Local music: Dan Wilson

-- Jamie Christianson

Minnesota has nurtured a multitude of entertainers; many most of us are unaware of. When you ask the Minneapolis populace who comes to mind when naming off homegrown famous people, typical answers are Bob Dylan, Prince, and Bob Dylan. Unknown to many, there is a prominent gentleman who lives right under our noses—smack dab in the heart of Minneapolis. He has a Grammy award, 2 million albums sold worldwide and a newly debuted solo album under his belt. And he doesn’t go by the name of Prince (or the symbol, for that matter) or Bob Dylan. His name may not even ring a bell. He’s Dan Wilson; a former lead singer of the indie rock band, Semisonic. You know, that song that plays incessantly at the end of the night when you’re leaving the bar or sports game, “Closing Time?” It’s the fixture that’s meant to give visitors the hint that it’s time to go home. Yeah, he sings that one.

But the work that he’s accomplished single-handedly and with the band over the past decade is immense and reaches beyond that famed song. Semisonic was formed in 1995 by Wilson, naturally, and two other Minneapolis natives and friends, John Munson and Jacob Schlichter. Their first EP, Pleasure, was released that year. But it wasn’t until three years later that Semisonic had their major breakthrough. Their sophomore album, Feeling Strangely Fine, which includes the classics “Closing Time” and “Secret Smile,” was what yielded the band into major stardom and landed them a Grammy nomination.

Semisonic only waited a couple of years to follow up that album with All About Chemistry, which fared well, but didn’t land the same success. However, many of their songs were featured on soundtracks such as 2001’s “Summer Catch.” It was during that time that Semisonic journeyed the world, touring in and around the UK. What was meant to be only indie rock underground music transcended into the caliber of legendary music.

Wilson not only has talent as a musician, but possesses credentials as a songwriter as well. The majority of the songs written for Semisonic’s three albums were penned by Wilson. As the others members of Semisonic hung low following the worldwide tours and endless promotions, Wilson took some time to write music for others. Most namely and most recently, Wilson co-authored six of the songs on the Dixie Chicks’ Taking the Long Way Home. This achievement resulted in an Album-of-the-Year Grammy award. He is now in demand as a collaborator more than ever, even producing two albums for local musician Mike Doughty; and the inspiration doesn’t stop there.

This past October, Wilson’s first solo debut was released and received rave reviews. Many of these compositions have been featured on television programs. The compilation can be described as melodic, beautiful and light; music you want to hear when you wake up, music you want to hear when you go to bed, and most fittingly, music you want to hear when you’re in love. Wilson is firmly planted in his Minneapolis roots. He enjoys shopping at the Electric Fetus, scouring the city, and when downtime is given, he enjoys performing at his two favorite venues, First Avenue and the 400 Bar.