Micah Paul Hinson (born 1981)[1] is an American indie rock 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.[2][3][4] He has also released two EPs; 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.
Early years
Hinson was born in Memphis, Tennessee 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.[5] 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.[1] However, it was the influence of his older brother that really sparked Hinson's desire for music.[5] Both the brothers owned guitars and Hinson's older brother quickly became proficient on the instrument, sparking a friendly rivalry.[1] 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.[5]
He felt constrained by the smallness of his hometown, Abilene, and found escape in skateboarding, drugs and playing guitar.[5] 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.[5][6] 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]".[7] Hinson found employment, saved up some money and moved to Denton, Texas, 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.[6] Lapham began jointly promoting The Earlies and Hinson, sending a copy of his demo along with every copy of The Earlies' material.[6] Lapham's efforts proved fruitful as the demo garnered interest from Rough Trade Records 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.[6]
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.[8] 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.[6] The music press made much of Hinson's prescription drug use at the time;[1] claims Hinson later stated were exaggerated.[8]
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.[8] Hinson encountered trouble with his back after a mishap whilst celebrating Burns night in his hometown in early 2005.[citation needed] 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.[1]
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.[5] Their five track E.P, Lights from the Wheelhouse was released on the 4AD record label.
Follow up albums
Hinson released his second album, Micah P. Hinson and the Opera Circuit, 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 Chapel in Islington London. She said yes.[10]
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
DiscographyYear Album Label 2004 Micah P. Hinson and the Gospel of Progress Sketchbook Records UK; Overcoat Recordings US 2005 The Baby and the Satellite Sketchbook Records UK;[8] Jade Tree Records US[12] 2006 Micah P. Hinson and the Opera Circuit 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;
