"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 Wilson Live at the Pantages is now available for purchase (by mail order) at the Dan Wilson website:
www.danwilsonmusic.com It's a two-CD document of the show DW & friends played at the Pantages Theater in
Minneapolis in December. One of those gigs that felt great and then actually sounded great on hard drive as well.
"Sugar" in "All About Steve" - Opening September 4th
The instrumental version of Dan's "Sugar" is used in the upcoming Sandra Bullock film, "All About Steve". The soundtrack for the film,
includes the full version of "Sugar' as well as tracks from Nikka Costa, Phantom Planet. Bob Schneider and others. Available at iTunes
Click here to see the MAD TV Video Music Awards clip
Here's what Dan was up to in Athens at the end of June: filming an appearance on the MAD TV Video Music Awards. Dig the crazy crane shots and psychedelic light wall. And you can even see Dan occasionally. Superfun.
DW is going to be occasionally posting on a blog associated with the Minneapolis Star and Tribune. The Strib is calling their community blogs "Your Voices." Here is the Dan Wilson blog at the Star Tribune.
DW on the Australian music television show "Rockwiz," along with Australian singer and blues guitarist Liz Stringer.
Here's Dan performing on "Rockwiz."
The National Wildlife Federation has used Dan's song "Free Life" in an inspiring clip about Alaska:
DW Produced Album
The Dan Wilson-produced Jeremy Messersmith album, "The Silver City" (Princess Records), is now available. Fans of DW's singing will dig Jeremy's voice and music. His album's ten songs about the joys and perils of relationships, daily commuting, and information-age employment form an unexpectedly gorgeous love song to urban life. Plus, "Franklin Avenue" and "Miracles" rock. Click here for Jeremy's site or Click here to buy the album right away
James Morrison co-write
A song DW co-wrote with British folk & soul singer James Morrison, entitled "Once When I Was Little," is on Morrison's album "Songs for You, Truths for Me." Click here to listen!
Co-Write CD Release
Fans of DW's songwriting should be aware that the Gabe Dixon Band has released their CD, "The Gabe Dixon Band," on August 26th. Dan co-wrote three of the songs on the album with Gabe, "All Will Be Well," "Five More Hours," and "Find My Way." This album has been a long time in the writing, making, and waiting - DW fans can relate to that - and it has been worth the work and the wait. Click here for more info
New Carrie Rodriguez Co-Write
A song Dan has written with singer/songwriter/fiddler Carrie Rodriguez, "She Ain't Me," is the first single on Carrie's new album, also titled "She Ain't Me." You can hear the song on Carrie's myspace page. Click here to listen
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
Hi Dan... 'Free Life' is a truly lovely song - beautiful melody and evocative lyrics. I think you're a wonderful songwriter. If you have 5 or 10 minutes and the inclination, please stop by my page and listen to some of my songs (piano/vocal demos). I'd really appreciate that. Best wishes, Elizabeth
Hello Dan, Thank you for adding me as Your Friend. You're my 3980th Friend!!! Nice music you have there, Take Care, and Have a good day. Regards, MICHAEL.
That is so awesome that you are touring the Twin Cities. Your music means so much to me. I saw you in December at the Pantages and I will definitely be seeing you in September! Thank you!
