We recently had the chance to connect with Aaron Willman and have shared our conversation below.
Aaron, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. Are you walking a path—or wandering?
[Laughs] Y’all are getting straight to it, huh? That’s a bit existential… I would say I’m enjoying a nice leisurely wandering along a path of my own making. I’m quite aware of the paths others have strolled along and I’m just sidestepping them, hands in pocket, pondering a million different things… Always thinking about a song I’m working on.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Sure! There’s nothing more in this world I love more than talking about myself! Joking of course… Or so I hope you think.
I’m a 37 year old, life long musician who’s been in the industry, as people like to call it, for over 20 years. I got my start as being a roadie for my cousin’s band, Endochine when I was about 14. That was a very different time and even more of a different kind of Austin back then! I was very obviously, to everyone, the underage Padawan errand boy, hanging out in establishments that are now but fading memories for those who have spent their lives here… Lucy’s Retired Surfer Bar, Steamboat, La Zona Rosa, Antones when it was still on 5th street next to Lucky Lounge! The good ol’ days!
That’s when I really fell in love with the live music scene, but I had already developed a unrelenting passion for music years and years before then. I grew up in a house where music was always being played… Some of my first memories are being a child listening to The Beatles with my mom.
After my days of being an unpaid roadie were over, I started my own band when I was 18 and I’ve been playing ever since. I’ve always written the songs for my bands and played rhythm guitar and the keyboard…. But the drums were my first love at the tender age of 8. I can’t even begin to thank my mom enough for not only encouraging that love but enduring years of a child hammering away at a drum set like he was the love child of Buddy Rich and John Bonham [laughs]!
Now I’m a solo artist, going by the “band” name Queen Henry. I not only handle the recording of my own music, but play all the instruments myself as well.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
My junior year English teacher in High School, Mrs. Hengst, definitely made a big impact on me that continues to this very day. She recognized my writing ability and went out of her way to help me foster it. She also helped me understand just how much literature means to me. I don’t think I’d be half the genius I am without her.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
I don’t like to admit it, but there was a point where I was feeling quite defeated. Being a working musician can take a heavy toll on one’s heart and soul… A few years ago, during the pandemic, I was going through a fairly painful breakup as well as deciding that I was tired of holding my bands together… Being the sole songwriter and decision maker. I was definitely at a proverbial crossroads… not to be mistaken with the wandering path I spoke of earlier [laughs]. I had already been playing solo acoustic shows for a while but I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do next, musically…
And for the first time in my life, I thought about putting down the guitar and becoming a used car salesman… You think I’m joking? So rude! [Laughs] Well, yeah… getting a normal job wasn’t exactly on my mind, but I did have a sort of crisis of meaning.
But one night, I was talking to a very dear friend of mine, Emily, and she said something so meaningful and heartfelt that my whole entire mind, body and soul vibrated with unbridled emotion. In other words, moved me to tears.
She told me that she’s betting on me and that I’m more talented than I think I am, that she believes in me…. And she even asked me if I could send her handwritten, signed lyrics of her two favorite songs of mine… Even thinking about that chokes me up a bit because it came out of nowhere, right when I needed to hear those exact words from someone like her… It was almost like some sort of spiritual awakening because any inkling of doubt, completely vanished. I was overwhelmed and determined more than ever to push on… If for anything else, so Emily can take all the credit for my success. She saved me and I’ll never forget those words, that moment and what it meant to me. Thanks Em! Love ya!
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Is the public version of you the real you?
Are you serious? I’m a musician, of course not! Ugh, more jokes… I sometimes need to remind myself that I’m not a comedian damnit, but others do a pretty good job of that for me. I don’t change myself for no body. Not on or off the stage. Not for figures of authority or anyone I may be dating. I am who I am and people love me unconditionally for it… As I’m sure you’re starting to as well! [Laughs]. I understand why some people in the entertainment industry put on airs for sake of a public persona. and I’ve not not only known some personally, but worked with them as well. I always found it a bit insincere. I can’t speak for everyone’s motives, but I can speak from what I experienced personally, it was to sell the audience something different altogether. I do my best not to judge others for what I don’t understand…. or hell, I try not to judge even when I do understand and disagree with whatever the case may be. But I for one like who I am, inside and out. I bear my soul on my sleeves like I’m the ghost of your wildest dreams! I proudly swim upstream against the tides of expectation and do so with ease… even if it’s going to make my life harder, because I’m just a little heavy metal like that. I come from a family of emotionally prideful and strong individuals. We take shit from no one but we love those who we love like it’s our sole purpose in life. And that’s who I am whether I’m at home, in the studio or on stage.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
Wait…damn… are you trying to hint at what’s to come? That’s a fairly heavy question, man… Hold up…. Let’s see…. A decade of decadence is what it would be, that’s for sure! I would probably stop giving a shit about any and everything. I wouldn’t stop making music, that’s for sure… If anything, I’d stop the entire world and focus on being as creative as possible for an entire decade awaiting my fate… Since you asked such a ominous question and you’re holding a crystal ball, wanna fill me in on how I go out in a blaze of glory?
Contact Info:
- Website: https://open.spotify.com/track/6pMqo6vhb921uydYNLA9Wi?si=04a9a4dc8628446b
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/queenhenryviii/
