 Courtesy: Conqueroo
The Legendary Shack Shakers front man, JD Wilkes, will release his wildly creative solo debut, Fire Dream, on February 16th. The ten track project, which features members of the Squirrel Nut Zippers, Drive-By Truckers, and The Bo-Keys, is a tapestry of styles that is unique, innovative, and artistic. In advance of the album's release, