Monday, December 12th Performance in South Florida
John Wesley will be performing a short set along with Florida artists Jim Camacho, Omine, and Matthew Edrington on Monday December 12th at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts as part of the monthly Songwriters Showcase presented by Chrystal Hartigan. The show is inside the Abdo New River Room. Admission is $10 and the show begins at 7:30 pm with an open mic session before the 9 p.m. "Songwriters In The Round" begins.
Show information:
Mon. Dec. 12th, 9pm. $10 at the door Broward Center for the Performing Arts in the Abdo New River Room 201 SW 5th Avenue Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312 Riverwalk Arts & Entertainment District
Classic Rock Prog Magazine | December 2011 | by Emma Johnston
Porcupine Tree seem to be the most octopus-like band in the prog universe: their tentacles reach every nook and cranny, and barely a week goes by without another new project or collaboration coming to light. John Wesley, a Florida-based touring guitarist with Stephen Wilson’s band, is back with his seventh solo album, a poised and thoughtful collection of sleepy, soul-searching ballads stuffed with late-night contemplation.
Early in the summer I did a few shows on the West Coast, and I'm now working on assembling some YouTube videos from those shows. The first few are up -- a new song called The End, due to be a part of Disconnect, and a solo/electric version of walls of america. Check them out on my YouTube channel. I'll have more videos to come soon. There will be more videos to follow as work for Disconnect kicks into gear.
Monday, 28 November 2011 00:00 | | |
New special edition of "the lilypad suite" released on Madfish Music
Over the summer I had the chance to become a part of the Snapper Music Group family and release a special edition of the lilypad suite. The Madfish Music deal came about when they heard the lilypad suite and asked to do a special release for release in September. The Madfish edition features 2 bonus tracks (an elegant mess and free) and comes packaged in a slipcase with jewel case. It's available now online via Burning Shed, Amazon, iTunes, and at many outlets worldwide. More information can be found on the label's website http://www.madfishmusic.com/johnwesley/thelilypadsuite/
This release has paved the way for a full release of my next album (currently in production), Disconnect, in spring 2012.
Monday, 21 November 2011 00:00 | | |
Home from the Grace for Drowning Tour
A couple of weeks ago, I received word that Aziz Ibrahim, the touring guitarist in the Steve Wilson solo band, had an issue with a work visa right before the start of the planned North American tour. I was then asked to step in for the Grace for Drowning North American tour. After some serious work learning an almost two hour set, I did the first show in Orlando, then hit Baltimore, had stunning gigs in NYC, Philly, Boston at the Berklee Performing Arts Center, Montreal, Toronto, and the big finale in Chicago at the Legendary Park West. The band was a simply stunning array of musicians -- Marco Minneman (drums), Nick Beggs (bass), Theo Travis (saxophone & flute) and Adam Holzman (keyboard) -- it was an incredible set of shows.
When the call came for the gig, I was in the midst of working on the new album, Disconnect, which is now set for a spring release on Madfish Music. So now that I am home, I will get through Thanksgiving week and then resume work on finishing the recordings for the new album.
Tuesday, 14 June 2011 00:00 | | |
"a glittery nothing" acoustic video & free download!
My latest video is an acoustic version of track 3 from "the lilypad suite"... "a glittery nothing."
I've delved into the back catalog again. This time, in answer to requests for an old favorite. From the "Under the Red and White Sky" album, this is "Into the Night." Please enjoy it and share it!
You can get updates when I post new videos by subscribing to my YouTube channel... CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE.
Wednesday, 18 May 2011 00:00 | | |
John Wesley featured on TBOextra.com (Tampa Bay)
I was interviewed yesterday by Curtis Ross & Rommie Johnson for a podcast for the Tampa Tribune/TBO Extra. During the interview I did an acoustic performance of “Firelight” from “the lilypad suite”. I had a lot of fun and Curtis asked some great questions. If you have some time, check it out!
John was recently joined Brad Hirsch and Steve Humphries on Used Bin Radio to talk about his latest release, the lilypad suite. You can listen to his interview here (starting at the 1 hour marker) http://purerockradio.org/podcast/?cat=6
We have some great news! Today we would like to announce the release of the lilypad suite.
the lilypad suite is a six-song collection that was written over the last few years and recorded over the last few weeks here in Tampa at RedRoom Recorders.
Over the last few years I have been writing songs to put into my next full-length album, Disconnect which should be finished in the summer.
As I was writing the songs that would be a part of my next album, Disconnect. I noticed a consistent theme running through several of them. I assembled those songs, got the team together and decided that we would record them and release them as a separate collection. This collection has become the lilypad suite.
the lilypad suite is a collection of songs inspired by the struggle of a young girl to come to terms with the absence of her father. The character of “lilypad” is an amalgam of several people who, through the years, have shared with me the stories of their journeys from loss into understanding.
The album was produced and co-written by Dean Tidey. Dean’s experience on the London session scene and as a touring sideman for Feeder the past several years was invaluable in pushing Mark and I to try new ideas and take the songs into some amazing places. Dean also contributes a really unique set of guitar skills that fit into the songs and the live set and give even our older material a fresh and new sound.
Long time co-conspirator Mark Prator is on drums and engineered on the album as well, Mark really pushed into some new territories in his playing on this set of songs.
Joining us on bass and engineering as well is Travis Hearne. Andy Irvine also contributed bass to two tracks.
The mixing and mastering was handled by UK based Grammy winning engineer, Steven Orchard. http://www.steveorchard.com/ I can’t even begin to describe Steve’s resume, as he's worked with so many outstanding artists -- Chris Cornell, U2, Jeff Beck, Kate Bush, just to name a few. We have a common link as Steve did a good portion of engineering on the last Porcupine Tree album. Steve and Dean had worked together many times before and as we recorded the songs, Dean was able to guide us into adding elements that he knew Steve would be able to make special use of, and their years of working together really helped to take the mixing of this set of songs to a new level.
The album is available as of today for immediate download and the physical cd is available for pre-order. You can preview the tracks or purchase the album in my shop.
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Porcupine Tree seem to be the most octopus-like band in the prog universe: their tentacles reach every nook and cranny, and barely a week goes by without another new project or collaboration coming to light. John Wesley, a Florida-based touring guitarist with Stephen Wilson’s band, is back with his seventh solo album, a poised and thoughtful collection of sleepy, soul-searching ballads stuffed with late-night contemplation.
