This is Everything (featuring Paul Gilbert)

The Zoo Crew, those groovy hippie DJs spinning vinyl at THE ZOO radio station, are cranking up the vibes with "This Is Everything (featuring Paul Gilbert)" by Willie Wisely from his album Parador. This track is a gem, blending sharp songcraft with a raw, heartfelt edge. One juicy bit of trivia comes from the song’s creation: it was co-written with Tracy McMillan and features the legendary guitarist Paul Gilbert, whose searing riffs elevate the track’s power-pop punch. The song’s recording took place in a cramped 9x9-foot closet in Hollywood, a sweaty, un-air-conditioned space where Wisely and producer Linus of Hollywood laid down early tracks before moving to bigger studios. Wisely once shared in a Bandcamp post that the claustrophobic setup gave the sessions a gritty, urgent feel, which you can hear in the song’s driving energy.

Another cool story about "This Is Everything" ties to its live performances. During a 2005 tour in Japan, Wisely and his band, including drummer Petur Smith, played a backstage rendition with Shigeru Kishida and Mike Ruekberg, captured in a raw, intimate video. Wisely mentioned on his Facebook page that the Japanese crowds were wild for the song, especially because the enhanced CD release of Parador in Japan included exclusive videos and a bonus track. Fans on Powerpopholic have raved about the track’s catchy hooks, with one commenter calling it “a perfect blend of McCartney-esque melody and indie grit.” The song’s lyrics, like “Waiting for my entrance / Blowing past the street signs,” reflect Wisely’s knack for weaving personal longing into vivid imagery, a theme that resonates with his Zoo Freaks audience.

Willie Wisely got his start in the vibrant Minneapolis music scene of the 1980s. Born in Minnesota, he was initially a Beatles obsessive, unimpressed by the era’s mainstream sounds. After dropping out of Beloit College, he landed a job at the Wax Museum record store in Minneapolis’ Dinkytown, where he dove headfirst into jazz, expanding his musical horizons. By 1986, Wisely was fronting the Willie Wisely Trio, a group that mixed power-pop with vaudevillian flair. Their chaotic, circus-like shows, often featuring gonzo trombonist Greg Wold, earned them a cover story in The City Pages by 1990. Wisely’s early cassettes, crafted with a DIY spirit, charmed local critics and built a cult following. His love for obscure influences like Jackie Lomax and João Gilberto shaped his unique sound, blending profound pop with theatrical showmanship.

Wisely’s career took him to Los Angeles, where he became a Laurel Canyon devotee, channeling the spirit of McCartney and Donovan. Despite setbacks, like a 2009 vocal cord hemangioma that nearly derailed his singing, he bounced back with surgery and a renewed passion. His work extends beyond recording, with stints composing for films like James Gunn’s Tromeo and Juliet and managing artist estates at Concord. You can keep up with Wisely on his official website, Facebook, Instagram, and X. Fans gather at sites like Willie Wisely’s Bandcamp and discuss his work on Powerpopholic, a hub for power-pop enthusiasts. There’s also a Facebook group where Zoo Freaks and other devotees share their love for his music.