Minds Behind the Music News, Reviews & Views

Picture by Victoria Ilcags

Dancing All Night With Bill

Bill Wood is a veteran singer-songwriter, who’s been around for quite a while. He's a Juno-nominated musician, a family man as well as a carpenter but most of all, he's an accomplished artist who's still on top of his game.

We reviewed his excellent “Dance All Night With Me” recently, a tune that blends a variety of influences, ranging from Tex-Mex to sixties-flavoured pop-rock. Bill’s currently busy recording a new album with his band, The Woodies, but lucky for us, the Canadian rocker found some time to talk to the MBTM blog.

You’ve had a long career in music. Can you tell us about your Juno-nominated 80s band Eye Eye?

Eye Eye was a great experience. The first album did quite well. Then thing’s changed rapidly. All of a sudden everything was decided by committee with the record company, and it was very difficult. The second record was a dud. We tried to keep going but the death of our drummer and close friend Mark Caporal squashed any remaining desire to continue. I stepped away to focus on my family. However, recently myself and Andy Ryan have been releasing singles under the Eye Eye name and it’s a very satisfying full-circle experience. They’re available on all of the streaming platforms.

You took the 1990s off to raise a family. How do you look back on that era in your life?

I have no regrets about stepping away. I needed to heal from the rotten experience we went through and I needed to develop my own songwriting. In Eye Eye I was brought on board to be the frontman and cowriter.

Was music present in your childhood home?

Yes. Both of my parents were musical. My dad had a wonderful, powerful voice and did the odd local television appearance. I was raised by two Glaswegians and every party turned into a variety show.

The Woodies were formed after your solo album “Take It”. Why did you want to go back to the band dynamic?

I wanted to perform live again. Even though the Woodies are a band, I do all of the songwriting. I do solo and duo shows but performing with the full band is magic.

In terms of your lyrics, what do you write about?

I write about my life. I write about life around me. I also just like to write fun songs that make you dance. I don’t analyze stuff while I create. I just let it happen.

Besides music, what other jobs have you had? Is there a favourite alternate profession and why?

I’m a carpenter. I did renovation work to help pay the bills. I still do the odd job for folks but mostly I’m playing music these days.

What’s your philosophy on life?

I try to be a positive person. I’ve struggled with addiction and depression and all of that. I’m grateful to have survived it all and live my life with gratitude every day.

What’s next on the agenda? Is there an album in the works?

"Dance All Night With Me" is the first single off of our upcoming record that will be released sometime in 2026. The album will be titled "Same Old Hurt". It’s sounding great! I’m very excited!! Stay tuned!!