Inside CHILIØ: The Canadian Rock Band Behind the Music | Exclusive Interview

Hailey Bell
Aug 1
16 min read

Name: CHILIØ

Category: Band / Artist

💬 INTRODUCTION

We’re CHILIØ, a pop-punk band from Calgary. We started in 2016 with no real master plan beyond writing songs, playing shows and seeing how far we could take it. Since then, we’ve toured across Canada, released a bunch of music, made a lot of weird videos and slowly built our own little world around the band.

We call our sound pop punkadelic. It’s still pop punk at the core, but we like mixing in different sounds, visuals and ideas instead of keeping everything inside one box.

🔥 THE PASSION

We all grew up loving music and wanting to be in bands. There wasn’t one huge movie moment where everything suddenly made sense. We just kept doing it, got better over time and started taking it more seriously. The thing that keeps us going is seeing people actually connect with the songs. A lot of our music comes from grief, anxiety, relationships, getting older and feeling a little out of place. Then we try to turn all of that into something people can sing along to and have fun with.

🇨🇦 COMMUNITY & CANADIAN PRIDE

Being a Canadian band means driving very far to get almost anywhere. Touring here can be tough, but the music community is what makes it worth doing. We’ve met so many bands, promoters, photographers and fans across the country who genuinely want to help each other. We’re proud to be from Alberta too. There’s a strong DIY attitude here. Nobody is really waiting around for permission. You make the thing, book the show, load the van and figure it out as you go.

🚀 BUILDING THE DREAM

Playing the main stage at Rockin’ Thunder was a huge one for us. We were on a festival with bands we grew up listening to, playing one of the biggest stages we’ve ever been on, and it felt like years of work finally meeting the moment. Reaching 100,000 subscribers on YouTube was another big milestone. We’ve also had sold-out shows in different cities across Canada, which still feels pretty wild for a band that started in a Calgary jam space.

🤝 NETWORKING SPOT

We’d love to work with Deryck Whibley from Sum 41. Sum 41 was one of the bands we grew up idolizing, and they were a huge reason we wanted to play this kind of music in the first place. Whether it was Deryck producing one of our songs or jumping on for a vocal feature, it would be a dream come true and a really full-circle moment for us.

📣 ANYTHING ELSE?

We want CHILIØ to feel like a band people can actually be part of. Not just songs to listen to, but shows, jokes, visuals, stories and a community around all of it. We take the music seriously. Ourselves, not at all.

🎤 COMETS QUESTIONS - MEET THE BAND

Blaine Stillman | Drummer

COMET: Your drumming has reached people all over the world through social media. Has there ever been a message from a fan that completely stopped you in your tracks and reminded you why you create?

BLAINE STILLMAN: The reason I’ve kept going for so long is because the content I created has inspired so many people to pick up the sticks. Message after message of people saying, “Hey, I want to do that!” or “I want to be just like you,” is completely surreal. When I started making videos, it was really for me. Content pushed me to learn audio mixing, videography, post-production—all of that. Over time, though, it shifted into creating for my audience because of the inspiration it was having on other people. We have people come to our shows who tell me that my content or drumming in CHILIØ inspired them to start their own journey, that’s always an amazing moment. Even when things get hard or I’m feeling unmotivated, it’s our audience that keeps me going. I’m so incredibly lucky to be in a position where I can share my love for drumming and have people connect with it.

COMET: Fans see what happens under the lights, but they don’t always see what happens beforehand. Is there a behind-the-scenes habit, tradition, or mindset that helps get you performance-ready?

BLAINE STILLMAN: For me, it’s all about getting loose and shaking off the nerves. That means warming up with some rudiments on the pad, revisiting any sections in the set I might feel shaky on, and just hanging out with the guys. Knowing I’m about to hit the stage with my best friends—the people I trust and rely on every night—really puts me in the zone.

More than anything, I remind myself to have fun and not overthink every little detail.

