Early life
Wilson was born on December 30, 1974 in Forest City, North Carolina and raised in nearby Spindale, North Carolina. His father was a bandleader and his grandfather a Baptist pastor whose services Wilson was often invited to play at. Wilson has cited his upbringing in North Carolina and the state's rich musical heritage as an early influence.
Career
Muscadine
Wilson founded the band Muscadine with Benji Hughes in 1995. The band released their debut album, The Ballad of Hope Nicholls, on Sire Records in 1998.
Solo career
Wilson released his album Gentle Spirit on Bella Union on August 8, 2011 in the UK and Europe and on September 13, 2011 in the US. The album debuted at number 15 on the UK Indie Chart and was awarded the #4 spot on Mojo's 2011 Best Albums of the Year list. Gentle Spirit features many special guests including Barry Goldberg, Chris Robinson, Gary Louris, Andy Cabic, Otto Hauser, Josh Grange, Gary Mallaber, Z Berg, Adam McDougall, Johnathan Rice, among others. Jonathan was named Uncut Magazine's 2011 "New Artist of the Year".
In April 2012, Wilson released "Pity Trials and Tomorrow's Child", a limited edition vinyl EP on Bella Union for Record Store Day 2012. American Songwriter named it, "Five Things To Look For On Record Store Day". One of the album's three tracks, a cover of George Harrison's "Isn't It A Pity", includes guest vocals by Graham Nash.
In October 2013, Wilson released his second album, Fanfare, on Downtown Records and Bella Union. The album debuted at #8 on the UK Indie Chart, #50 on the UK Overall Chart, #18 in the Norway Overall Chart and #49 in the Netherlands in its first week. Uncut Magazine and Rolling Stone Germany named Fanfare its Album of the Month the month of its release. The album features contributions from David Crosby, Graham Nash, Jackson Browne, Mike Campbell, Benmont Tench, Father John Misty, Taylor Goldsmith (Dawes) and Patrick Sansone (Wilco). The album also features Wilson's band, including Jason Borger, Omar Velasco, Richard Gowen and Dan Horne. Roy Harper wrote the lyrics to the song "New Mexico".
In February 2018, he released his third solo album Rare Birds. On March 6 2020, he released his new solo album called Dixie Blur. Wilson also completed a solo album titled Frankie Ray in 2007. The record was never officially released.
Record producer and other projects
Record production
Wilson currently maintains his recording studio, Fivestar Studios, in Echo Park, Los Angeles, which he relocated from its original location in Laurel Canyon in 2009.
Over several months in 2013 and 2014, Wilson produced and played on Conor Oberst's new album Upside Down Mountain released on Nonesuch Records in May 2014. The album was recorded at Wilson's Fivestar Studios in Los Angeles and Blackbird Studios in Nashville.
In 2013 Wilson produced "Jubilee", the fifth album from Canadian band, The Deep Dark Woods in Alberta, Canada.
In 2012, Wilson co-produced and played on Roy Harper's latest album, Man and Myth (Bella Union, 2013) at Fivestar Studios. In the same year, Wilson produced a Glen Campbell session at Fivestar Studios for Daytrotter.
In 2011, Wilson co-produced and played on the debut Father John Misty record, Fear Fun released on Sub Pop, at Fivestar Studios.
In 2010, Wilson produced and collaborated with Bonnie 'Prince' Billy on a series of songs for release on Spiritual Pajamas Records, a boutique 7" label associated with Folk Yeah Presents. Wilson recorded and produced Dawes' debut album, North Hills, at his Laurel Canyon studio. That same year, Wilson recorded and produced Dawes' second album, Nothing Is Wrong, at Five Star Studio.
