Jonathan Wilson (born December 30, 1974) is an American musician and record… Read Full Bio ↴Jonathan Wilson (born December 30, 1974) is an American musician and record producer based in Topanga, California, United States.

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.

Her Hair Is Growing Long
Jonathan Wilson Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Alone again
I can feel my spirit fly
I can see a single line
Drawing in the reaches of my mind

The roads unpaved
But still rainbow touches leads the way
Age old wisdom still remains

She lies behind her dessert island name

The bloodline it is thin
Will it wrap around again
Or am I singing with the end
I know that I am singing with the end

I am saved by her rainbow eyes
Now I've placed her in this song
She smokes she sees
Her hair is growing long

And we dance
And we dance
And we dance

And the night goes oooooon...

Overall Meaning

Jonathan Wilson's song "Her Hair Is Growing Long" is a reflection of the singer's mindset as he experiences a moment of spiritual awakening. The opening lines of the song, "Alone again/ I can feel my spirit fly/ I can see a single line/ Drawing in the reaches of my mind" suggest that the singer is in a state of solitude, but he is able to connect with his inner self and experience a sense of freedom. The "single line drawing in the reaches of his mind" could be a reference to the stream of consciousness that he is experiencing as he reflects on his emotions.

The singer goes on to describe the beauty of the world around him, even though the "roads unpaved". He sees the "rainbow touches" that lead the way and "age old wisdom" that still remains. This could be interpreted as a message of hope, that even though the world may not be perfect, there is still hope and beauty to be found.

The singer then seems to question his own mortality, wondering whether his "bloodline" will "wrap around again" or whether he is "singing with the end". This suggests that he may be considering his own legacy and whether his life will have a lasting impact.

The song then takes a turn towards a more personally significant subject as the singer reflects on a woman who has apparently touched his life deeply. He sings, "I am saved by her rainbow eyes/ Now I've placed her in this song/ She smokes she sees/ Her hair is growing long". The mention of being "saved by her rainbow eyes" suggests that she has provided him with a sense of hope and joy. His mention of her smoking and her hair growing long, suggests that this woman has a strong sense of self, is comfortable in her own skin, and therefore an inspiration to the singer. The song ends with the singer describing a shared moment with this woman where "we dance/ And we dance/ And we dance/ And the night goes on..."

Overall, "Her Hair Is Growing Long" is a beautiful song about reflection, hope, and love. It speaks to a moment in the singer's life where he is experiencing a spiritual awakening and is reflecting on the beauty of the world and the people around him.

Line by Line Meaning

Alone again
I am alone once again

I can feel my spirit fly
I feel a sense of freedom and upliftment

I can see a single line
I see a clear path ahead

Drawing in the reaches of my mind
I am exploring the depths of my thoughts

The roads unpaved
The path ahead is not yet defined

But still rainbow touches leads the way
There are signs of hope and promise along the way

Age old wisdom still remains
The wisdom of the past continues to hold true

She lies behind her dessert island name
There is a mystery and intrigue surrounding the woman he speaks of

The bloodline it is thin
The connection to the past is tenuous

Will it wrap around again
Will history repeat itself?

Or am I singing with the end
Perhaps this is the end of the line