Clint Wilson Family Tree Interview

With the release of Another Death in the Family, Clint Wilson has breathed new life into the incredibly competitive Australian country scene. His sophomore album has big shoes to fill; Dark Water, his 2018 debut, reached #2 on the iTunes Country Charts. But rather than fill his own shoes, Wilson prefers to walk in someone else's, evidenced by his acclaimed songwriting and storytelling that's earned him comparisons to artists like Paul Kelly and Crowded House.

 

Hailing from Melbourne, Wilson has an uncanny knack of instantly connecting with his audience. He's an immensely likeable artist and that makes his emotional turns even more of a punch to the guts. And though he's undeniably a country artist, some of his tracks flirt with indie-folk, particularly this album's opening track 'Sons and Daughters'. It's one of two songs recorded in Wilson's home studio and would be just as at home in a Brunswick bar as it would in the back room of a country pub. The other track recorded at home is 'Couldn't Promise You Rain #4', which was written for the farmers suffering through drought and released earlier this year as a single. He sings, 'I promised you love, but I couldn't promise you rain,' described by Tony Bates from 3DMR as "a great line in a song full of the hardships of outback living."

 

The remaining tracks on Another Death in the Family were recorded at EOR Studio with Damian Cafarella and Lachlan Bryan, save for 'High School Sweethearts', a duet with Gretta Ziller. It was recorded at Newmarket Studios by Guus Hoevenaars and features a wonderful arrangement of strings. The songs, Wilson says, 'come from stories I've either heard or experienced myself. I wrote a few of them at the DAG songwriters retreat in Nundle, which is a pretty special place for me.'

 

Wilson's storytelling shines through on every track. Take 'Down the Mine', for example, on which Wilson sings, 'a split second, thoughtless, that moment too late; a fit of rage, the blood on your face.' It's confronting, it's emotive – it's quintessential Clint Wilson. It's the kind of penmanship that's seen Wilson play at legendary events like the Tamworth Country Music Festival and support fellow musicians including Kevin Bennett and The Flood as well as Andrew Swift.

Another Death in the Family is, above all, a poignant reflection on connection, time and relationships. And in a time of such uncertainty, a time when all these things are under the microscope, it comes when it's needed most. Wilson may have been seen as a dark horse with Dark Water, but with Another Death in the Family, he looks certain to have another success in the country scene. 

Interview with Clint Wilson

Question: How would you describe your music?

Clint Wilson: Lately I've been referring to it as 'Sad Country'. I'm not sure why but I struggle to write happy songs.


Question: Can you tell us about 'Family Tree'?

Clint Wilson: I got the idea for the song after starting a family tree myself. Something I was never interested in until I had children. All of that unknown history doesn't mean too much but is nice to know.


Question: What inspired your album 'Another Death in the Family'?

Clint Wilson: Most of the album has a Family 'vibe'. There are songs about death and love lost, things that I've experienced myself or friends of mine have gone through.


Question: What's the best way to describe the feeling when you finish an album?

Clint Wilson: During the recording of the album it was a rollercoaster of emotions and self-doubt. 'Will anyone even listen to this', 'are these songs good enough', 'are the recordings doing the stories justice', 'am I good enough'. Once it was done it felt like a weight of my shoulders.


Question: Is there a particular message you hope listeners take from your music?

Clint Wilson: A message from this album would be 'Get rid of those toxic people in your life, even if they are family' and 'Love the ones that deserve it'


Question: If you could have anyone, in the world, attend a show, who would it be?

Clint Wilson: It would be pretty awesome having Carole King at a show and a chat afterwards. 'Tapestry' is one of the best albums.


Question: What motivates you most when writing music?

Clint Wilson: Late at night is when I feel like writing songs. Ideas come to me at any time of day. And coffee, lots of coffee.


Question: What moment in your musical career stands out the most?

Clint Wilson: Not too much yet, but I took the band on a 9 hour drive all the way to Adelaide to play a show and bombed real bad. I lost my voice second song in. I can still remember watching people walk out mid song. We laugh about it now but that was tough back then.


Question: What or who was your inspiration to go into the music industry?

Clint Wilson: Paul Kelly has been a huge inspiration, the way he can tell a story through song is brilliant.


Question: Was there a moment you contemplated throwing in the towel?

Clint Wilson: So many, I think that's part of being creative.


Question: What's a typical day like?

Clint Wilson: I'm a stay at home dad so it usually starts with trying to wake the kids up, put on a load of washing, make breakfast and school lunches. Once the kids are at school a bit more cleaning then try catchup up with friends for coffee or spend some time in the home studio. Think of something everyone will eat for dinner or decide on takeaway.


Question: What has been your favourite part of becoming a music artist?

Clint Wilson: I love when people message or come up to me after a show and say they connected or can relate to a story in a song.


Question: What's next, for you?

Clint Wilson: As soon as we're allowed out a tour and some live shows.


Question: Can you share your socials? (links please)

Clint Wilson: Instagram  
YouTube  
Facebook  


Interview by Gwen van Montfort