As part of Wilson's project, What You Need Is What You Have, The Songs of Roy Harper, Wilson has produced songs performed by Will Oldham, Andy Cabic, Chris Robinson, Benji Hughes, Dawes, Jenny O., Johnathan Rice, Josh Tillman, and others. Wilson also produced Jason Boesel's album, Hustler's Son, Mia Doi Todd's album Cosmic Ocean Ship and mixed Goodnight Lenin's debut album, In The Fullness Of Time, due for release in late 2014. Wilson has also recorded and/or produced many other artists in his studio, including Gerald Johnson, James Gadson, and Josh Tillman.
Other music projects
In 2010 and 2011, Wilson collaborated with Erykah Badu in the studio on several songs, only one of which was officially released. Wilson also appeared as a special guest with Erykah Badu at her 2011 Coachella performance.
In April 2011, Wilson performed with Robbie Robertson and Dawes on CBS's Late Show with David Letterman, ABC's The View and Later... with Jools Holland in support of Robertson's album How to Become Clairvoyant.
In the fall of 2011, Wilson was invited by Roy Harper as a special guest at Royal Festival Hall as part of Harper's sold out 70th birthday celebration. Wilson also toured with Wilco in the fall of 2011 for 15 shows across the UK & Europe. In July 2011 Wilson performed and collaborated with Jackson Browne and Dawes on a mini tour throughout Spain. Wilson performed at the 2011 benefit concert for Musicians United for Safe Energy at Shoreline Amphitheater joining Crosby, Stills & Nash, Jackson Browne, Bonnie Raitt, John Hall, The Doobie Brothers, Jason Mraz, Tom Morello, Kitaro, Sweet Honey In The Rock and others. Wilson was joined onstage by Jackson Browne and Graham Nash to perform his song "Gentle Spirit". Wilson also joined Crosby, Stills & Nash, Jackson Browne, Bonnie Raitt and others for the concert's finale, "Teach Your Children".
In August 2012, Jonathan was featured as a guest of Move Me Brightly, a tribute to Jerry Garcia in honor of his 70th birthday. The event was held at Bob Weir's TRI Studios in Marin County, California and featured other guests and musicians including Bob Weir, Phil Lesh, Donna Jean Godchaux, Jeff Chimenti, and many others. In June 2012, Jonathan and his band were invited by Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers to support them on their 2012 European tour, which included 2 sold out nights at Royal Albert Hall.
In 2013, Wilson is curated a collection of songs as part of What You Need Is What You Have, The Songs of Roy Harper, a Roy Harper tribute album that includes songs performed by Will Oldham, Andy Cabic, Chris Robinson, Benji Hughes, Dawes, Jenny O., Johnathan Rice, Josh Tillman, and others. Wilson was a member of The Emerald Triangle, a touring collaboration with Andy Cabic, Johnathan Rice, Neal Casal, and Husky. In addition, Wilson has recorded projects and/or performed with Johnathan Rice for Reprise Records, Chris Robinson of the Black Crowes and Phil Lesh from the Grateful Dead, Ramblin' Jack Elliott, and Bert Jansch.
In 2017, Wilson appeared on Roger Waters' "Is This The Life You Really Want?" release and played with Waters on the 2017–18 Us + Them tour.
Laurel Canyon
Wilson is credited with revitalizing the Laurel Canyon music scene with the help of his many friends and is featured in the 2009 book Canyon of Dreams by rock historian Harvey Kubernik. Wilson had hosted private jam sessions at his compound in Laurel Canyon that involved Andy Cabic, Pat Sansone and John Stirratt of Wilco, Gerald Johnson, Johnathan Rice, Gary Louris and Mark Olson of The Jayhawks, Chris Robinson of The Black Crowes, David Rawlings, Benmont Tench of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Jakob Dylan, and other notable artists who have played professionally with and/or in The Electric Flag, Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Van Morrison, The Cars, Bruce Springsteen, Steve Miller Band, and Pearl Jam. The jam was founded by Wilson and Chris Robinson.
