News

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.

At The Lilypad Suite’s simplest, such as on the wearily glum opener An Elegant Mess, Wesley mixes the worldly ennui of Porcupine Tree of Pink Floyd with a radio-friendly singer-songwriter style. If that sounds like everything you buy this magazine to avoid, don’t panic, because there’s an underlying strangeness at play that quite beguiling. At times, he shares a vocal warmth with Craig B from much-missed Scottish post-rockers Aereogramme and, in Free and Walls of America, a deeply pessimistic and claustrophobic view of life and relationships. A Glittery Nothing, meanwhile, lurches queasily on a sinister melody that leaves you distinctly uneasy. As the nights draw in, this is the perfect album to cozy up to and embrace the dark nights of the soul.

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.

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.

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.

“a glittery nothing” acoustic video & free download!

My latest video is an acoustic version of track 3 from “the lilypad suite”… “a glittery nothing.”

This track is available as a free mp3 download here: http://noisetrade.com/johnwesleymusic … and, of course, feel free to share it!