“I feel like good art is informed by big moments,” says Northern California singer-songwriter Victoria George. Her new album, “Wilderness,” proves the point. Written and recorded in the wake of a life-altering brain cancer diagnosis, the album is a powerful creative statement from an artist whose sound seamlessly blends country roots and folk storytelling with a hint of pop.
Throughout her career, George’s voice and songwriting prowess have set her apart from Nashville trends, even as she shared stages with legends like Willie Nelson, Brandi Carlile, and Loudon Wainwright. Her late 2018 release “Victoria George & The High Lonesome” was a rootsy standout, but when the pandemic hit, live music everywhere came to a halt and so did George’s momentum.
In early 2024, just as she was gearing up to record again, a brain tumor diagnosis, followed by surgery, radiation, and recovery, stalled her progress but reshaped her writing and resolve. Her latest release, “Wilderness,” is both intimate and expansive, blending piano, strings, and Fleetwood Mac–style synths with deeply personal storytelling. From the anthemic title track to the upbeat “When I get up” and the heartfelt “Every Little Bit,” it’s an album born from survival, clarity, and a fresh creative fire. “This big moment, this is my time,” George says. “I’ve never been more certain of who I am and what I want to say.”