Fazon
Jonathan Wilson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In all those cities underground
If they move there
When will they ever come out of the ground
Are they gonna raise their children
In tiny caverns in the ground
Send the children out to play
In the soundbay I found
Fa fa fa fa fa fazon fazon fazon
Who's gonna be the ones who live beneath the sea
All their lives a thousand feet beneath the sea
Pushin mother tells her baby it used to be a lighter place
If she's a good baby baby might feel the sun upon his face someday
Fa fa fa fa fa fazon fazon fazon
Who's gonna go on all those trips in outer space
All their lives in the darkened outer space
After a hundred generations billion miles from the sun
All the spaced out people finaly find another one
And they say:
Fa fa fa fa fa fazon fazon fazon
Fa fa fa fa fa fazon fazon fazon
The lyrics of Jonathan Wilson's song Fazon reflect the potential future of human civilization. The song portrays society choosing to move underground, live beneath the sea, or venture into outer space in search of a new home. The lyrics question the consequences of such moves and wonder whether we will ever come out of the ground or even see the light of day again. There is a pervasive sense of loss, as pushin mother tells her baby it used to be a lighter place, implying the opportunity cost of such choices.
The repetitions of "fa" and "fazon" throughout the song emphasize the theme of the unknown, the unexplored, and the possibility of something new. The word "fazon" itself is open to multiple interpretations: it could be a made-up word that represents the unknown, or it could be an abbreviation of "phase zone," which could symbolize the different stages of human development the song speaks to.
In summary, Fazon is a contemplative, existential song that poses fundamental questions about the future of our civilization and the choices we make as a society.
Line by Line Meaning
Who's gonna live
Who will reside
In all those cities underground
In the subterranean metropolises
If they move there
Should they move thither
When will they ever come out of the ground
Will they ever emerge anew from the soil
Are they gonna raise their children
Will they rear their offspring
In tiny caverns in the ground
In minuscule chambers below
Send the children out to play
Release the progeny to frolic
In the soundbay I found
Near the bay of resonance I discovered
Fa fa fa fa fa fazon fazon fazon
Repetition of nonsensical phrase with no apparent meaning
Who's gonna be the ones who live beneath the sea
Who shall inhabit the depths of the ocean
All their lives a thousand feet beneath the sea
For their entire existence, one thousand feet submerged
Pushin mother tells her baby it used to be a lighter place
Mother tells her child that the past was brighter
If she's a good baby baby might feel the sun upon his face someday
With good behavior, the child may one day bask in the sunlight
Who's gonna go on all those trips in outer space
Who will undertake journeys to the cosmos
All their lives in the darkened outer space
Their existence entirely in the somber expanse of space
After a hundred generations billion miles from the sun
Following a century of generations, one billion miles from the sun
All the spaced out people finaly find another one
The detached individuals eventually discover another like themselves
And they say:
And they utter
Fa fa fa fa fa fazon fazon fazon
Repetition of nonsensical phrase with no apparent meaning
Contributed by Connor V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
timberframingbear
Miraculous Hump is a top 10 album for me. Mainly for Dancin Wizard, Sneaky Smith, Orange Peel, and pretty much all the others.
This is a great cover. Thank you.
Ewan McDougall
Me too. What an album!! Possibly creeping closer to top 5 for me too but I'm still not really sure what my top 5 is hah
Tom Tuerff
Great cover of one of my favorite songs. I bet the Sopwith Camel guys would like this version very much!
Claudine Wilson
Strongly disagree. This version sucks
Etcher
@Claudine Wilson I strongly agree with your disagreement
notrombones
Great song!!!
It's good to know somebody else knows it exists.
Rick Norris
Very nice cover of a great Song from a great Album. Just so glad that someone out there knows of Sopwith Camel and is doing a tribute to them. Thank you!
Arman Masudi
lovin' the bass sound!
Jez Jackson
I got this played on radio 6, songs for a dystopian society... One of my faves
Nugsy Malone
I've never heard a cover of this before, pretty cool. I really like his Vuarnets too