Many, many people cruise on through Golden, B.C. as just one fuel stop on the Trans-Canada en route to the B.C. Interior.
The members of rock band Willhorse, though, stopped in, not just for a good time, but for some time.
Now based in Golden, stubblejumpers Jeremy Borschneck, Branden Winterholt and Nick Petrowich originally struggled to find gigs in Saskatchewan prairie towns. After moving to Golden, though, the trio hooked up with Ontarian Todd Menzies and Willhorse was born a couple of years ago.
These days, the hard working band is playing as much as possible, on the road constantly and taking its southern rock sound to northern venues.
Willhorse will share a stage with Vancouver Island’s Rolla Olak at Banff’s Elk and Oarsman, Monday (Dec. 16).
Willhorse, said Menzies, is on the road again, playing gigs from Edmonton to the West Coast.
“We met Rolla at the Peak Performance Project. We’ve done a few shows together and he’ll open for us. He fits right in, right down to the long hair and beard.”
The Peak Performance Project, sponsored by 102.7 The Peak in Vancouver, has been a jumping off point for several bands that tour regularly through the Bow Valley, including Current Swell, the Harpoonist and the Axe Murderer, The Matinee and others.
Both Willhorse and Olak made it to the top 20 stage and Willhorse the top five. They met in the songwriting stage of the event and took second place ($500) for their song “Let it Roll,” a hard-driving rock number featuring multi-part harmonies.
“That was great exposure for us,” said Menzies, “and we won $5,000, which is pretty good. It’s paid for gas and to get some merchandise.”
The exposure has meant Willhorse members are going at their music full time these days and are in the midst of playing 17 shows in December with Olak as part of the Winter Wolfpack Tour. They also hit the road to cross Canada on a 40 gigs in 62 days tour.
As well, they’re working on a new album which will follow The Farm Sessions (2013) EP and the full-length Willhorse (2012).
“Songwriting for us is a collaborative effort,” said Menzies. “We split the songwriting credits and everybody comes up with ideas. We love Golden and we have a good following in ski towns like Nelson and Fernie and Banff.”
The band has played B.C. festivals in Kelowna, Kitsilano and other areas, landed a Canada Day gig in Golden and played NXNE in June before touring eastern Canada.
“Right now, we’re trying to spread our wings and spread our name around,” said Menzies. “In March we’re going to tour the U.S. western states and head east for Canadian Music Week.
“For winter, we’ll do some shows at good ski towns, but mostly stay home. When you live in Golden, you always have to drive through a pass to go somewhere.”
Come summer time, when the driving is easy, Willhorse packs up its 1973 36-foot MCI bus to hit the road “and then we don’t have to spend money on hotels,” said Menzies.
“Touring is our bread and butter and being in Golden means it’s not a real long drive to Edmonton or to Vancouver for shows.”
Willhorse’s high energy live performances has earned them shared stages with Said the Whale, 54-40, The Breakmen, Leeroy Stagger, Elliot Brood and Shred Kelly.
Olak grew up on Vancouver Island and got his musical start early on, moving to Toronto to play guitar in a pop-rock group. A few radio hits and extensive touring throughout North America and Japan followed.
Returning to Canada, Olak began exploring the studio and songwriting with fellow bandmate-turned-producer, Stephen Kozmeniuk, which led to the recording of his first self-titled debut album.
On moving back to the West Coast, Olak transformed a shed in his backyard into a recording studio where he recorded Western Heart, his second solo album. In the quiet confines of the Tone Shed, the band played live as Rolla was inspired by great singer-songwriters such as Bob Dylan, Tom Petty and Neil Young.
The completed album features eight pop-rock songs, including a duet “God Only Knows” with Canadian songstress Louise Burns, and “Magic Spell” currently being played on commercial radio.
