Former scientist and boxer Stephen Wilson Jr. found alt-country sound after the passing of his father

Stephen Wilson Jr., previously a scientist and boxer, says the death of his father became the catalyst for his breakout record, “Son of Dad.” Raised by a single father in Seymour, Indiana, he shares hometown roots with heartland rocker John Mellencamp and later pursued a degree and worked as a microbiologist and food scientist. Wilson’s music blends distorted, alt-rock–leaning guitars with a grit-filled vocal delivery, a sound shaped by his exposure to the Seattle scene and bands such as Soundgarden and Nirvana. He began writing after his father’s passing, drawing on the idea of a cornerman’s unwavering belief through the final bell. Released in 2023, “Son of Dad” has led to wider attention, including songs like “I’m A Song,” “Grief is Only Love,” and “Year to Be Young 1994.” He will next perform at Northern Quest Resort and Casino on Friday night. He also cites a boat-trailer accident that severed two tendons in his left hand, forcing him to pause guitar for about a year and later relearn it.