Rising singer-songwriter Willow Cook, professionally known as Willoh, grew up playing video games. Whenever she wanted to create an online player name, “Willow” was always taken, so she adopted “Willoh,” and the name stuck.
Willoh was born and raised in Springfield, Missouri. Growing up, she was surrounded by music, and her earliest memories are of learning to play guitar. While she did take lessons, she’s mostly self-taught.
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All that practice paid off when she began releasing a slew of singles starting in 2023, and her debut album, Love, Love, in 2024.
Earlier this year, Willoh released her second album, not more than that, but more please, an ethereal, ’90s-inspired independent record she made mostly on her own—writing, recording, producing, mixing, and mastering. She even created the promo videos and edited the album cover art; a photo shot by her best friend.
“Every little bit of it has my hands on it,” she says. “It was less about perfection and more about capturing something honest and raw. If I felt something very strongly and wanted to capture it in that moment, skipping parts of production worked for me. Other than that, I do everything myself in my bedroom.”
Should we know you?
I put my music out there to share it with the world and to connect with people. I think that sometimes, when you’re having a confusing moment in your life, having someone else put it into words and sounds helps you do the same. Even when you want to just sit in your emotions, finding that artist that can encapsulate that feeling and put you into the world of that emotion can be a beautiful thing. So yes, I think people should know me. I want to be someone to pull people into that world.
Tell us three things about yourself that are important.
I’ve always valued creating over the outcome. If I start something, only focusing on whether it’ll be a perfect song by the end, that’s what makes me never finish projects. Creating is the best part of making music; seeing where it goes, seeing how much it can change by the end. I believe in silence as much as sound. It allows things to sink in, and silence can sometimes tell you more than words. Music is something I take very personally. It’s been a way for me to process things. Doesn’t matter if I’m making it or listening to it; it’s the most honest I will ever be.
Tell us something that’s embarrassing.
When I was in elementary school, I had a best friend named Camree. On the way back inside from recess, she made me laugh so hard that I peed my pants right in front of the water fountain. I went into the bathroom and hung myself up to the hand dryer, trying to dry my pants. I smelled like pee for the rest of the day because I was too embarrassed to go to the nurse for new pants.
Who’s your biggest influence?
I grew up listening to so much music, all different. My dad played me rock music. I would sit in front of the speaker with my lips puckered, headbanging. He also played a lot of old-school retro games. I would always listen to the soundtracks because I loved the synths and the whole style of it. When I got my first MP3 player, I downloaded Mazzy Star’s album Among My Swan. I listened to that a lot, and it developed my love for ’90s alternative music.
Who’s your smallest influence?
Someone I think is very underrated, and I found just by chance online, is this guy named Derby. I reached out to get him on my most recent album, and he replied instantly, saying he was all for it. That’s one of my favorite songs I’ve ever made. He released a song called “Gold” and it opened my eyes through his production and the way he delivers his vocals. Another big inspiration to me is someone else I met by chance, Karoo. His album A Dream, A Concept, A Memory made me pull out my guitar and start practicing right after listening through.
Who’s the most exciting musician in 2025 (besides you)?
I’m most excited for Maximilian. He sent me his upcoming album and I got a few songs on there I’m very excited to have out. Honestly, it’s the most fun I’ve had with music in a while. His production is so clean and refreshing. It’s truly something special, and I’m very excited to see where it goes.
Name three Americans so odious that they should be set adrift in a dinghy in the Arctic Circle with enough food and water to last only 24 hours.
I won’t name names, but I will have to do Jade a favor (we watch a lot of movies and shows together) and say whoever invented putting ads in the middle of a movie. It completely ruins the movie. I mean it just sucks you right out of it. My favorite character just died, and you interrupt to show me shampoo?
Do you believe in magic?
When I was younger, I watched Penn and Teller Fool Us. After seeing that, I don’t believe in magic, and every time someone tries to show me a trick, I just sit there trying to figure out how they did it instead of enjoying the show. But if we’re talking about a magical spell, then maybe. Sometimes I’ll try to move something with my mind, and I’ll fully believe I can if I try hard enough, so who knows?
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