Jonathan Wilson’s work as a guitarist, songwriter and producer is unfold throughout the musical spectrum, from his early work with Muscadine to credit with Roy Harper, Jackson Browne, Father John Misty and an inventory of solo releases. Considered a number one mild of the revived Laurel Canyon scene, he’s been a member of Roger Waters’ band since 2017. Prog requested Wilson about his relationship with the style.
The place’s house?
I dwell within the great space of LA known as Topanga Canyon.
What’s your earliest prog reminiscence?
Rising up in North Carolina, listening to basic rock radio and listening to Rush. In my early teenage bands we used to cowl Tom Sawyer, after all!
What was the primary prog album to procure?
I used to be an enormous Frank Zappa fan early on, so both Scorching Rats or Joe’s Storage. I can’t keep in mind which I had first.
And the final?
I lately scored a vinyl reissue of Can’s Tago Mago. I’ve been a large fan via the years, and I really like all phases of that band.
What was your first proggy gig?
Rush on their Alerts tour, in Greensboro, North Carolina [March 1983]. I keep in mind in the course of the music Subdivisions that phrase got here out of a special set of audio system across the enviornment. A quadraphonic aural expertise – I’d by no means heard something like that in my life.
And the newest?
Massive Thief on the Hollywood Eternally Cemetery in LA [August 2023]. They’ve angular and proggy moments – I actually love that band.
What was one of the best prog gig you ever noticed?
Roger Waters dwell at Desert Journey, Indio, California [October 2016], earlier than I used to be in his band. Such a spectacle: 80,000 followers, eight-way spatial audio. Unsure anybody has ever topped that –together with Floyd.
What’s your newest prog discovery?
Jim Pembroke from Wigwam. Notably the album Depraved Ivory, beneath his moniker Scorching Thumbs O’Riley. The music Heat Rumours is my type of prog rock.
Any responsible musical pleasures?
I’m completely into the early 90s, tacky world music vibe of Deep Forest. And Zappa’s Jazz From Hell – it’s virtually unlistenable to some, however I like it.
Outdoors of music, what else are you into?
I’m a automotive nut, specifically early Porsche 911s. I’ve owned three and constructed one from scratch in the course of the pandemic with a buddy. Additionally cooking, gardening – residing that Canyon life!
What’s your favorite prog venue?
The Roundhouse in London. I’ve performed it twice. [English singer- songwriter] Invoice Fay got here out; it was superb to satisfy him.
I might be honoured to work with Robert Wyatt. I really like him a lot
Who’s your prog hero?
Roy Harper. Poetry, melody, his guitar taking part in, and the genius of songs like Me And My Girl or Hallucinating Mild. My type of prog.
What’s crucial piece of prog music?
Perhaps Sea Tune by Robert Wyatt, or Unusual Stairway by Invoice Fay – they’ve the progressive vibrations that talk to me. Or Can’s All Gates Open. There are such a lot of!
Suggest us learn.
Walden by Henry David Thoreau. The one ebook I can learn once more again and again.
Which prog muso would you most wish to work with?
I might be honoured to work with Robert Wyatt. I really like him a lot. His connection and mixing of songwriting, jazz, psych is simply unbelievable.
Which prog album will get you in temper?
Clear Spot by Captain Beefheart. That’s my shit!
What’s your favorite prog album cowl?
Gotta give it as much as Pink Floyd’s Animals for that.
And what are you as much as in the intervening time?
I’m producing a couple of cool initiatives, ending a brand new Father John Misty album, and hopefully doing a little particular orchestra reveals round my new album, Eat The Worm.
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