Willie Kuklis
"William Kuklis"

BIO

Born and raised in Vancouver, British Columbia (now residing in Victoria, BC), Canada William Kuklis began writing and composing music at the age of 19, and hasn’t stopped since. A self taught musician, Kuklis incorporates a variety of strings (Guitars, Mandolin, Banjo) and Harmonica while writing, and finding inspiration in such diverse artists such as Ani Difranco, U2, Paul Simon, Dave Matthews, Martin Sexton and David Byrne, he plays a unique style of music that he describes as “Neo-Folk… for lack of a better term”.

As a founding member of Cultured Cowboy, an eclectic folk band, Willie cut his teeth in the cafes and road-houses of Vancouver, toured most of British Columbia, and recorded two full-length albums (Cultured Cowboy and Cultured Cowboy: Live at Orphan Studios). Willie’s music can also be found on the soundtracks of two indie films, Café Surrey (written and directed by Trevor Cameron), and X Spots His Mark (written and directed by Matt Wakefield).

The impetus for his first solo album The Price We Pay (recorded in 2002) was to write a tribute to his best friend Annemiek Ochsendorf. Also a talented singer/songwriter, Ochsendorf tragically committed suicide in the year 2000. The Price We Pay consists of eleven original tracks, written and composed by Kuklis. The untitled track on the album was written by Ochsendorf and arranged and performed by William. Since the albums release, Willie has toured throughout BC and Alberta, playing sold-out shows alongside artists like Ana Bon Bon, The Be Good Tanya’s, David Ross MacDonald, The Clumsy Lovers, and John Bottomley.

Willie is currently writing his next album, working on the soundtrack of a full length documentary and is planning further tours of the United States and Canada.