Stephen Wilson Jr. has signed to Big Loud Records, joining a stacked roster that includes the likes of Morgan Wallen and Hardy. The Nashville-based “Death Cab for Country” artist has also inked a deal with Alicia Jones at ALJ MGMT and Jordy Dettmer at Range Media Partners for management. He remains repped by Brett Saliba and Lance Roberts at UTA.

Coinciding with the announcement is the release of Wilson Jr.’s debut EP, bon aqua. The seven-song collection compiles six previously released songs and the new single “American Gothic” featuring the song’s co-writer, Hailey Whitters. Wilson is currently on the road supporting Whitters and joins The Lone Bellow next month before performing at Bourbon and Beyond Festival and CMA Fest later this year.

“Everything starts with good water,” he explained of the EP's title. "We are made of mostly water. The world is mostly water. As a microbiologist, I used to test water for pharmaceutical companies and everything from shampoo to aspirin to pet food to anything you can think of requires water. Not just any water—good water. I was in charge of making sure the water was good. In and around Bon Aqua, Tennessee is coincidentally where I wrote and conceived most of this EP and filmed most of the videos and visual aspects hence the name. It is known for its good water and it only made sense for it to all start there.”

Wilson Jr. draws his influence from a cornucopia of acts, including The National, Willie Nelson and Nirvana. His songs have been recorded by Caitlyn Smith, Brothers Osborne, Old Dominion, Tim McGraw, MacKenzie Porter, Sixpence None the Richer and Leigh Nash. Find the EP here and tour dates on Wilson Jr.'s website.

Seen above in the photo applauding our absence is Wilson Jr. (red vest) and along with Big Loud Records, ALJ MGMT and Range Media Partners.