Right before we go on, it’s important that we huddle up and get into the same headspace. I’m usually tucked away behind the kit on my own little island, so it’s good to make sure everyone’s on the same page, energized, and ready to put on the best show we possibly can. Then it’s time to give it everything we’ve got and let the emotions take over.

COMET: What’s one word your fans would use to describe you, one word your bandmates would choose, and one word you’d choose for yourself? Why?

BLAINE STILLMAN: I think my fans would probably describe me as energetic or a showman, because I like to hit the drums hard and give everything I’ve got. My bandmates would probably say I’m driven, because I’m always expecting more. Whether it’s our performances or finding ways to improve our show, I’m always pushing for that next level. The word I’d choose for myself is improvement. I’m always looking for ways to get better—whether that’s my drumming, our live show, my mixes, or anything else I’m working on. I always want to be a student of my craft.

COMET: Looking back, how did your first brand partnership come together? Was it something you chased, or something that found you because of the work you were already putting in?

BLAINE STILLMAN: It was definitely something that found me after a year or two of creating content. My first partnership was with Varus Drums, based in Spain and played by drummers like El Estepario Siberiano and Tobines at the time. I was just making metal drum covers, and a couple of them took off. They reached out and asked if I’d rep their shells in my videos, and of course I said yes. It was such a surreal moment because it was the first time it felt like it wasn’t just me believing in myself—other companies believed in me too. That eventually snowballed into working with Sabian and then Yamaha. I’m incredibly grateful for all of the support, and honestly, it still feels crazy every time I sit behind the kit.

COMET: We often talk about the people you’ve inspired, but who inspires Blaine Stillman? What have you learned from them that has shaped your own path?

BLAINE STILLMAN: Honestly, I’m just inspired by people. I have my drum heroes like every other drummer—The Rev, Joey Jordison, Tommy Lee—but what really inspires me is hearing people’s stories. Learning how someone has worked through struggles or hearing how they got to where they are is incredibly motivating to me, even if it’s completely outside my own interests.

Working at Drumeo, we get to meet so many musicians with completely different backgrounds and experiences. When you talk to them about their journey, they’re almost always humble and still learning. Even they don’t know what’s coming next. The musicians you think have everything figured out usually don’t—they’re often in the exact same position as you and me, just taking the next step. That was a really eye-opening realization for me. At the end of the day, take life one step at a time, say yes to every opportunity you can, and always be a student of your craft. Listen, stay open to change, and stay humble.

Chris Wirth | Lead Vocalist

COMET: You've built a strong personal presence on social media while balancing your career as a musician and the responsibilities that come with it. How do you manage your work, your passion, and your personal life, and what advice would you give to others trying to build something meaningful without burning out?

CHRIS WIRTH: Time blocking is probably the biggest thing for me. The most common thing people say is, “I don’t have enough time,” but have you ever actually tracked where your time goes? I’ve kept physical calendars for years where I write down how much time I spend on music, content, working out, hanging out with people, and even wasting money or scrolling. Once you actually see it in front of you, it gets a lot harder to bs yourself. I try to block out time for whatever needs my attention that week. Music, content, the gym, my relationship, family, or sometimes literally doing nothing. I don’t follow it perfectly. There are still nights where I get home, scroll for an hour and then wonder where my evening went. But at least I can catch myself doing it. I think the biggest thing is realizing that rest isn’t wasted time either. You can’t optimize every second of your life or eventually you’ll just become really efficient at making yourself miserable.

COMET: Many musicians dream of making a career out of their passion, but fewer take the step of building it as a business. What gave you the confidence to incorporate the band, and how has that decision changed the way you approach your career today?

CHRIS WIRTH: Not gonna lie, mostly incorporated because we were hoping we’d get some tax write-offs. There wasn’t some big inspirational moment where we all sat around a table and decided we were businessmen now. We were already making money from touring, selling merch, content, and spending an insane amount of money on the band, so we figured we should probably make it official.

