William Mylar
- Genre
- Singer-Songwriter
- Websites
- http://www.mylarville.com/mylarville/default.asp
- Check out my facebook page
- Find me on CD Baby
- Find me on itunes
- Awards and Nominations
- SAMMIES 2020 Nominee★ Reggae/Jam ★
- SAMMIES 2018 Nominee★ Singer/Songwriter ★
- Musicians
- William Mylar — guitar, vocals
- Share
Q & A
As a child growing up, music surrounds us. What type of music did you hear the most back then?
02.27.20
I was lucky enough to have parents who liked and shared all kinds of music, which continues for me.
Can you describe a moment in your career, where you felt like you truly reached somebody or made a difference?
02.27.20
When I was 14, I played young Patrick Dennis in the musical, Mame at the Sacramento Music Circus. After the show the actress who played Agnes Gooch brought a blind girl backstage to meet me. The little girl told me how much my performance and singing meant to her. She told me she cried a little when I sang the song, “My Best Girl”, with Giselle McKenzie (Mame). The scene was a poignant one, as young Patrick is about to become adult Patrick in the second act. The meeting with the young blind girl, who was about my own age, made me realize for the first time how powerful music can be. Ever since, I have treated every song I sing in the same way, because every song ever written is a creation with some purpose. That purpose should always be the goal of every singer.
Describe your show visually and musically.
02.27.20
A typical Mylar show will have at least two or more fine musicians who can play anything I throw out
there. No two shows are ever the same and I keep bringing new material to add to the 1,000+ songs I
know. Visually, I have a face like a foot, which make the other musicians look good.
Do you have regular gigs around town?
02.27.20
Yes, I do. At least two or three per week.
How do you describe your music to people?
02.27.20
A little of this. A little of that. Some stuff to think about. Some stuff to not think about.
How do you feel about musical award competitions?
02.27.20
I don’t care for them. Music lends itself more to collaboration. Probably good for artists starting out to help build their careers.
Tell us about how you first started gigging.
02.27.20
I was a professional actor and stage technician. I became disillusioned with that business and started performing professionally as a solo musician. I created my own genre, “Folk Wave,” and started performing every place where they would let me.
Tell us about this creative project. What is it?
02.27.20
Mylar’s Hippie Hour™ is unrehearsed, free-form live music, spanning all genres. It was born out of the Artober projects many years ago that encouraged musicians to come together at live performances and improvise all styles of music. Each Hippie Hour is unique and no two shows have ever been the same. Just about every pro musician with good ears in the Sacramento area, and many musicians visiting Sacramento, have played a Mylar’s Hippie Hour™ at one time or another. The catalog of music keeps growing and evolving. The music can be covers or songs composed by lesser-known songwriters. I put together a loose set list of songs the day of each performance or when I have an idea who may be performing for a particular show. More often than not, we will deviate from the list due to audience
requests, holiday themes or depending upon drop-in musicians who show up to play. Anything can
happen at Mylar’s Hippie Hour™ and it is always high quality and entertaining music. Also, I try to
make sure the musicians get paid. Maybe not so much at most of the venues around here, but they
always get something for their work.
What are your musical goals?
02.27.20
To keep playing, singing and learning music for as long as I can.
What message do you hope to give with your music?
02.27.20
No message. If you dig it, you dig it. If not, at least pass it on.
What was the first song you learned to play?
02.27.20
Beethoven’s “Fur Elise."
What's the best part of this experience?
02.27.20
Cultivating musical conversations with other musicians and discovering new musical ideas.
What's the story behind your stage name?
02.27.20
It’s a long story, but briefly, the media could never consistently spell or pronounce my last given name.
People still have some trouble with the stage name. In Europe, they often call me, “Meelar.”
Where do you see yourself in ten years?
02.27.20
Hopefully alive at 75 and still playing.
Who first inspired you to play music?
02.27.20
No one, really. Except, I started playing the piano at 7 when my parents brought one into the house.
Words to live by?
02.27.20
Be kind.
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