Today we’d like to introduce you to Will Surphlis.
Hi Will, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I started playing guitar when I was 11 years old and felt a large connection to Music at that time. I fell in love with Angus Young from AC/DC and wanted to learn guitar and be just like him.
Since then, I’ve grown into a professional musician who works daily and has performed up to 140 gigs a year. I am a Canadian and when I first began playing music live it was in a bar called Ballers in Ontario. About 5 years ago, I began perusing music as a career and never looked back.
It started slowly with 1 gig a week then Gradually built up to 5. Teaching on the side has also been a great source for me to continue doing what I love. When the pandemic first started, we were hit with harsh lockdowns shutting down all bars and venues in Ontario and I lost all my work. As a sole proprietor to what I do, it was hard to keep going but I kept pushing.
Through it. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t consider leaving my dream at the time but the support around me from friends family and even fans was unwavering. I started to perform in the streets and at parks to make a little money from tips to keep going and some amazing things happened throughout that time.
I would be playing songs such as “three little birds” by Bob Marley and “don’t worry be happy” to try and uplift the people around me. I literally had people come up crying saying how much they needed that boost in life.
I met a girl in 2020 during that time and she was the love of my life. She was also a musician and I felt like it was meant to be. We met on a beach in Canada and I felt like it was a fairy tale. Unfortunately, that relationship didn’t work out though and I went into a deep state of depression. Music and writing are what helped me get back.
Fast forward a year and a half. In November 2021 I decided to go on the road. I put a bed in the back of a 2011 dodge caravan, brought my guitar, and started to travel the United States. The trip began in Cleveland Ohio where I went to the Rock and Roll hall of fame. The inspiration I gathered from that experience will forever be with me and began my journey for the next 3 months.
I then traveled to Nashville, Tennessee, and got a chance to play on the stage of Tootsies which is a world-famous venue where stars like Willie Nelson got the big break. I then traveled to California to chase the American Dream. I found myself in San Diego for a week and met some incredible musicians who try to connect with their audience the same way I do. Brady Ray Rohling was someone I met in The San Diego area who Has the same “healing spirit” that I do.
From San Diego, I then traveled to New Orleans for a week and started doing street performances on bourbon street. It was a very humbling experience being there when I saw the real soul of the city through music and being able to not only experience it but be involved was very special. After a week, I left New Orleans and headed for Florida which is still my favorite part of my trip. It’s where I finally broke away from my low mental state and began feeling like myself again.
I drove through the panhandle and went straight to Daytona Beach, to begin with, but ended up spending most of my time in Clearwater and Orlando. I met a musician in Clearwater who let me play a set during his show. After I played he raved about my voice and guitar sound and wanted me to start gigging for the agency he works for. Unfortunately being a Canadian, I couldn’t play the gigs because of worker visa complications so I moved on to Orlando.
Orlando was my favorite place in the entire country. I was treated with respect as a musician and also started to create some important friendships that will last forever. I frequented open mic’s and networked with many people for a month and then decided to go on my first cruise.
The cruise went to Turks and Caicos and the Dominican Republic. I had the ability to perform on the ship and have been in contact about a potential opportunity for a contract. While all of this is still in the works I decided to take a trip back home to Canada for 4 days and then fly to Cuba. The resort at Playa Paraiso gave me an opportunity to play for people also and then I was the talk of the resort.
I am now preparing to go back home to Ontario as things are opening back up and I have gigs being booked again but my heart lies in Orlando now after my journey. I cannot wait to come back and hopefully be able to stay for good and play paid gigs and open mic.
If I had any advice for anyone after my adventures in life it would be that life can be forgiving and the people you meet along the way mean much more than the places you see. I leave with one more message. Never give up on your dreams.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Having to deal with a rough breakup with the woman I wanted to marry was the toughest part. I almost gave up on music in early 2021 with lockdowns happening still and me losing what I thought was my future. I was very close to trying to find a different path in life.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am an acoustic artist that tries to have a Sugar Ray/Sublime type sound. My original songs are all about what I’ve been through in life in hopes that others can connect with me.
The song I am the proudest of is a song called Life Can Be Forgiving which can be found on Spotify. I feel like my passion for healing with my music instead of chasing the dollar is what sets me apart from most.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
I am hoping that my industry continues to thrive and preserve past the challenges ahead. For myself, I’d like to be playing in bigger venues and touring through North America.
Pricing:
- For my bar gigs, I generally charge 150-250$ depending on the length.
- For weddings, I charge 400-500$.
- For corporate events, I charge a minimum of 250$.
- I also teach music on the side. Online lessons are 20$ a half hour.
Contact Info:
- Email: Will.ipod@hotmail.com
- Instagram: http://instagram.com/will_surphlis_music
- Facebook: Www.Facebook.com/willsurphlismusic
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCs3NE51DQ9W0DRpuUojVtOA
- Other: Www.Facebook.com/willsurphlis
Hugh G Rection
March 9, 2022 at 3:08 am
Great little story brother. It so cool you had an amazing trip. See ya around The Dirty. ❤️
Teena Rose
March 9, 2022 at 1:48 pm
I have the pleasure of meeting Will on his journey to Cuba. From the time I ran into him he was in great spirits and playing away on his guitar while missing his g String (guitar term I found funny)and it made me walk his way. My spouse and I sat at a table near by listening to him play to a group of Russians where most of the resort was timid by them, but not Will he sat played music and interreacted in the best way possible with the language barrier it was really nice to see. After we got the pleasure of meeting him and getting to know the person behind the voice and it matched perfectly. If you ever get the opportunity to sit listen and talk to Will I would highly suggest it.