It has made us pay a lot more attention to where the money is going. We’re better at tracking expenses, budgeting, planning releases and figuring out whether something is actually going to help us grow or whether it’s just another cool idea we’re about to throw money at. We’re still five guys trying to write good songs and do ridiculous things onstage. We definitely don’t have it all figured out. Now at least all the money we lose on the band is professionally documented haha.

COMET: Leaving the security of a steady job to pursue music full-time takes a tremendous amount of courage. What gave you the confidence to take that leap, and was there a mentor or someone in your life who helped guide you through that transition?

CHRIS WIRTH: I’ve actually left my job to focus on music a few different times. The longest stretch was almost two years, and eventually I ran out of money and went back to electrical. So it hasn’t been one huge movie moment where I quit my job, chased my dream and never looked back. For me, it’s been more of a cycle. I save money, buy myself as much time as I can, throw everything I have at the band, and then go back to work when I need to rebuild. I’ve learned that I do my best creative work when I can completely disappear into an album. It’s hard to give music your full brain when you’ve already spent ten hours working and you’re trying to squeeze the most important thing in your life into whatever energy is left.

The confidence was honestly just something in me. Life is short, and it can change for the worse at any moment. I had some savings and thought, if I can work this hard for someone else every day at a job, what would happen if I gave that same energy to music? Even if it didn’t work perfectly, there was no way I wasn’t going to make faster progress. The first time I did it, I was still living with my parents. They were okay with it as long as I helped with groceries and bills when I could. I didn’t really have a mentor or anyone showing me the right way to do it. I just had some money saved, a lot of belief in what we were building and enough curiosity to find out what would happen. I think people assume you only get one chance to take a leap. If you quit and then go back to a normal job, it can feel like the dream is over. I don’t see it that way anymore. Going back to work doesn’t erase what you built. Sometimes you’re just rebuilding your runway for the next jump.

COMET: If we were having this conversation five years from now, what accomplishment would make you smile and say, “We did it”?

CHRIS WIRTH: Right now, I’m working as an electrician on Calgary’s new arena, and one of my biggest goals is to become the first artist in history who helped build the place and then eventually gets to play it. That would be such a ridiculous full-circle moment. To spend years showing up there in work boots, helping put the building together, and then come back one day with CHILIØ would probably be the clearest physical reminder that all of this really went somewhere. But the real version of “we did it” would be being able to support myself and eventually a family through music. Touring internationally, playing rooms full of people who actually care about the songs, and making records without every decision being limited by what we can personally afford. I don’t need every day to feel glamorous. I just want music to be our actual life instead of something we’re constantly trying to squeeze into the corners of it.

COMET: Imagine you could write a letter to your five-year-old self. What's the one message you'd want him to carry with him through life?

CHRIS WIRTH: I’d tell him that feeling different isn’t something he needs to fix. There are going to be a lot of times where you wish you were more normal, less emotional, less obsessive or less worried about what other people think. You’re probably going to spend years trying to sand those parts of yourself down. Dont. Keep making things. Let yourself care too much. Don’t let embarrassment decide what you’re allowed to do. You might never feel completely normal, and some days you’ll still wish you did. But the goal was never really to blend in. It was to build a life where you feel at home in who you are.

Johnny Jean | Lead Guitarist

COMET: Let's talk about touring. When did you first hit the road as a musician, and what has been the most rewarding part of that journey for you?

JOHNNY JEAN: The first time I hit the road was back in Mexico, and honestly, it's been a long journey to get where we are today. I still remember my first band trying to squeeze everyone into one car just for the chance to play in another state. We didn't have much, but we had a dream. If there's one thing touring has taught me, it's to never take anything for granted. Always be prepared for the unexpected, but most importantly, enjoy every mile of the journey. Life moves fast, and one day you'll realize those long drives, cheap hotels, and crazy adventures were some of the best moments you'll ever have.

