Seeing the visual side of songwriter Dan Wilson
by Mac Wilson
October 16, 2015
Minnesota native Dan Wilson is renowned for his songwriting; he has written and performed songs with Trip Shakespeare, Semisonic and as a solo artist, plus he has written acclaimed hits for such acts as the Dixie Chicks and Adele.
Beyond music, Wilson is also an accomplished visual artist, specializing in calligraphy and ink drawing. Wilson's songs and visual art come alive at a show at Mia on Friday, Oct. 16; he tells The Current's Mac Wilson (no relation to Dan) all about it.
The sold-out show is called Words and Music (and Art) by Dan Wilson. "Yes, we keep adding an extra word to that title," Dan says. "Because it's Mia, my manager and I thought it would be fun to show a bunch of the artwork that I've done over the past several years and also from back when I was showing in galleries and stuff. It'll be like a higher resolution, low budget, multimedia performance."
One of the forms Dan works in is something he calls an illuminated setlist. "I make a big drawing that walks you through the things I want to perform and also what I want to talk about, the ideas I've been thinking about," Dan explains. "An illuminated setlist is like an illuminated manuscript from the Dark Ages or something: It's half drawing and half writing."
Mac asks whether the illuminated setlist does something to take away from the spontaneous feel of a Dan Wilson concert. "I print up a nice cardstock print of it and give it to everybody on the way out the door, so … they only see the illuminated setlist at the end of the gig," Dan says. "And then the other trick is that I often change the set anyway! I can't seem to stick to the plan exactly."
Friday's show at Mia will include music performances (Dan will be accompanied by Brad Gordon on piano and backing vocals) and a slideshow of Dan's visual art. Dan thinks Mia is a perfect setting for the gig. "I love Mia," he says. "The past 10 years, it feels like they've revitalized themselves somehow. I'm such a fan. I'm really happy to be doing this show."
Songs Performed
"Disappearing"
"Treacherous"
"Never Meant to Love You"
The song "Disappearing" appears on Dan Wilson's 2014 album, Love Without Fear, available on +180 Records. "Treacherous" was co-written by Dan Wilson and Taylor Swift; "Never Meant to Love You" co-written by Dan Wilson and Corey Chisel. During the in-studio performance, Dan is accompanied by Brad Gordon on piano and backing vocals.
Hosted by Mac Wilson
Produced by Derrick Stevens
Engineered by Michael DeMark
Visuals by Nate Ryan
Web feature by Luke Taylor
