Ray Wilko is one of Switzerlands most reputated songwriters in rockmusic. After releasing four albums, he's got kind of a reputation as "the Elvis Costello of Switzerland" which surely is not only influenced by the kind of glasses he's wearing, but mainly by the sophisticated songwriting skills, mixed with a certain kind of edgy "punkyness" in his life performances.
Rays career started in 1996 with the thrilling debut SUBZERO, that he recorded all alone, respectively he played all the instruments. It already contained a radio hit, that quickly let the media be aware of the things that Ray Wilko would be coming up with.
In 1999 it was YOUR OWN PRIVATE that contained the single WHEREVER I GO. This song won a highly regarded prize as "second best song 1999", voted by the major media companies in Switzerland.
After constantly been on tour with his band, Ray Wilko released DAKTARI in 02, which scored another hit (NEW DIMENSION) on Switzerlands radio stations.
After a very successful DAKTARI-Tour, Ray went back to the studio to record his fourth CD PINBALL (2004) that, again, scored a hit: JUST CAN'T COPE made it to the Top 50 airplay charts in early summer 04.
From 05 until now, Ray Wilko and his Band were playing some shows, introducing new drummer Pit Lee and started working on new material. In December 06 they played sold-out shows, to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Ray Wilko.
End of 2007 the new and fifth album is going to be finished and it's set to be released on February 9, 2008. It's called YOU AND ME. The first single ASK FOR MORE is out now.
Photos by Monique Witsel, Carmelo Agovino, Annette Boutellier, Röfe Bernout