COMET: Thinking back to when you were a kid, who do you remember listening to first that made you fall in love with music? Looking back now, how much did that person influence the musician you've become today?

JOHNNY JEAN: Without a doubt, my dad. I remember him blasting Fool for the City by Foghat in our living room, just completely lost in the music with his Gibson les paul. He wasn't thinking about anything else, he was simply happy. Seeing that joy made me want to experience the same feeling. Today, every time I'm writing a song or making an important decision about my career, I think about what he taught me. If I'm the musician I am today, it's because of him. One hundred percent.

COMET: Is there a secret ritual, tradition, or superstition you have before leaving for a tour or playing a big show that helps you feel ready to perform?

JOHNNY JEAN: When I get home from a tour, the first thing I do is grab my guitar and play all the natural and pinch harmonics on the first string. There are two reasons for it. The first is practical, I check the intonation and make sure the guitar made it through the tour in perfect condition. The second is a little more personal. It's my way of thanking my guitar for carrying me through another incredible journey. As a band, CHILIØ always has a pre-show huddle before we walk on stage. We put our hands together(scissors formation lol), lock in, remind each other why we're there, and get fired up before every show.

COMET: Every artist has a milestone that reminds them they're on the right path. What moment has made you feel the most proud of your craft and everything you've accomplished so far?

JOHNNY JEAN: There have been a lot of incredible moments. Working with brands that believed in us has been huge, and I'm incredibly grateful for that support. But nothing compares to looking into the crowd at Rockin' Thunder and seeing my mom singing our songs with tears in her eyes. She watched her son play on the same stage as Creed, and in that moment, everything made sense. That wasn't about fame. It wasn't about numbers or achievements. It was about making the people who believed in me proud. Music has always been bigger than success, it's about connecting with people, creating memories, and hopefully inspiring someone else the way my dad inspired me.

COMET: Every career requires sacrifice. Looking back on your journey, what's something you've had to give up in order to pursue music, and was it worth it?

JOHNNY JEAN: Absolutely. Without hesitation. People don't always realize that music isn't just a job, it's your entire life. It's 24/7. Sometimes you have to choose between your social life, relationships, financial stability, or even simple comforts.

When I was 17, I sold my first car, the one my mom and dad worked incredibly hard to help me buy, so I could pay for my first album with my first band. I traded one dream for another. I used to walk two hours home from the studio because I couldn't afford anything else. And honestly? I'd do it all over again. Every sacrifice, every setback, every difficult decision led me to where I am today. None of it was wasted. The journey is the reward, and if you truly love what you do, you'll never regret betting on yourself.

Ricardo D'Almeida | Rhythm Guitarist

COMET: Let's talk about songwriting. How long have you been writing music, and what inspired the very first song you ever wrote?

RICARDO D'ALMEIDA: I first wrote my first song when I was 14 years old. I remember I was just playing with a couple of high school friends and we came up with this pretty basic chord progression that reminded a lot of Iron Maiden, so I can definitely say that Iron Maiden was the inspiration.

COMET: Every song goes through countless ideas before it's ready to be released. When it comes to the final product, how does the band work through creative decisions, and what role do you play in shaping the finished sound?

RICARDO D'ALMEIDA: Usually our vocalist brings a raw idea of a song and we get together and polish it until we are happy with the final result. I believe my main role is to arrange guitars, and structure the song so every part makes sense and are connected.

COMET: If your fans could describe you in one word, what do you think they'd choose? What word would your bandmates use, and what word would you choose for yourself? Why?

RICARDO D'ALMEIDA: Everyone says that I am the dad of the band, I believe because I am the oldest and I usually manage the tours and get everyone in line!

COMET: You've earned endorsements throughout your career, something many musicians aspire to achieve. How did those opportunities come together, and what advice would you give to artists hoping to build relationships with brands while staying true to themselves?

