WILBR

Will Brooks has found deep healing through music, which is what initially motivated him to pursue a career as an artist/entertainer after a college degree and years of mental health struggles. Will's love of music and desire to keep growing--personally and musically--inspire him to keep going.

WILBR’s music moves between intimate folk sounds and lively “jamgrass” rhythms, a result of blending softer influences with those of guitar heroes like Jerry Garcia and Billy Strings. In life and on stage, Will practices "radical vulnerability," which often manifests in the form of daring musical improvisation over looped arrangements and honest confessions to the audience.

Part of WILBR's mission consists of "alchemical artivism," which he describes as the transmutation of emotional lead into gold, at the intersection of art and activism. Will has found healing through music as a listener and a creator, and his musical journey has been a supportive force in embracing growth and self-discovery. A musical journey was not always the clear choice for him, though.

With only a few years of childhood experience, Will picked up the guitar again during the pandemic, and playing music became an escape from reality and himself. For years, Will wrestled with symptoms of personality disorders and substance use disorder. Learning to practice mindfulness and “radical self-acceptance” helped him develop as a human and a musician. Along the way, writing songs became a way for Will to process life and find balance, reinforcing particular beliefs and perspectives while challenging old ways of thinking and being.

As part of his purpose-driven mission, Will launched his touring career with a 13-week DIY tour through the Eastern US, returning home to Norfolk, VA with new skills and a new sense of perspective. Between tours Will continues to write and record new music while working as a musician and private guitar instructor throughout the Hampton Roads area.

Earlier this year, "Face Your Dread" from WILBR's debut EP “The Tiny Mic (Live)” was featured on Veer Magazine's Top 10 This Week playlist. More recently, WILBR's single “Little Yellow Hearts” was reviewed by indie music blog 9 Lounges (full article here).

WILBR is currently seeking financial support to fund studio recordings. Prospective patrons are invited to contribute at www.wilbrmusic.com/support. To learn more, please reach out via the contact page.