Micah P. Hinson

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.[6] Early in Hinson's childhood his parents would listen to Neil Diamond and John Denver records and instruments such as a little Disney keyboard,[7] 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.[2] However, it was the influence of his older brother that really sparked Hinson's desire for music.[6] Both the brothers owned guitars and Hinson's older brother quickly became proficient on the instrument, sparking a friendly rivalry.[2] 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, wolf parade and Dinosaur Jr., as well as more popular bands like Nirvana.[6]

He felt constrained by the smallness of his hometown, Abilene, and found escape in skateboarding, drugs and playing guitar.[6] 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.[6][8] 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]".[9] Hinson found employment, saved up some money and moved to Denton, Texas, beginning a college course there.[6]

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.[8] Lapham began jointly promoting The Earlies and Hinson, sending a copy of his demo along with every copy of The Earlies' material.[8] 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.[8]

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.[10] 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.[8] The music press made much of Hinson's prescription drug use at the time;[2] claims Hinson later stated were exaggerated.[10] Hinson also explained that that album was "kind of a greatest hits" from the songs he wrote during his teenage years, being the only time he chose between a vast number of songs.[7]

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.[10] 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.[2]

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.[6] Their five track E.P, Lights from the Wheelhouse was released on the 4AD record label.

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.[2][11] A new album, Micah P. Hinson and The Pioneer Sabouteurs was released in May 2010. In December 2013, Hinson released a 7" Christmas album, Wishing for a Christmas Miracle with the Micah P. Hinson Family. The album was released via the Yellow Bird Project, with all profits benefiting a children's home in Keller, Texas.[12]

On December 8, 2007, Hinson proposed to Ashley Bryn Gregory at the end of a concert at the Union Chapel in Islington London.[13] They were married in 2008 and have three children. Hinson and Gregory are both of partial Native American ancestry. The two later divorced. As of 2023, Hinson splits his time between Madrid and Denton, Texas, where he visits his children.[14]

During a tour in Catalonia in Summer 2011, Hinson was seriously injured in a crash when the band's van overturned. He initially continued performing but singing only, without playing instruments. After extensive treatment and physiotherapy he regained use of both his arms and returned to playing.[15][16]

Although he has always played a similar music genre, Hinson had claimed that he has never thought ahead about what genre of music he wanted to play.[7]