"I'm heavily influenced by Joni Mitchell, Beatles, Cat Stevens, Stevie Wonder, Jaco Pastorius, Miles Davis, Pink Floyd, Neil Young, Duke Ellington. I'm lightly but happily influenced by Wilco, Elliot Smith, Pat Metheny, Jimi Hendrix, Yes, John Coltrane, REM, Sigur Ros, Jesus Christ Superstar. I should mention U2 and add that I don't sound at all like them. In recent years I've had the chance to collaborate with artists who influenced me: Rick Rubin, Mike Doughty, Benmont Tench, Sheryl Crow, more. And somehow I think that everyone I write or perform with becomes an influence, sometimes more profound than any listening list: The Dixie Chicks, Jeremy Messersmith, Storyhill, Griffin House, Sean and Sara Watkins, Ingrid Michaelson, Bic Runga, Glen Phillips, Bleu, Gabe Dixon, Rachael Yamagata, Jason Mraz, lots more."
Sounds Like
Dan says: "I hope I sound like Neil Young, Sea Change by Beck, Iron and Wine. I know I sound like Semisonic (can't help that!), Beatles but trying not to. I've been listening to a lot of Louis Armstrong lately, somehow that's going to seep into my songwriting."
Dan will be performing at LA's Hotel Cafe this Thursday, July 10th. Get more info here.
Dan Wilson's live at the Electric Fetus EP is now available at iTunes, Amazon Digital, Napster, Real Music, and Rhapsody. Features his performances of "Hand On My Heart," "Free Life," "Easy Silence," "Sugar," and "Breathless" at his in-store at Electric Fetus in Minneapolis in October.
To accompany the release of "Free Life" as a single, DW has created a five-song EP, called "Be Free EP." The download-only record includes Dan's new, unreleased versions of The Dixie Chicks' "Lullaby" and Jimmy Webb's "All I Know." Rounding out the set are "I Can't Hold You," and "Hello Stranger," both tragically cut from the Free Life album.
AT&T Blue Room
Click here to listen to Dan tell the story behind some of the songs from "Free Life" and watch his exclusive performance for AT&T's Blue Room.
Click here to watch a clip from the Dixie Chicks about the making of the single "Not Ready To Make Nice" with commentary from Dan.
Get "Free Life" on iTunes or click here to buy the "Free Life" CD from Amazon.com.
Renowned for the elegance of his melodies, the intelligence of his lyrics and the purity of his voice, Dan Wilson's first solo album, titled "Free Life," is now available on American Recordings/Columbia.
"Free Life" features guest appearances by a large cast of characters, including Sheryl Crow, Mason Jennings, Sean Watkins, Benmont Tench, Eric Fawcett, John Munson, Amy Jennings, John Hermanson, Ruby Amanfu, Bleu, Jacob Slichter, Matt Wilson, JoAnna James, Andy Thompson, Gary Louris, Joe Savage and many others. Guests on "lost" tracks from the album's long history extend the Minneapolis who's who: Adam Levy, Rob Skoro, Brian Tighe and many others participated in the process over several years. The CD features 12 new songs written by Wilson, and one surprising addition — a version of the Dixie Chicks-DW collaboration "Easy Silence."
The album was produced by Wilson with guidance from label head and executive producer Rick Rubin. While "Free Life" is in some ways a departure from Wilson’s previous work, it also finds him in the familiar territory that has been reflected in much of his work — the elevated, chill-inducing melodies, the thoughtful yet straightforward lyrics, the striving for honesty of expression. “I’ve always loved songwriting that sounded like truth,” says Wilson, “like first-person confessions, like confidences whispered in your ear. Even if I’m willing to tinker with reality and my own history, I want the song to feel true.”
Wilson is a celebrated artist and songwriter whose diverse and highly lauded projects now span two decades. In 2007 Wilson received a Song of the Year Grammy Award with the Dixie Chicks for 'Not Ready to Make Nice,' while co-writing an additional five songs on the trio's Album of the Year-winning 'Taking the Long Way'. Wilson had previously been recognized by the Grammys with a nomination for 'Best Rock Song' as the primary songwriter and singer for the song 'Closing Time' by the critically acclaimed Minneapolis band Semisonic.
Now more than ever an in-demand songwriter and producer, Wilson has recently collaborated with artists including Mike Doughty, AbsentStar, Nickel Creek, Rachel Yamagata, Jewel, and Craig Wiseman. Dan Wilson began his career as a writer and performer with the seminal Minneapolis cult band Trip Shakespeare in the early nineties.
Dan performing "Easy Silence" on 2/14/07
at the Cedar Cultural Center in Minneapolis
(cellists: Jacqueline Ferrier-Ultan and Michelle Kinney of Jelloslave)
Dan telling the story of "Closing Time" @ Troubadour on 11/12/07
I just thought I'd let you know that we uploaded our review for "Free Life" to our website. I really enjoyed the album so please don't stop making music :)
hi Dan! Thank u for adding me! Your album is very good especially the first four tracks and the one before the last one!Congratulations for your work, and btw I like that u keep your original style..
Just wanted to let you know that I love 'lullaby' as sung by the Dixie chicks.... what a wonderful song! I had to find the writer - you are very talented!
Love the free life tune. Makes me think of the Buddha Tsepamey, whose name in Tibetan means Infinite Life. No beginning - no end - thanks for the lovely inspiring words and beautifully produced song.
Adding to the below...you rocked the HOTEL CAFE. Serously you were some kind of wonderful! Thanks again...I'm happy to have found your music now at this point in my life.
hi Dan, I was at the PUSH deal last night w/ Rob Genadek and I was so rejuvenated by your songs and your performance style...quality is so rare and inspiring...the thirty year old young woman next to me exclaimed as we were leaving the theatre, omg, I'm totally in love with him!...nice work sir.