RICARDO D'ALMEIDA: Mike, the former A&R from Tagima Guitars reached out to us saying that they were interested in a partnership. Tagima is a very respected Brazilian guitar brand, and funny enough my first two guitars were Tagima (since I am originally from Brazil). It was a full circle moment first time I got to open the box of my first guitar that was endorsed by the brand that I started playing guitar with! The advice I would give is to keep working on your craft and music and the opportunities will naturally occur.

COMET: CHILIØ brings together people from different backgrounds and cultures. How has working with such a diverse group of musicians changed the way you think about music and collaboration?

RICARDO D'ALMEIDA: It is quite challenging, but also rewarding. You need to have an open mind to different ideas! I believe that this diversity is what shapes CHILIØ sound.

James Alexander | Bassist

COMET: Bass players often describe themselves as the foundation of a band's sound. What first drew you to the bass guitar, and what made you fall in love with the instrument?

JAMES ALEXANDER: My mom is a big inspiration for everything I’ve pursued in music and that’s especially true for when I was first starting out. I remember picking up every instrument I could get my hands on and helping her with her songs. It started with guitar, then keyboard, bass and drums, settling on playing mainly drums for a number of my early years until I got to high school. In jazz band I was drawn in by the bass lines from the likes of James Jamerson, Larry Graham and Carol Kaye. I had the opportunity, since our bass player was graduating, to make the switch but I still wasn’t so sure.

When I talked to my mom about it she showed me an incredible video of a bass solo by Stu Hamm, and from then on I was locked in and nothing could stop me.

COMET: Every musician has their own style. How would you describe your approach to playing bass, and who has had the biggest influence on the player you've become today?

JAMES ALEXANDER: My approach when it comes to creating a bass line is to find what space needs to be filled in the song at any given point and fill that space. I believe this is exemplified in my writing in CHILIØ as the bass is not always locked into a particular register or technique but will freely move into higher octaves to create tension or a counter melody, then switch between finger style to slap to drive the energy and momentum forward. The bass player who really had the biggest influence on this notion would have to be Flea. From slapping to perfectly pocketed grooves to high unexpected bass melodies, it was something that really inspired me and made me the player I am.

COMET: The bass isn't always the instrument people notice first, but it's one of the most important pieces of every song. How do you approach your role in a way that helps elevate the entire band?

JAMES ALEXANDER: This always comes down to the song and what the song needs. Every section will have a different focus for the audience, and writing to bring that sound to the next level is what I’m striving for in everything I write.

COMET: Playing bass is all about locking in with the rhythm section. How has your relationship with Blaine as a drummer helped shape the chemistry and groove that fans hear on stage?

JAMES ALEXANDER: When Blaine joined the band and I met him for the first time in the studio I instantly could tell how talented and knowledgeable he was and knew he was going to be a great fit. I’m someone who generally takes a while to warm up to people and let my personality show fully, but once we got to that level it was very clear we had very similar interests and senses of humour to share with one another and quickly became good friends. This is very clear in our work together as the rhythm section in CHILIØ as I believe we have excellent chemistry and ability to lock in together instantly that I know comes through to the audience in every performance and situation.

COMET: Looking ahead, what's one goal you still hope to accomplish as a bassist, and what continues to motivate you to keep growing as a musician?

JAMES ALEXANDER: My goals as a musician are constantly changing as everything develops. What I’d like to accomplish most is playing international tours in Europe and Asia, and recently I’ve become enamored with the idea of headlining a show at Red Rocks in Colorado. But more than anything my goal is to just keep improving myself as a musician, as a person, and growing alongside my bandmates, fellow musicians and friends.

🤘 CLOSING

Right now, we’re working on our next record. We’ve been narrowing down the songs, talking with producers and trying to push the band into a new era without losing what people already connect with. There will be more music, more touring, more videos and probably more ideas that seem unnecessary until we somehow commit to them.

The main goal is to keep growing CHILIØ into something we can do full time.