Wilmo

William Gilbert, or better known by his stage name “Wilmo”, creates introspective music for a blend of audiences, writing complex songs which seek to appeal to the listener’s own journey of self-discovery. The 24-year-old singer, songwriter, and producer has made his mark in the pop-punk universe for showcasing everyday life experiences through mesmerizing, rock-heavy instrumentals and boldly crafted lyrics. Wilmo has been working relentlessly to take on a new personal rebrand for himself by releasing some of his most aspirational and transformative music thus far, screaming with a one-of-a-kind genuinity that celebrates his innermost thoughts. For example, songs like “Homebound” paint a vivid picture of his own personal growth, its evocative imagery resonating a classic authenticity that listeners crave. 

2024 forecasts to be the most promising year yet for Wilmo, with over 20 polished demos set to be released and a plan to synchronize more shows, features, music videos, and social media content than ever before. 

For Wilmo, making music is about transcending beyond your identity and embracing your own uniqueness. Songwriting allows him to better understand (and make light of) his life experiences while inspiring others to do the same. Through every track, lyric, beat, and strum of his guitar, Wilmo is discovering more about himself everyday through music and aims to curate an audience that celebrates authenticity. 

Booking: jonathangleason20@gmail.com

William Gilbert, or better known by his stage name “Wilmo”, creates introspective music for a blend of audiences, writing complex songs which seek to appeal to the listener’s own journey of self-discovery. The 24-year-old singer, songwriter, and producer has made his mark in the pop-punk universe for showcasing everyday life experiences through mesmerizing, rock-heavy instrumentals and boldly crafted lyrics. Wilmo has been working relentlessly to take on a new personal rebrand for himself by releasing some of his most aspirational and transformative music thus far, screaming with a one-of-a-kind genuinity that celebrates his innermost thoughts. For example, songs like “Homebound” paint a vivid picture of his own personal growth, its evocative imagery resonating a classic authenticity that listeners crave. 

“With my music,” says Wilmo, “I aim to be the voice for the shy, quiet kids, the people who can’t find their group in society. I grew up never really properly fitting in with one social circle, and I strived to somehow fit in with the crowd. Eventually, I learned to just embrace being an outsider who just learns how to find themselves independently. I want listeners to be instantly transported to a new place, envisioning an escape from whatever reality or lifestyle they’re currently in the state of.”

Born and raised in the Chicago suburbs by a Filipino mother and Irish father, Wilmo’s childhood was filled with a love for music that transcends beyond just any singular genre. Whether it be songs from other artists or his own mixes, music is his forever companion. As a shy, quiet child, he gained an independence that incited his strong work ethic, carrying over into his music career. But when he started navigating college in 2018, it instilled a sense of longing, unfulfillment, and unanswered questions. Music provided answers for those questions. He had an early love of rock music, which later gave way for alt-rock icons such as U2 and Green Day. Eventually, when he first started making music himself in 2017, he discovered a part of his identity that could finally be noticed by others. 

After dabbling in college life and working a sales job that broke him out of his shell, Wilmo and his manager, Jonathan Gleason (Pa$ty), decided to primarily focus on music full-time in 2021. Wilmo taught himself guitar, and began posting his music to streaming platforms and on social media, the duo figuring out the ropes as they went along. 

Over the years, Wilmo’s social media content grew into a central hub for celebrating his music, with music video clips giving way to behind-the-scenes footage of his friends gathered in the studio or the backstage. Wilmo earned support with his first eclectic single “Brown Eyes”, followed by tracks such as “Lean On” and “Left My Life” that showcased tales of love, loss, and self-reflection through a slew of authentic, rhythmical wit. 

Wordplay is at the core of Wilmo’s artistic expression. Each line is a carefully crafted piece that takes weeks, sometimes months, to fully develop. Chief Keef, Lil Uzi Vert, and Machine Gun Kelly rave across Wilmo’s moodboards, leaving their mark on his discography all along the way. His creative process consists of often writing lyrics while doing everyday activities like driving or showering, then testing them on a wide variety of beats. The songs stem from his own personal experiences, people in his life, or sometimes hypothetical characters treading through made-up situations. Every song is a testament to his resilience and determination to tell meaningful stories.

Additionally, newer songs such as “Standing There” and “Miss Can Never Be Alone” see Wilmo through a compelling, euphoric stream of vulnerability mixed with melodic pop-rock elements, with lyricism drawn by such singer-songwriters as Ed Sheeran and Paramore. Most recently, his euphoric single “Standing There” has been his biggest hit, reaching 12,000 streams on Spotify. 

Wilmo’s major turning point was in 2022 when he took the stage for the first time at Corral’s Sports Bar. His performance unlocked a new era deep within him, the stage being a setting he anticipated for his whole career. Performing his own music was a new dimension to his art. Around this time, he also took his craft to a new level by working with none other than LSD Studios (The Kid Laroi, Polo G, and Lil Tjay). There, he met more like-minded artists to continue taking his career higher, eventually performing at Chicagoland venues such as La Calle, Beat Kitchen, The Whim, and Fargo. 

“Truly, I was scared shitless for my first ever performance,” says Wilmo, “An old roommate of mine hooked me up with it and I was grateful, but was so terrified. I was praying it would somehow get canceled. To practice, I recorded myself in the bathroom every chance I got to try and get better just in time. The day before the show, I took my guitar to a park and just strummed for passersby, which is something I never thought I’d do. It empowered me to feel confident going into the show. It allowed my body to flow through the performance and feel the high that comes with it.”

2024 forecasts to be the most promising year yet for Wilmo, with over 20 polished demos set to be released and a plan to synchronize more shows, features, music videos, and social media content than ever before. 

For Wilmo, making music is about transcending beyond your identity and embracing your own uniqueness. Songwriting allows him to better understand (and make light of) his life experiences while inspiring others to do the same. Through every track, lyric, beat, and strum of his guitar, Wilmo is discovering more about himself everyday through music and aims to curate an audience that celebrates authenticity.