Jon Wilks

Lauded by Folk Radio (KLOF) as ‘a rather special performer with an authentic and abiding love of traditional song’, Jon is a prominent fingerpicking guitarist and singer who performs traditional English folk songs and broadside ballads, as well as his own songs. His talent has been recognised by Guitarist, one of the world’s biggest guitar magazines, which featured him as one-to-watch in July 2022.

‘Very much part of the UK’s living folk tradition, Wilks excels at reanimating broadside ballads and antique pieces with a scholar’s ear for vernacular and a dashing sense of verve on fingerpicked guitar…. Wilks also showcases a trio of original compositions, at his eloquent best on poetic Soho encounter Greek Street.’ Uncut Magazine 7/10

With his background as a former editor of Time Out magazine and contributor to Dazed & Confused, The Guardian and other publications, Jon has a keen eye and ear for storytelling. During his live shows, he mixes entertaining folk song performances with fascinating tidbits about the original singers and collectors that he has unearthed during his extensive research on traditional folk music in the UK. Aside from being a talented musician and performer, Jon is also the founder and editor of Tradfolk.co, a website dedicated to the traditional music and ritualistic culture of England. Additionally, he is the presenter of The Old Songs Podcast.

VIDEOS

Traditional songs: Johnny Sands, Lofty Tall Ship, Tune: Gallons of Brandy, Original song: Greek Street

MUSIC

Jon has released four solo albums and one solo EP

Before I Knew What Had Begun I Had Already Lost (2023),  Up the Cut (2021),  The Trial of Bill Burn Under Martin’s Act (2019) EP, Midlife (2018),  Songs from the Attic (2016)

He co-arranged and performed tracks on Jackie Oates’s Gracious Wings 2022 album and was a part of Slow Jane, the quartet that created videos of Nick Drake songs during lockdown.

REVIEWS

‘Sublime songwriting. Wilks is a rather special performer with an authentic and abiding love of traditional song. His enthusiasm for its history, and sheer joy at new discoveries, is palpably irresistible. Above all, it is a bloody good listen.’ Folk Radio

‘Jon Wilks’s Up the Cut explores the fascinating history of Birmingham street balladry, a thriving 19th-century industry, through simple, deeply affecting voice-and-guitar settings. The Lover’s Ghost and Stowaway are especially beautiful, delicate with love and loss.’ Jude Rogers, The Guardian

‘Up The Cut is a beautiful album. Affecting, simple guitar, exquisitely accompanied by Wilks’ authentic, honest voice.’ Folk Radio

‘Another terrific, suitably spit and sawdust collection of traditional folk songs, many dusted down and rescued from obscurity and given a suitably robust Wilks treatment. Glorious.’ Folking.com

‘Jon’s passion informs his live shows, the songs liberally sprinkled with anecdotes, humour and history, his singing and personality hugely engaging. The sort of performer folk circles mean when they talk of the living tradition.’ Folking.com