Gentle Jon

There's little wrong with Jonathan Wilson's musical mojo. He's taking refuge in his studio, keeping out of the intense heat that's recently plagued America, including his hometown of LA. Wilson is as relaxed as a man can be. “Man, I'm just sitting here in my studio, jamming and staying away from the sun. I'm a care-free type of guy,” laughs the American folk, psychedelic and rhythm'n'blues singer/songwriter.

It's hard not to like Wilson. He is affable, charming and so damn unpretentious, he could say the mother of all insults and you would probably end up agreeing. He's gratuitous, humble even, for the success he has achieved. His 2011 debut album, Gentle Spirit, is as warm in melody as Wilson's personality. The album means a lot to the American. “The album's not about a past or present girlfriend, nor is it all about me, me, me. It's about hope,” he tells.

Wilson originally had 20 songs written and produced for Gentle Spirit, but cut it down to a mere 13. The feedback for the album has been exceedingly constructive, so constructive that finding any negative comments is a challenge. Not that his style of lullaby rock'n'roll will be everyone's cup of tea. “The feedback I received for Gentle Spirit was way beyond what I or anyone else imagined. When writing the album and then having finished it, it was frustrating as getting an album into the right hands at the right time is difficult. If the album came out at the wrong time or wrong way it adds to the difficulty,” he says.

For a laid-back, seemingly indifferent guy like Wilson, how does he cope with the apparent immorality that sits within the music industry? “It's a business filled with injustice, but I was lucky and my experience has been a blessing,” he says.

Wilson's music is of a quiet, temperate and breezy nature that has deep roots in the analogue and unprocessed rock'n'roll sounds of the '60s and '70s. His music is in stark contrast to the up-tempo nature of his place of residence, so it is indeed odd that he settled on the hustle and bustle of LA to call home (he's also lived in New York and Atlanta). The choice was simple: “I first arrived in LA as a teenager and got enamoured with the vibe and kept coming back. It was my subconscious doing it and telling me to go back,” he explains.

Wilson's also a bastion of the City Of Angels' inspired Laurel Canyon scene, once home to respected and legendary musicians like Jim Morrison and Frank Zappa. Thanks to Wilson and others, they inadvertently inspired a revival of the Canyon vibe. “It was really an accident,” he says of his involvement in the Canyon scene. “I'd always spend time jamming in my studio and would invite a few buddies over to play. The studio was there and always available, so the scene really just started to grow. It just so happened to be a revival.”

His carefree attitude sits well with how most have perceived him: as a hippy. He laughs, “It depends on how people define the word hippy. If people define it as not having a care in the world, then the title is inaccurate.”

It could even be argued that a bohemian aura rests with the acclaimed singer/songwriter. “I don't know if bohemian is accurate. I'd call it bo-ho,” he laughs. “I take pride in the arts that I am involved in and the different sorts of music that I am trying to make. If that's what is described as bohemian that maybe that is me.”

A native of North Carolina, Wilson is a also respected producer of Elvis Costello, The Black Crowes and others of such ilk. He isn't your archetypal musician, but then again that's just the way he likes it.

Jonathan Wilson will be playing the following shows:

Friday 14 September - Corner Hotel, Melbourne VIC
Friday 15 September - The Standard, Sydney NSW
Sunday 16 September - Brisbane Festival, Brisbane QLD
Monday 17 September - Brisbane Festival, Brisbane QLD