Stephen Wilson Jr. is a singer-songwriter from rural Southern Indiana who blends indie rock, grunge and country influences to create a unique sound that he calls “Death Cab For Country”. He grew up listening to music legends like Willie Nelson, Roy Orbison, John Mellencamp and Nirvana, and learned to play guitar by himself. He also inherited his father’s passion for boxing and competed as a Golden Gloves finalist in Indiana.
Wilson moved to Nashville to pursue a degree in microbiology at MTSU, where he joined an indie rock band called AutoVaughn as the lead guitarist and backup vocalist. He toured the world with the band for five years, but then decided to focus on his songwriting and singing skills. He worked as a scientist at Mars for several years, until he signed a publishing deal with BMG Nashville in 2016. His songs were recorded by artists like Caitlyn Smith, Brothers Osborne, Old Dominion, MacKenzie Porter, Sixpence None the Richer and Leigh Nash, who later became his wife.
Wilson released several songs of his own, including “the devil”, “Year To Be Young 1994”, “The Beginning”, “Holler From The Holler” and “billy”, which earned him critical acclaim and recognition from Billboard. He also won six independent film festival awards for the music video of “Holler From The Holler”. He signed with Big Loud Records in 2023, and released his debut EP bon aqua, which featured the single “American Gothic” with Hailey Whitters. He has performed with artists like Brothers Osborne, Midland, Cadillac Three and The Lone Bellow, and has appeared at festivals like Bourbon and Beyond, FairWell, CMA Fest, Black Deer and Highways. He is currently touring with his double album søn of dad, which showcases his diverse musical influences and personal stories.
