Dan
Wilson, former lead singer of the band Semisonic, has
experienced plenty of success with the band's hit song, 'Closing
Time.' He has worked with artists like Jewel, Rachel Yamagata,
and Sheryl Crow. In 2007, Wilson won a Song of the Year Grammy
Award with the Dixie Chicks for co-writing the song, 'Not Ready
to Make Nice.' In October, Dan Wilson will be releasing his debut
solo album, Free Life. PCM's Julie
Kissane got to chat with Dan about touring, recording and
his anticipated album release!
J: Hi Dan! Well, let's hop right into the interview; we have
plenty of questions for you. How do you feel about the upcoming
release of your solo album? Do you feel a certain amount of pressure;
are you biting your nails? Or do you feel like this is something
that you have been ready for for a long time?
D: Well, that's a good question! I am really excited about it.
I realized that I haven't thought too much about what people are
going to say or whether they are going to like it. I am so happy
with how it turned out that I sort of, deferred that worry. I
am so siked about getting it out and having people be able to
hear it. It's good to get it out into the world. I love when people
make music a part of their life.
J: Yes, I was on your Myspace and I thought to myself, "Where
have I heard this voice before?" and then I read your biography
and learned about Semisonic and I thought, "Of course!"
In addition to being in Semisonic, you have collaborated with
many different artists as well. Do you find that working with
other musicians enhances the music process for you or did you
enjoy working solo?
D: I think if I had to choose, I would make my own record. But
that's only if I could do one. I think that I always like having
an iron to the fire and having a lot of things going on. I love
collaborating with people and knocking around ideas. I used to
be a painter in an art gallery actually. One day I had this revelation
that it's a lonely, lonely life painting in an art gallery every
day. I just decided I wanted to do something more with people.
It's good to have the human contact and when I am writing with
other people it's good to speak about their issues and concerns.
It's good to do that.
J: Right, my next question is a stem from what you just mentioned;
do you have a memorable artist that you have worked with?
D: There is a bunch of them! I tend to want to work with people
again, but I just don't have the freedom these days to work with
everyone that I meet! I have to unfortunately be pickier, but
when I do work with people, I think that I always picture when
I can work with them again. I had a great time with the Dixie
Chicks. None of us knew what to expect from the other. We got
together and within 45 minutes it was obvious that we were getting
along. We wrote a whole bunch of great songs and had a great time.
Actually I remember the next morning, I lost my voice because
I laughed so much! They are very witty. I really loved writing
with Rachel Yamagata as well. She's such a fantastic singer. I
would say an idea and she would sing it back to me and her voice
is so smoky and sexy.
J: She does have a distinct voice!
D: Such talent!
J: Back to your album though, why did you title the album,
Free Life?
D: Well, it was one of the songs and the title came from me realizing
that life was about freedom. I started thinking about "free"
in the sense of, it costs you nothing. I got off on the idea of,
"what are you going to spend your free life on?" and
thought about that as an album title. I realized that I wanted
to focus the record on that side of things. What is life all about?
J: I think it says a lot in two little words. People can interpret
the meaning in a lot of different ways.
D: I hope that's the case, also. I think it's lighthearted. Like
having a backpack and taking trains and buses all over the world
but it could always mean something more intense. Like if you have
an experience in life when you realize that you aren't going to
live forever. Your life becomes more precious and everyday you
get to make a decision about what to do with yourself.
J: Well, are you expected to be on the road for awhile after
the release of this album in October?
D: Yeah, I'll probably do a lot of shows. I'm hoping I can get
everywhere a couple times.
J: Is performing live something you prefer over say, recording
in a studio? Or do you think they are two different experiences?
D: They are pretty different. I tried as much as possible on this
album to make it like a live experience. A lot of the vocals are
live and are as I say them that day with the band. It's something
I tried to do, make it about a performance. I guess the difference
is, for me, that playing in front of an audience gives me feedback
and I get a sense of what is working. What exactly about my art
is actually affecting people?
J: I like that approach. Well, my last question is meant to
end on a light note. If you could only listen to one album on
a deserted island, what album would that be?
D: Tea for the Tillerman, Cat Stevens.
J: Alright! Thank you so much, we appreciate your time!
D: It was really good to talk to you, thanks for all your questions.
