel is also high on the list and to play music while I’m doing it would be a huge aspiration.”