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PRESENTS
The Wilds is led by singer/songwriters Holly Arntzen—vocals, dulcimer, piano, and Kevin Wright—vocals, percussion. When Holly and Kevin sing and write songs together, think Joni Mitchell meets Bon Scott (of ACDC.) An unlikely combination, but one that bears rich sounds, energy and a unique musical perspective that is conveyed in eight albums produced since 2006.
They have been joined by many fantastic musicians in the past but most recently in the line up are Tim Porter (guitar) and Nathen Aswell (bass and Chapman stick)... and Tom Arntzen for their Joni Mitchell Project - ESLA.
The sound of the Wilds is ‘folk pop to rock your world”—Holly’s slide dulcimer mixed with Kevin’s hard-hitting cajon and congas, and lit up by rich vocal harmonies. They write r’evolution of consciousness songs about humanity, ecology and the Earth.
“They have a duty and the street cred to write and sing these messages after decades of walking the walk so few are willing to do, or just do not have the voice for. The Wilds have that voice.” --- Somebody else said this (haha!)
ALLEGIANCE TO GRATITUDE - Performed as part of our Joni Mitchell project, ESLA, Blue Frog Studios - April 19, 2025
“This song was inspired by several things. Watching Nathen Aswell perform his affirmation songs and seeing how people pay attention and participate. Reading the chapter titled ‘Allegiance to Gratitude’ in the book, ‘Braiding Sweetgrass’ by Robin Wall Kimmerer, and the invocation of the Onandaga prayer: ‘Now our minds are one.’
“It’s the same prayer that the Stó:lō First Nations offer, in our Good Medicine Song ‘Shxwelí/Life Spirit: Lets’emot, lets’ethale. One mind, one heart.' This thought offers me a light to navigate the despair I feel observing the terrible suffering being wrought upon the vulnerable peoples of this world, and the desecration and destruction of nature.
“We are all connected…to all life and all beings and all things of this Earth. I look for a way through the darkness by focusing on something that I can do in this moment. Joining my voice with others always helps me take the next step. Giving thanks for what I have now, helps.” (Holly Arntzen)
Blessing In Disguise - Recorded in July of 2020
"This is our musical offering for all of us struggling to find our way through the pandemic and hold onto a vision for the future. Our story, like most musicians, is that we lost all our work from March 12th onwards. At the time we said, “We have to look at this as a blessing in disguise.” This song emerged slowly over the next three months.
We started hearing news stories about the clearing skies due to the shutdown and lower pollution levels. It’s an unintended consequence that shows how effectively billions of people can respond to a threat and dramatically change their behavior almost overnight. The pandemic is causing terrible suffering, yet there are things we are learning that will help us meet even greater challenges of climate change, racism and social and economic justice—such as the ability to turn on a dime and work together for the common good."
The song features Wilds members Holly Arntzen (vocals, dulcimer, piano), Kevin Wright (vocals, cajon) Nathen Aswell (bass). Our family members joining us: Natalia Tisot-Wright (vocals) is Kevin’s daughter, Leif Arntzen is Holly’s trumpet-playing brother in New York; his son Miles Francis Arntzen added percussion. In Vancouver, brother Tom Arntzen played organ, and his son Arnt Arntzen tracked the banjo.
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