Micah P. Hinson
Encyclopedia
Micah Paul Hinson is an American americana singer and guitarist and recording artist for Sketchbook Records in the United Kingdom and Jade Tree Records
in the United States. His debut album Micah P. Hinson and the Gospel of Progress was released in 2004 to much critical praise. He has also released two EP
s; one of early material (2005's The Baby and the Satellite) and the second as The Late Cord with John Mark Lapham of The Earlies
(2006 release Lights from the Wheelhouse). The follow-up to his debut, Micah P. Hinson and the Opera Circuit
, was released in 2006 and his third album, Micah P. Hinson and the Red Empire Orchestra on July 14, 2008.
and shortly afterwards moved with his family to West Virginia
while his father completed his PhD. When Hinson was four years old his family settled in Abilene, Texas
where his father had secured a professorship at Abilene Christian University
. Early in Hinson's childhood his parents would listen to Neil Diamond
and John Denver
records and instruments such as a dulcimer and his grandmother's piano were ever-present in the house. Hinson's father bought him his first guitar when he was around 11-years-old so that Hinson could perform in a fifth grade talent show. However, it was the influence of his older brother that really sparked Hinson's desire for music. Both the brothers owned guitars and Hinson's older brother quickly became proficient on the instrument, sparking a friendly rivalry. He began his first efforts at making music around age 12 and as he entered his teenage years he began to listen to his brother's Ministry
and The Cure
records. By the end of high school Hinson's tastes had expanded and he felt drawn to the sounds of Sonic Youth
and Dinosaur Jr., as well as more popular bands like Nirvana
.
He felt constrained by the smallness of his hometown, Abilene, and found escape in skateboarding, drugs and playing guitar. Around this period, Hinson met, later member of The Earlies
, John Mark Lapham. Around this period Hinson had been declared bankrupt, was homeless and had drug dependencies. However he resolved to change things, later stating that he "had gotten away from some of the shady women and all of this a year or two before [his record deal in 2003]". Hinson found employment, saved up some money and moved to Denton, Texas
, beginning a college course there.
and, British
-based label, Sketchbook Records. However neither company offered the young singer-songwriter a contract. Lapham remained convinced of Hinson's quality and continued to promote his work, slipping a demo of Hinson's "The Possibilities" into the running order of his BBC Radio
set. Sketchbook records signed Hinson two weeks later; a year and a half after the company's initial rejection of the artist.
In the winter of 2003, Hinson recorded his debut album, Micah P. Hinson and the Gospel of Progress, produced and arranged by The Earlies
under their Names On Records guise. Hinson felt involved during the recording of the album, later stating that he recorded his guitar and piano while everyone else did all the work. The music press made much of Hinson's prescription drug use at the time; claims Hinson later stated were exaggerated.
Inspired by positive reviews and finishing his first full album, Hinson set about re-recording his demo of The Baby and the Satellite. The results of the new sessions of the material were released as an EP
in early 2005 with a European tour in support of the material. Hinson encountered trouble with his back after a mishap whilst celebrating Burns night
in his hometown in early 2005. Hinson was playfully punched in the small of his back by a friend, causing back pain that was unalleviated by surgery. This caused problems with the singer's touring schedule and many dates were cancelled.
In 2005 Hinson recorded a cover of "Yard of Blonde Girls
" for the tribute album Dream Brother: The Songs of Tim and Jeff Buckley
. He also helped produce the record. In July 2006, Hinson formed The Late Cord with John Mark Lapham of the Earlies. Their five track E.P, Lights from the Wheelhouse was released on the 4AD
record label.
, in 2006.
Micah P. Hinson and the Red Empire Orchestra, Hinson's third album, was released on July 14, 2008, and a tour in support of the album was announced. A live acoustic version of "As You Can See" was recorded at The Fly In The Courtyard sessions in September 2009. A new album, Micah P. Hinson and The Pioneer Sabouteurs was released in May 2010.
in Islington London. She said yes.
The couple married in 2008. Both Hinson and Gregory are of partial Native American ancestry. Hinson describes himself as "a firm supporter of the American Dream", which he considers Barack Obama
to be "the murderer" of. He is opposed to nationalised healthcare, and the buyouts of banks and car companies seen during the recession of the late 2000s.
Jade Tree Records
Jade Tree International, Inc. was an independent record label formed by Darren Walters and Tim Owen in August 1991, out of Wilmington, Delaware....
in the United States. His debut album Micah P. Hinson and the Gospel of Progress was released in 2004 to much critical praise. He has also released two EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
s; one of early material (2005's The Baby and the Satellite) and the second as The Late Cord with John Mark Lapham of The Earlies
The Earlies
The Earlies are a band formed by Christian Madden and Giles Hatton from Lancashire, England, and Brandon Carr and John Mark Lapham from the United States...
(2006 release Lights from the Wheelhouse). The follow-up to his debut, Micah P. Hinson and the Opera Circuit
Micah P. Hinson and the Opera Circuit
Micah P. Hinson and the Opera Circuit is an album by Micah P. Hinson, released in 2006.-Track listing:# "Seems Almost Impossible" – 3:40# "Diggin a Grave" – 2:07# "Jackeyed" – 3:45# "It's Been So Long" – 3:02...
