A little bit country, a little bit rock with a smidge of emo thrown in for good measure. If you like your music foot tapping and interesting, then you need to check out Stephen Wilson Jr, who’s heading to Beyon Al Dana Amphitheatre in December.

With the world and his wife (and yes, us too) desperate to secure tickets for Metallica’s upcoming sold-out gig, this one seems to have flown under the radar a bit. But a little YouTube digging reveals that this guy is well worth a listen.

With a lifelong passion for poetry and music, ignited by long, country music-filled school bus rides in rural Southern Indiana, the musician initially joined an indie band but then took a job in the research and development department of Mars’ food-science lab.

But, the lure of music was still strong and in between a rapid rise on the corporate ladder, he was still scribbling songs until a conversation with is boss – both a supporter and mentor – dangled the possibility of ‘golden handcuffs’ tying him to a desk for life.

Terrified at the prospect of financial comfort at the cost of his soul, three weeks later, he resigned to pursue a career in songwriting.

He’s described his music as ‘Death Cab For Country’ – a great recommendation if ever there was one. And his influences range from The National, Willie Nelson and John Mellencamp to Nirvana.

Stephen Wilson Jr has a new EP coming out at the end of September and we can’t wait to hear him perform it and some of his classics, right here in Bahrain.

Tickets are available at platinumlist.net

GO: Visit stephenwilsonjr.com or follow @beyon_aldana for more information.