Jon Wilks

Jon Wilks is an English writer, folk singer, and guitarist, known for his work in the traditional folk music scene. He has gained recognition for his authentic interpretations of traditional English folk songs, as well as his own original compositions.

Early Life and Career

Jon was born in Solihull in January 1977. His father was a lecturer in Shakespearean studies, and his work meant that the family occasionally lived abroad. Jon lived in Nigeria from the age of six months to three years old, and Saudi Arabia from eight to 13. While in Saudi Arabia, he attended the Continental School, Jeddah. He returned to Solihull in 1990, where he attended Alderbrook Comprehensive School and Solihull Sixth Form College. Jon's paternal grandparents met at Cecil Sharp House where they were involved in community dancing. His grandfather was a member of the Beaux of London City morris dancing side.

His love for folk music really developed whilst at Bangor University, where he learned how to fingerpick in the style of his heroes, Nick Drake, Bert Jansch, and Martin Carthy. He played weekly gigs at the Greek Taverna in Upper Bangor, where he often received a pint of beer, a packet of cigarettes, and a plate of potatoes for his performances.

After completing his studies, Jon Wilks moved to Japan in 1999, where he became a teacher for a brief period before transitioning to writing and editing. He worked as a magazine editor for Japanzine, and eventually became the editor of Time Out Abu Dhabi and then the Editorial Director of Time Out Tokyo. In recent years, he has worked as a content strategist for many companies, including the British Museum. In 2016, he became a co-founder of the company, REAL Kombucha, and in 2021 he launched the website, Tradfolk.co. As a freelance journalist, he has written for publications including The Guardian, Time Out, Dazed & Confused and The Japan Times.

Music Career

He was a member of Cut Flowers, an indie band based in Fukuoka, Japan, between 2003 and 2007, during which time they released one album called "Early Recordings" (2005) and an EP called "You Come Around" (2007). It was only after leaving Cut Flowers that Jon delved back into his interest in traditional folk music, often playing old English folk songs to Japanese audiences.

He formed the Grizzly Folk duo with Jon Nice in Fukuoka, Japan, in 2007, and the pair performed together for many years, releasing several albums and EPs, including "Gurning at the Moon" (2014), "Lairy Thru the Town" (2015), "Leftovers" (2018), and "The Best of the Grizzly Folk" (2019), and the EPs "Baibaba Bimba" (2016) and "Tape Machine" (2020).

In 2017, Jon Wilks released his debut solo album, "Songs from the Attic," which was met with critical acclaim for its stripped-down, authentic sound and Wilks' skillful guitar playing. He went on to release two more solo albums, "Midlife" (2018) and "Up the Cut" (2021), showcasing his range as an arranger and performer. He also released a solo EP called "The Trial of Bill Burn Under Martin's Act" (2019). His upcoming solo album, "Before I Knew What Had Begun I Had Already Lost," is scheduled for release in May 2023.

Wilks has collaborated with other musicians and artists, including Jackie Oates, Lukas Drinkwater, and Katherine Priddy. In autumn 2023, he will tour with his musical hero, Martin Carthy.

During the pandemic, Wilks formed the briefly-lived quartet, Slow Jane, with Katherine Priddy, inviting Jon Nice and Lukas Drinkwater to take part. Together they recorded covers of three Nick Drake songs and released them, along with videos, as a way to pass the time and entertain other people stuck in lockdown. Wilks and Priddy said they chose Nick Drake's songs because they both grew up equidistant to Nick Drake's birthplace, Tanworth-in-Arden and were both influenced by his music in their formative years. The two collaborated once again in late 2020 on a recording of the broadside ballad, "Mary Ashford's Tragedy", which Wilks researched, arranged and composed a tune for before inviting Priddy to provide the vocals.

In addition to his music career, Jon Wilks is an accomplished writer and researcher. He has written extensively on English folk music and culture, and has contributed articles and reviews to publications such as the EFDSS Magazine. He also produces and hosts the Old Songs Podcast, sponsored by EFDSS.

Personal Life

Jon Wilks currently lives in Hampshire, England, with his wife and two children.

Discography

Solo Albums:

• Songs from the Attic (Album) (2017)
• Midlife (Album) (2018)
• The Trial of Bill Burn Under Martin's Act (EP) (2019)
• Mary Ashford's Tragedy (Single with Katherine Priddy) (2020)
• Up the Cut (Album) (2021)
• Before I Knew What Had Begun I Had Already Lost (Album) (2023)

With Cut Flowers:

• Early Recordings (Album) (2005)
• You Come Around (EP) (2007)

With Grizzly Folk:

• Gurning at the Moon (Album) (2014)
• Lairy Thru the Town (Album) (2015)
• Baibaba Bimba (EP) (2016)
• Leftovers (Album) (2018)
• The Best of the Grizzly Folk (Album) (2019)
• Tape Machine (EP) (2020)

With Slow Jane:

• Northern Sky (Single) (2020)
• River Man (Single) (2020)
• Fly (Single) (2021)

Contributions:

• Gracious Wings (Album by Jackie Oates) (2022)