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The Roots of Virginia Rock Band Sons of Bill

To see more from Sons of Bill, check out @sonsofbill on Instagram. For more music stories, head to @music.

If you’re looking to start a band with your siblings — and would prefer to avoid the volatile route of a group like Oasis — then check out Sons of Bill (@sonsofbill) for inspiration. Launched in 2005 by brothers Sam, Abe and James Wilson — along with their friends Seth Green and Todd Wellons — the Charlottesville, Virginia-based crew has spent the last decade churning out a consistent dose of guitar-heavy, roots-based rock.

“We didn’t really listen to records that much growing up,” says Sam, about the family’s upbringing. “My dad was a guitar player. He would just sing all Townes Van Zandt or Woody Guthrie. We would just learn songs that way.”

Though the three Wilson kids got their start on the same instrument (piano), they eventually forged their own paths. Sam, the oldest, became a studio musician in New York City; Abe, the middle child, went to architecture school; and James, the youngest, was playing bluegrass. But they soon ended up back in Virginia, writing songs and performing them together. And when it came time to name the band? Well, the Wilson brothers once again returned to the family well, using their father’s name, Bill, as the anchor.

“We were at open mic night at this Mexican restaurant, and one of our buddies said, ‘What’s your name?’” says Sam. “One of our friends said, ‘Why don’t you be Sons of Bill?’ We never looked back, really.”

The group has spent the last year of their professional lives on the road, touring America and overseas and continue to influence each other in different ways, particularly as they head into another songwriting session this winter.

“You’re thinking about what songs make sense together, what sort of album do you want to make,” says Sam. “That’s sort of fun, but really almost intimidating when you’re just trying to get all the songs together and see what songs get along with each other. They’re like siblings.”

—Instagram @music

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