imported>Deemanning: /* Career */

2024-09-19T23:53:57Z

Career

New page

{{Short description|Canadian blues rock guitarist and singer (born 1972)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2014}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Wolf Mail
| image = Wolf Mail playing a MG Hybrid guitar in Germany.jpg
| background = solo_singer
| caption = Mail playing The MG-Hybrid in 2017
| birth_name = Wolf Mail
| alias =
| birth_date = {{birth year and age|1972}}
| birth_place = [[Montreal]], [[Quebec]], Canada
| instrument = {{hlist|Guitar|vocals}}
| genre = {{hlist|Blues|rock|roots}}
| occupation = {{hlist|Musician|singer|songwriter}}
| years_active = {{Start date|1984}}–present
| label = [[ZYX Records|ZYX]], Productions LEA, BSMF Records
| website = {{URL|www.wolf-mail.com}}
}}

'''Wolf Mail''' (born 1972) is a Canadian-born guitarist, singer-songwriter who embarked on his [[Blues & Roots]] music journey at the age of fourteen.
Mail has recorded eight full-length albums, internationally distributed and has toured in over twenty-six countries. He is influenced by [[Blues music|blues]], [[jazz]], [[Soul music|soul]] and [[Country music|country]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Wolf Mail|url=http://wolf-mail.com/tour.cfm|accessdate=February 24, 2013}}</ref>

==Early years==
Born in [[Montreal]], [[Quebec]], 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 ten, heavily influenced by [[Elmore James]] and [[John Lee Hooker]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Wolf Mail Biography|url=http://www.wolf-mail.com/bio.cfm|accessdate=January 22, 2013}}</ref> Later, Mail received guitar lessons from fellow Canadian guitarist David Goodman.<ref>{{cite web|title=David Goodman Canadian guitarist|url=https://www.dave-goodman.info/|accessdate=August 22, 2013}}</ref> At age seventeen he put his own project together and left home shortly after to tour with his band.<ref>{{cite web|title=Mark Gilbert Guitars|url=http://www.markgilbertguitars.com/wolf-mail|accessdate=January 22, 2013}}</ref>

==Career==
Mail recorded two independent albums in the mid-'90s before signing up with ZYX records. Since then he has released eight 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 "favorite love song of all time".<ref>{{cite web|title=Belly up 4 blues|url=http://bellyup4blues.com/musicsubmit/wolf-mail|website=BellyUp4Blues.com|date=July 17, 2010|accessdate=January 22, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Perth Blues Club|url=http://www.perthbluesclub.com/index.php?option=com_gigcal&task=details&gigcal_bands_id=294&Itemid=|accessdate=January 22, 2013}}</ref>

Pre-production for his second album ''Blue Fix'' <ref name="auto3">{{cite web | url=https://www.discogs.com/release/12459113-Wolf-Mail-Blue-Fix- | title=Wolf Mail - Blue Fix | website=[[Discogs]] }}</ref> started in Los Angeles with [[Gary Mallaber]] on drums and [[Gerald Johnson (musician)|Gerald Johnson]] on bass. The recording was completed in France with Niko Sarran on drums.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.guitarheroes.com.au/ag_100_1113/html/interview1.html | title=Australian Guitar Magazine CD }}</ref>

Mail then recorded a live CD and DVD ''Live Blues in Red Square'' <ref name="auto4">{{cite web | url=https://zyx.de/en/produkt/wolf-mail-live-blues-in-red-square/ | title=WOLF MAIL Live Blues in Red Square }}</ref> in Moscow.

His fourth album ''Electric Love Soul'' <ref name="auto2">{{cite web | url=https://www.bsmf.jp/?pid=89119940 | title=Wolf Mail / Electric Love Soul - BSMF RECORDS }}</ref> was recorded in 2009 in Los Angeles at Dawghouse studios by Grammy Award winner Alan Mirikitani, and [[Robert Cray]] producer Dennis Walker.

His follow-up ''The Basement Session'' <ref name="auto1">{{cite web | url=https://music.apple.com/au/album/the-basement-session/487050987 | title=The Basement Session by Wolf Mail }}</ref> was recorded in Sydney, Australia, at the Basement by Chris Mysinski.

His sixth album, ''Above The Influence'' <ref name="auto">{{cite web | url=https://www.discogs.com/release/11879638-Wolf-Mail-Above-The-Influence | title=Wolf Mail - Above the Influence | website=[[Discogs]] }}</ref> 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."<ref name=Rhythms>{{cite web|last=Fell|first=Samuel J.|title=Wolf Mail – Above The Influence|url=https://rhythms.com.au/reviews/wolf-mail-above-the-influence/|work=Rhythms Music Magazine|accessdate=May 27, 2014|date=November 18, 2013}}</ref>

Mail wrote and recorded his seventh album "''The Wolf is at our door" in Sydney, Australia. The album was released in March 2023. "''A contemporary bluesy vibe, slow burn vocals, and moments of psych-like sound that bring to mind [[Muddy Waters|Muddy Water]]’s Electric Mud, wrote the ''Blues Rock review'' <ref>{{cite web | url=https://bluesrockreview.com/2023/04/wolf-mail-releases-the-wolf-is-at-our-door.html | title=The Blues Rock Review| website=[[Blues Rock]] }}</ref>

==Influences==

[[Elmore James]] is the artist that Wolf cites as his first inspiration.

Wolf's playing style is a fusion of traditional blues, soul, and rock influences. He draws inspiration from guitar legends such as [[Albert Collins]], [[Johnny Winter]] and [[Peter Green (musician)|Peter Green]] who have contributed to his playing style.