, was released in 2006 and his third album, Micah P. Hinson and the Red Empire Orchestra on July 14, 2008.
Early years
Hinson was born in Memphis, TennesseeMemphis, Tennessee
Memphis is a city in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Tennessee, and the county seat of Shelby County. The city is located on the 4th Chickasaw Bluff, south of the confluence of the Wolf and Mississippi rivers....
and shortly afterwards moved with his family to West Virginia
West Virginia
West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the northeast and Maryland to the east...
while his father completed his PhD. When Hinson was four years old his family settled in Abilene, Texas
Abilene, Texas
Abilene is a city in Taylor and Jones counties in west central Texas. The population was 117,063 at the 2010 census. It is the principal city of the Abilene Metropolitan Statistical Area, which had a 2006 estimated population of 158,063. It is the county seat of Taylor County...
where his father had secured a professorship at Abilene Christian University
Abilene Christian University
Abilene Christian University is a private university located in Abilene, Texas, affiliated with Churches of Christ. ACU was founded in 1906, as Childers Classical Institute...
. Early in Hinson's childhood his parents would listen to Neil Diamond
Neil Diamond
Neil Leslie Diamond is an American singer-songwriter with a career spanning over five decades from the 1960s until the present....
and John Denver
John Denver
Henry John Deutschendorf, Jr. , known professionally as John Denver, was an American singer/songwriter, activist, and humanitarian. After growing up in numerous locations with his military family, Denver began his music career in folk music groups in the late 1960s. His greatest commercial success...
records and instruments such as a dulcimer and his grandmother's piano were ever-present in the house. Hinson's father bought him his first guitar when he was around 11-years-old so that Hinson could perform in a fifth grade talent show. However, it was the influence of his older brother that really sparked Hinson's desire for music. Both the brothers owned guitars and Hinson's older brother quickly became proficient on the instrument, sparking a friendly rivalry. He began his first efforts at making music around age 12 and as he entered his teenage years he began to listen to his brother's Ministry
Ministry (band)
Ministry is an American industrial metal band founded by lead singer Al Jourgensen in 1981. Originally a synthpop outfit, Ministry changed its style to industrial metal in the late 1980s. Ministry found mainstream success in the early 1990s with its most successful album Psalm 69: The Way to...
and The Cure
The Cure
The Cure are an English rock band formed in Crawley, West Sussex in 1976. The band has experienced several line-up changes, with frontman, vocalist, guitarist and principal songwriter Robert Smith being the only constant member...
records. By the end of high school Hinson's tastes had expanded and he felt drawn to the sounds of Sonic Youth
Sonic Youth
Sonic Youth is an American alternative rock band from New York City, formed in 1981. The current lineup consists of Thurston Moore , Kim Gordon , Lee Ranaldo , Steve Shelley , and Mark Ibold .In their early career, Sonic Youth was associated with the No Wave art and music scene in New York City...
and Dinosaur Jr., as well as more popular bands like Nirvana
Nirvana (band)
Nirvana was an American rock band that was formed by singer/guitarist Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic in Aberdeen, Washington in 1987...
.
He felt constrained by the smallness of his hometown, Abilene, and found escape in skateboarding, drugs and playing guitar. Around this period, Hinson met, later member of The Earlies
The Earlies
The Earlies are a band formed by Christian Madden and Giles Hatton from Lancashire, England, and Brandon Carr and John Mark Lapham from the United States...
, John Mark Lapham. Around this period Hinson had been declared bankrupt, was homeless and had drug dependencies. However he resolved to change things, later stating that he "had gotten away from some of the shady women and all of this a year or two before [his record deal in 2003]". Hinson found employment, saved up some money and moved to Denton, Texas
Denton, Texas
The city of Denton is the county seat of Denton County, Texas in the United States. Its population was 119,454 according to the 2010 U.S. Census, making it the eleventh largest city in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex...
, beginning a college course there.
The Baby and the Satellite
Hinson had recorded his first full demo of material, titled The Baby and the Satellite, around 2000 and Lapham offered to sign Hinson to his label on the strength of the recording. Lapham began jointly promoting The Earlies and Hinson, sending a copy of his demo along with every copy of The Earlies' material. Lapham's efforts proved fruitful as the demo garnered interest from Rough Trade RecordsRough Trade Records
Rough Trade Records is an independent record label based in London. It was formed in 1978 by Geoff Travis who had opened a record store off Ladbroke Grove...
and, British
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
-based label, Sketchbook Records. However neither company offered the young singer-songwriter a contract. Lapham remained convinced of Hinson's quality and continued to promote his work, slipping a demo of Hinson's "The Possibilities" into the running order of his BBC Radio
BBC Radio
BBC Radio is a service of the British Broadcasting Corporation which has operated in the United Kingdom under the terms of a Royal Charter since 1927. For a history of BBC radio prior to 1927 see British Broadcasting Company...
set. Sketchbook records signed Hinson two weeks later; a year and a half after the company's initial rejection of the artist.
