Greater Cambridge Area
I am Stephen C. Wilson, a UK-based songwriter, artist and archival specialist working across contemporary music creation and historically important catalogue projects. I am the founding member and principal songwriter of the Cambridge duo Sound Menagerie, releasing work via my own label Monochrome Chair Records. I am registered with PRS, Musicians’ Union, and the Ivors Academy, and Monochrome Chair Records is registered with the BPI. Alongside my creative output, I have extensive experience in music archiving, audio restoration and compilation, with particular strengths in source research, extraction mixing, restoration strategy and project coordination. My work focuses on respecting original intent while bringing clarity and coherence to complex or compromised legacy recordings. I was the compiler and project manager of the critically acclaimed 5CD Mark Wirtz anthology Dream Dream Dream, overseeing archival research, tape and source evaluation, restoration and extraction decision-making, mastering coordination, annotation, and end-to-end delivery of a major catalogue release. The project required close attention to historical accuracy, audio integrity and rights-sensitive production. Across both my creative and archival work, I bring a musician’s ear, a curator’s discipline and a producer’s sense of responsibility - ensuring that recordings, whether new or historic, are presented with care, context and intent.
Sound Menagerie are an Alternative/Dream Pop band from Cambridge, UK. They are Abi Parker (Vocals) and songwriter Stephen C Wilson (Bass/Guitars). In 2011 they issued their 'Far Or Through' album.This was followed later in the year by 'The Silver Tree' single which featured guest guitarist Glenn Johansson of Echobelly/Calm of Zero. In 2012 Sound Menagerie contributed a music list for a book 'Music for the End of the World' by Michael Linford. In 2015 the new album "Clocks & Towers" was released featuring drums by Andy Ramsay (Stereolab/Europa 51) and keyboards and piano by Joe Watson (Stereolab/Junior Electronics). 'Watermark' also features a lead guitar solo by Rowan Robertson (Dio/DC4/Vast/AMRadio/Billy Ray Cyrus). The album was recorded at Press Play Studio in London, One Cat also in London and Zoo Audio in Cambridge. It was mastered by Pete Maher.