Stephen Wilson Jr. might be the only former scientist in Americana who can turn a boxing ring, a Pixies classic, and a Temple of the Dog anthem into different chapters of the same existential crisis. The Indiana-born singer-songwriter has been steadily dismantling genre expectations since søn of dad, and his latest run of singles, including “Gary,” “Preacher’s Kid,” “Cørnerman,” and the Miranda Lambert collaboration “Hardwired,” suggests he’s nowhere near finished. Speaking with Kyle Meredith, Wilson reflects on the deeply personal connections running through his catalog, the unexpected musical detours that have shaped his next chapter, and the surreal experience of joining Eddie Vedder onstage at the Ohana Festival to sing Chris Cornell’s parts on “Hunger Strike.”
Personal Connections and Musical Detours
Wilson’s music is characterized by its deeply personal connections, and his latest singles are no exception. The song “Cørnerman” is essentially a sequel to “Father’s Søn,” continuing the conversation begun on søn of dad alongside songs like “I’m a Song” and “Grief Is Only Love.” Its origins stretch back to a performance of “Stand by Me” at Bridgestone Arena, where Wilson felt his father’s presence so intensely that it almost seemed like a final goodbye.
Collaborations and Influences
The Pixies classic “Where Is My Mind?” makes an unexpected appearance in “Hardwired,” Wilson’s collaboration with Miranda Lambert. Wilson says the chorus arrived during his drive to the writing session, and the Pixies connection emerged almost accidentally. By placing Black Francis’ famous existential question alongside lyrics about people working themselves into the ground, Wilson found an entirely different kind of psychological unraveling.
Performing with Eddie Vedder
Wilson’s experience joining Eddie Vedder onstage at the Ohana Festival to sing Chris Cornell’s parts on “Hunger Strike” was a surreal one. “It felt like to me the sky opened up for a few minutes and everything just kind of went still and quiet,” Wilson recalls. This performance was not just a highlight of his career, but also a meaningful connection to his own music, as he had previously recorded “Hunger Strike” for his Blankets EP.
Wilson’s music is a reflection of his own experiences and emotions, and he sees his songs as observations rather than declarations. “I’m just trying to be a good record keeper,” says the former scientist. “I’m not really making any particular proclamations with these songs. I’m just showing everybody what I’ve seen and where I’ve been.” With his latest singles and upcoming tour dates, Stephen Wilson Jr. continues to push the boundaries of Americana music and explore the depths of his own creativity.
Listen to Stephen Wilson Jr. talk about his new music, søn of dad, performing with Eddie Vedder, and more in the new episode of Kyle Meredith With…. Get tickets to all his upcoming tour dates, even his sold-out November/December East Coast run, here. Keep up on all the latest episodes by following Kyle Meredith With… on your favorite podcast platform, and check out all the series on the Consequence Podcast Network.
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