Willa performing at upcoming CBC Toque Session
Musical collaboration with Mother Mother frontman Ryan Guldemond led her to explore new sounds
Vancouver musician Ali Milner, who now performs under the name Willa, will be playing unreleased songs at an CBC Toque Session on March 7.
The CBC Toque Session will also feature Yukon Blonde and Little India. The event is sold out, but there may be rush tickets available.
Milner grew up in Whistler, B.C., where she released her first album when she was 14.
She used to mostly play jazz, but a collaboration with Mother Mother frontman Ryan Guldemond encouraged her to experiment with a new sound.
"I've always been such a fan of pop and electronic music," said Milner. "I realized, 'Why don't I just make it?'"
Milner describes Guldemond as a "creative freight train."
"He's always inspiring and interesting," she said. "It's always unexpected and there's always something fun that comes of it.
Willa is Milner's middle name. She decided to make the change to differentiate herself from her previous music.
"It just felt right to start from the ground up and introduce this sound and this music to everyone afresh," said Milner.
Milner has yet to release an album as Willa, although she has released a single, Stay the Night.
Having recently played the U.S. West Coast, she said she's looking forward to putting the final touches on her upcoming album.
After the CBC Toque Session, her next performance will be at Squamish Valley Music Festival in August.