In the winter of 2003, Hinson recorded his debut album, Micah P. Hinson and the Gospel of Progress, produced and arranged by The Earlies
The Earlies
The Earlies are a band formed by Christian Madden and Giles Hatton from Lancashire, England, and Brandon Carr and John Mark Lapham from the United States...
under their Names On Records guise. Hinson felt involved during the recording of the album, later stating that he recorded his guitar and piano while everyone else did all the work. The music press made much of Hinson's prescription drug use at the time; claims Hinson later stated were exaggerated.
Inspired by positive reviews and finishing his first full album, Hinson set about re-recording his demo of The Baby and the Satellite. The results of the new sessions of the material were released as an EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
in early 2005 with a European tour in support of the material. Hinson encountered trouble with his back after a mishap whilst celebrating Burns night
Burns supper
A Burns supper is a celebration of the life and poetry of the poet Robert Burns, author of many Scots poems. The suppers are normally held on or near the poet's birthday, 25 January, sometimes also known as Robert Burns Day or Burns Night , although they may in principle be held at any time of the...
in his hometown in early 2005. Hinson was playfully punched in the small of his back by a friend, causing back pain that was unalleviated by surgery. This caused problems with the singer's touring schedule and many dates were cancelled.
In 2005 Hinson recorded a cover of "Yard of Blonde Girls
Yard of Blonde Girls
"Yard of Blonde Girls" is a song written by sisters Audrey Clark of the Boston band the 360s and Lori Kramer of the Paper Squares, who were performing together in the late nineties as Pendulum Floors. Inger Lorre contributed additional lyrics on the second verse, which were written about...
" for the tribute album Dream Brother: The Songs of Tim and Jeff Buckley
Dream Brother: The Songs of Tim and Jeff Buckley
Dream Brother: The Songs of Tim and Jeff Buckley is a studio album performed by various artists in tribute to 1960s musician Tim Buckley, and his son, also a musician, Jeff Buckley...
. He also helped produce the record. In July 2006, Hinson formed The Late Cord with John Mark Lapham of the Earlies. Their five track E.P, Lights from the Wheelhouse was released on the 4AD
4AD
4AD is a British independent record label that was started in 1979 by Ivo Watts-Russell and Peter Kent, funded by Beggars Banquet Records, and is still active today...
record label.
Follow up albums
Hinson released his second album, Micah P. Hinson and the Opera CircuitMicah P. Hinson and the Opera Circuit
Micah P. Hinson and the Opera Circuit is an album by Micah P. Hinson, released in 2006.-Track listing:# "Seems Almost Impossible" – 3:40# "Diggin a Grave" – 2:07# "Jackeyed" – 3:45# "It's Been So Long" – 3:02...
, in 2006.
Micah P. Hinson and the Red Empire Orchestra, Hinson's third album, was released on July 14, 2008, and a tour in support of the album was announced. A live acoustic version of "As You Can See" was recorded at The Fly In The Courtyard sessions in September 2009. A new album, Micah P. Hinson and The Pioneer Sabouteurs was released in May 2010.
Personal life
On the December 8, 2007, Hinson proposed to Ashley Bryn Gregory at the end of a concert at the Union ChapelUnion Chapel, Islington
The Union Chapel is a Grade II* listed church and music venue in Islington, North London, England, located on Compton Terrace.An example of Victorian gothic architecture, it was designed by James Cubitt, and constructed between 1874 and 1877, with further additions 1877-90, providing an ambitious...
in Islington London. She said yes.
The couple married in 2008. Both Hinson and Gregory are of partial Native American ancestry. Hinson describes himself as "a firm supporter of the American Dream", which he considers Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
to be "the murderer" of. He is opposed to nationalised healthcare, and the buyouts of banks and car companies seen during the recession of the late 2000s.
Discography
| Year | Album | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Micah P. Hinson and the Gospel of Progress | Sketchbook Records UK; Overcoat Recordings Overcoat Recordings Overcoat Recordings is an American record label specializing in alt country and indie rock music. It is based out of Chicago, Illinois, and its owner is Howard Greynolds, who was formerly an employee of Thrill Jockey.... US |
| 2005 | The Baby and the Satellite | Sketchbook Records UK; Jade Tree Records Jade Tree Records Jade Tree International, Inc. was an independent record label formed by Darren Walters and Tim Owen in August 1991, out of Wilmington, Delaware.... US |
| 2006 | Micah P. Hinson and the Opera Circuit Micah P. Hinson and the Opera Circuit Micah P. Hinson and the Opera Circuit is an album by Micah P. Hinson, released in 2006.-Track listing:# "Seems Almost Impossible" – 3:40# "Diggin a Grave" – 2:07# "Jackeyed" – 3:45# "It's Been So Long" – 3:02... |
Sketchbook Records UK; Jade Tree Records US |
| 2008 | Micah P. Hinson and the Red Empire Orchestra | Full Time Hobby UK; |
| 2009 | All Dressed Up and Smelling of Strangers | Full Time Hobby UK; |
| 2010 | Micah P. Hinson and the Pioneer Saboteurs | Full Time Hobby UK; |
External links
- www.micahphinson.com official website