‘My parents had what we call a shotgun wedding. They were just kids doing the best they could’: Stephen Wilson Jr on grief, hymns and resilience

After quitting his gig as a research scientist and releasing his first song aged 40, Stephen Wilson Jr has established himself as one of the most intriguing, and talented, country music newcomers in years. He speaks with Roisin O’Connor about the loss that inspired his astonishing debut album‘søn of dad’, his blue-collar upbringing, and the boxing lessons that taught him how to take a hit... and to make one, too