Wolf Mail

Wolf Mail (born 1972) is a Canadian blues rock guitarist and singer. Mail has recorded 6 full-length albums, internationally distributed and has toured in over 26 countries. He is influenced by blues, jazz, soul and country.[1]

Wolf Mail
Wolf Mail performing at the Suwalki Festival in Poland in 2016
Background information
Birth nameWolf Mail
Born1972 (age 48–49)
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
OriginMontreal, Quebec, Canada
GenresBlues-rock, soul rock, jam band
Occupation(s)musician, singer-songwriter, record producer, writer, columnist
InstrumentsGuitar, vocals
Years active1999 (1999)–present
LabelsZYX, LEA, BSMF
Websitewww.wolf-mail.com

Early years

Born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, and raised in the South of France and California, Mail spent much of his early years traveling. He began playing the guitar at the age of 10, heavily influenced by Elmore James and John Lee Hooker.[2] Later, Mail received some guitar lessons from David Goodman, and went on to perform his first gig at 14. He left home at 17 to tour with his own band.[3]

Career

Mail recorded two independent albums in the mid-'90s before signing up with ZYX records. Since then he has released nine albums.

His first effort, Solid Ground, included the ballad "Hello" which stayed in the best selling music charts in Japan for three weeks and had fans declare their "favourite love song of all time".[4][5]

Blue Fix followed up which was recorded with the help of the Steve Miller Band.

Mail then recorded a live CD and DVD Live Blues in Red Square in Moscow, Russia.

His fourth album Electric Love Soul was recorded in 2009 in LA at Doghouse studios by Grammy Award winner BB "Chung" King, and Robert Cray producer Dennis Walker.

His follow-up The Basement Session was recorded in Sydney, Australia, at the Basement, which has hosted artist such as Prince and Albert Collins.

His sixth album, Above The Influence, was released in October 2013. Rhythms Music Magazine said it "sees Mail return to where he cut his teeth, our teeth, everyone's teeth – again, searing electric blues."[6]

International
Mail playing in Australia

Mail has played several world tours during his career, with Russian and European tours in 2009 and 2010, and Asian and Australian tours in 2010 to 2012.[7] Mail has a global presence and has played to sell-out tours around the world.[8]

Awards and recognition

Player Magazine Japan selected Mail as the "Close-up" artist of the month in June 2005.[9] Other artists have included Robert Cray and Brian Setzer. MusicOz Australia gave Wolf Mail best top 10 international performer of the year award for 2012.[10]

Musical instruments and gear

Wolf uses Mark Gilbert WM1 signature bearing his name and Mark Gilbert BC electro-acoustic guitars and Fender 1957 vintage Telecaster and Greg Bennett Blackbird semi-acoustic guitars. Wolf is endorsed by Carvin amplifier, and was one of the first artists with Joe Walsh to use the Carvin Bel Air vintage series. Wolf has been using the Bel Air since 1993.

Wolf Mail Custom Instruments
  • Mail playing the Wolf Mail Signature guitar by Mark Gilbert
  • Mail playing the custom Mark Gilbert BC

Discography
  • 2002 – Solid Ground
  • 2004 – Live!Live!Live! (unofficial release).
  • 2005 – Blue Fix
  • 2009 – Live Blues in Red Square
  • 2010 – Electric Love Soul
  • 2011 – The Basement Session
  • 2012 – Soho Strays
  • 2013 – Above The Influence
  • 2015 – Oseana Auditorium

DVDs
  • Live Blues in Red Square was released in 2009, and recorded at the Jazz Town Theater, in Moscow, Russia.
  • Oseana Auditorium released in 2014 was recorded during Wolf's 2013 tour of Scandinavia, while supporting Blues legend Johnny Winter.

Record labels
  • Japan/ Asia – BSMF Records
  • Europe – ZYX Records
  • North America – Tower Records
  • Australia – Across the Bend Entertainment

References
  1. "Wolf Mail". Retrieved February 24, 2013.
  2. "Wolf Mail Biography". Retrieved January 22, 2013.
  3. "Mark Gilberg Guitars". Retrieved January 22, 2013.
  4. "Belly up 4 blues". BellyUp4Blues.com. July 17, 2010. Retrieved January 22, 2013.
  5. "Perth Blues Club". Retrieved January 22, 2013.
  6. Fell, Samuel J. (November 18, 2013). "Wolf Mail – Above The Influence". Rhythms Music Magazine. Retrieved May 27, 2014.
  7. "Wolf Mail Tour details". Retrieved February 24, 2013.
  8. "Sell out Wolf Mail tours". Retrieved February 24, 2013.
  9. "Player Magazine, Japan, magazine spread". Retrieved January 24, 2013.
  10. "MusicOz Awards". Retrieved January 24, 2013.
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