At long last, Jonathan Wilson is releasing a new album. We’re still kicking ourselves for missing out on his last headlining gig in New York City. That was three years ago during a tour in support to his stellar sophomore solo release Fanfare. Now, he’s flying high over his new record, Rare Birds, which is scheduled to drop March 2nd via Bella Union. He’s also mapped out a tour that has him playing at Music Hall of Williamsburg on March 7. Tickets for the show go on sale to the general public tomorrow.

Born and bred in North Carolina, the multi-instrumentalist, and much sought-after producer has worked with the likes of Father John Misty (Pure Comedy, I Love You, Honeybear, Fear Fun), Karen Elson (Double Roses), Conor Oberst (Upside Down Mountain), and Bonnie “Prince” Billy (Bonnie & Mariee), and has been influential in reviving the music scene in his adopted home of Laurel Canyon. His first official solo effort, Gentle Spirit (2011), was a divine collection of finely crafted folk-rock hymns. Fanfare was a much bigger affair. Inspired by the 70s, the record was a celebration of sound and included contributions from Graham Nash, David Crosby and Father John Misty.

For his third solo outing for Bella Union, Wilson has crafted a “maximalist” record that is more influenced by 80s British production. The album features appearances by Father John Misty, Lucius, Lana Del Rey, and New Age music legend Laraaji, and mostly consists of songs written about a failed relationship. However, Wilson doesn’t consider it to be a concept album. Of it, he says “it’s meant more as a healing affair, a rejuvenation, a reconciliation, for others, and for me. I wanted to balance personal narrative with the need I feel for calming, healing music. I think we need journeys in sound, psychedelic gossamer-winged music, to incite hope, positivity, longing, reckless abandon and regret. It’s all in there.”

Rare Birds, which was produced by Jonathan Wilson and engineered by Dave Cerminara at Wilson’s own Fivestarstudios in Echo Park, Los Angeles, is also influenced by Roger Waters and takes some psychedelic turns. Wilson worked with Waters on Is This The Life We Really Want? and has recently been part of the Pink Floyd legend’s touring band, serving as a guitarist and vocalist.

With the announcement of Rare Birds, Wilson shared a trippy video for album track “Over the Midnight”. Directed and edited by Andrea Nakhla, the video, which you can watch below, features animation by Render Fruit aka Clara Luzian. According to Wilson, the song is about a sacred place for lovers to exist.

Between tour dates with Waters, Wilson is shoehorning in some headlining gigs in support of the new record. You can find out his tour schedule below, as well as check out the tracklist for the new the album.

Jonathan Wilson Headline Shows In Full:
12-21 Los Angeles, CA – Moroccan Lounge *SOLD OUT*
12-22 Los Angeles, CA – Moroccan Lounge *SOLD OUT*
12-23 Los Angeles, CA – Moroccan Lounge *SOLD OUT*
03-02 Chicago, IL – Lincoln Hall
03-03 Detroit, MI – Third Man
03-05 Toronto, ON – The Great Hall
03-07 New York, NY – Music Hall of Williamsburg
03-08 Washington, DC – Rock and Roll Hotel
03-09 Philadelphia, PA – Boot & Saddle
03-10 Boston, MA – The Sinclair
03-14 Glasgow, UK – Oran Mor
03-15 Dublin, IE – Whelans
03-16 Leeds, UK – Burdened Social Club
03-17 Brighton, UK – Concorde 2
03-19 London, UK – Omeara
03-20 London, UK – Omeara
03-21 Paris, FR – Point Ephémère
03-24 Amsterdam, NL – Melkweg
03-25 Brussels, BE – AB Club
03-27 Cologne, DE – Stadtgarten
03-28 Berlin, DE – Privatclub
03-29 Hamburg, DE – Nochtspicher
03-31 Copenhagen, DK – Little Vega Hall
04-01 Stockholm, SWE – Bryggarsalen
04-03 Oslo, NO – Parkteatret

Tracklist for Rare Birds:
1. Trafalgar Square ^
2. Me
3. Over The Midnight
4. There’s A Light ^
5. Sunset Boulevard
6. Rarebirds ^
7. 49 Hair Flips *
8. Miriam Montague
9. Loving You +
10. Living With Myself #
11. Hard To Get Over
12. Hi Ho The Righteous
13. Mulholland Queen

^ backing vocals by Lucius
* backing vocals by Josh Tillman/Father John Misty
+ backing vocals by Laraaji
# backing vocals by Lana Del Rey