My guest on this episode of TatD has got some stories.. and quite possibly the largest Rolodex in all of entertainment. I’m only half joking. Wesley Stace began his music career in the late 1980’s as John Wesley Harding. His 1990 Sire Records debut "Here Comes The Groom" marked the beginning of a multi-decade creative career throughout which he has toured the world, shared stages with dozens of household names (he was a rare opening act for Bruce Springsteen), written multiple books, taught creative writing and songwriting at the college level, and, since 2009, he has produced a series of live variety shows called the Cabinet of Wonders, which feature appearances by fellow musicians, authors, comics, visual artists, and more . I even had the opportunity to participate in a Cabinet back in 2024 at City Winery in New York and it was a truly lovely experience!
Now in 2026, Wesley Stace has released a new album - the sonically adventurous, classically elegant, brilliantly titled "One Last Heist."
This record is full of smart, tightly crafted songs that swing a lot more than typical singer songwriter fare. At times it's jazzy, at times Latin-eqsue, at times channeling the sensibilities of vintage Burt Bacharach. Threads of finality come through in songs like the title track, "This Knowledge Dies With Me," and "Hanging Up The Sickle," a tune that puts forth the highly entertaining premise - “What if the grim reaper were to retire?”
I met up with Wes at Honey’s Sit and Eat in Northern Liberties for a chat that turned out to be absolutely lovely - after our concerns regarding ordering via QR code were allayed. We talked about his early touring days in England and what his creative life is like now as a member of the Philly music community. Wes had enjoyed a career any working musician would envy and admire. I know I do.
Follow Wesley Stace at:
IG - @wesleystace
WesleyStace.com
Hope you enjoy this wonderful conversation!
JKF <3