Wolf's playing ranges from stop-start staccato runs to Winter's more fluid style with lightning-fast runs. His intense, feverish style cuts a swathe between [[Buddy Guy]] and [[Rory Gallagher]].

==International==
[[File:Wolf Mail playing in concert in Australia.jpg|left|thumb|Mail performing at the Narooma Great Southern festival in Australia]]
For over two decades, Wolf has toured the [[US]], [[Japan]], [[Australia]], and [[Europe]], performing at clubs, festivals, small towns, and big cities. His passion for music has earned him a dedicated following, and he has developed a niche but loyal global audience.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://wolf-mail.com/tour | title= Wolf Mail| website=Wolf Mail }}</ref>

==Awards and recognition==

''Player Magazine Japan'' selected Mail as the "Close-up" artist of the month in June 2005.<ref>{{cite web|title=Player Magazine, Japan, magazine spread|url=http://www.wolf-mail.com/japanart1.cfm|accessdate=January 24, 2013}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|title=MusicOz Awards|url=http://www.musicoz.org/news/2012/5/20/109/2012_Winners__Top_10|accessdate=January 24, 2013}}</ref>

==Musical instruments and gear==
[[File:Wolf Mail playing in concert in Tokyo.gif|thumb|Mail performing in Tokyo, Japan "Above the Influence" Tour]]
Wolf uses a Mark Gilbert WM1 signature bearing his name along with the Mark Gilbert BC electro-acoustic guitars.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://themusic.com.au/reviews/mark-gilbert-wolf-mail-signature-guitar/wFnT0tXU19Y/27-06-14 | title=Mark Gilbert Wolf Mail Signature Guitar }}</ref>

For recording sessions Wolf also uses a 1957 [[Fender Musical Instruments Corporation|Fender Telecaster]] and a 1972 [[Gibson Les Paul]] Deluxe.

His guitar rig also includes several effects pedals such as an original 1978 Boss OD1 overdrive, a Boss CE-2 and a custom boost pedal.

For many years, Wolf was endorsed by Carvin Audio,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://carvinaudio.com/pages/archive-carvin-belair-2-x-12-50w-all-tube-combo-amp | title=Carvin audio Bel Air endorsee}}</ref> and was one of the first artists with [[Joe Walsh]] to use the Carvin Bel Air vintage series.

Although Wolf still owns several Bel Air amps, he now uses Mesa Boogie Lonestar amplifiers.

==Discography==
'''Wolf Mail'''
*2002 – ''Solid Ground''<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/solid-ground-mw0000316606 | title=Wolf Mail - Solid Ground Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic | website=[[AllMusic]] }}</ref>
*2005 – ''Blue Fix''<ref name="auto3"/>
*2009 – ''Live Blues in Red Square''<ref name="auto4"/>
*2010 – ''Electric Love Soul''<ref name="auto2"/>
*2011 – ''The Basement Session''<ref name="auto1"/>
*2013 – ''Above The Influence''<ref name="auto"/>
*2015 – ''Oseana Auditorium''<ref>{{cite web | url=https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/wolfmail/tFv | title=Oseana Auditorium by Wolf Mail - DistroKid }}</ref>
*2023 – ''The Wolf is at Our Door''<ref>{{cite web | url=https://music.apple.com/au/album/the-wolf-is-at-our-door/1674929050 | title=The Wolf is at Our Door by Wolf Mail }}</ref>

'''Collaborations'''
*2015 – ''Blues Christmas'' (with [[Leslie West]], [[Eric Gales]], [[Kenny Neal]], [[Pat Travers]], [[Joe Louis Walker]], [[Chris Spedding]]).<ref>{{cite web | url=https://cleorecs.com/store/shop/blues-christmas-cd-2/ | title=Blues Christmas (CD) – Cleopatra Records Store }}</ref>
*2018 – ''Live at the Lazy'' (with Milena Barrett)<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.qobuz.com/au-en/album/lazybones-wolf-mail-feat-milena-barrett/ml6dt7fxletvc | title=Album Lazybones, Wolf Mail | Qobuz: Download and streaming in high quality }}</ref>

==DVDs==
*''Live Blues in Red Square'' was released in 2009, and recorded at the Jazz Town Theater, in Moscow, Russia.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.discogs.com/release/12962038-Wolf-Mail-Live-Blues-In-Red-Square | title=Wolf Mail - Live Blues in Red Square | website=[[Discogs]] }}</ref>
*''Oseana Auditorium'' released in 2014 was recorded during Wolf's 2013 tour of Scandinavia, while supporting Blues legend Johnny Winter.

==Bibliography==

*Rock my world Canada<ref>{{cite web | url=https://spillmagazine.com/spill-book-review-mike-carr-rock-my-world-canada-presents-canadian-blues-reference-collectors-guide | title=Spill Book Review: Mike Carr - Rock My World Canada Presents: Canadian Blues Reference & Collector's Guide | date=September 22, 2020 }}</ref> by Mike Carr. A comprehensive and historic reference book on Canadian blues artists.

==Record labels==
*Japan/ Asia – BSMF Records
*Europe – ZYX Music
*North America – Cleopatra Records

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Wolf Mail}}
* {{official website|https://www.wolf-mail.com}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mail, Wolf}}
[[Category:1972 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Blues rock musicians]]
[[Category:Canadian blues guitarists]]
[[Category:Canadian blues singers]]
[[Category:Canadian male guitarists]]
[[Category:Musicians from Montreal]]
[[Category:Electric blues musicians]]
[[Category:21st-century Canadian guitarists]]
[[Category:21st-century Canadian male musicians]]

Wolf Mail - Revision history

imported>Deemanning: /* Career */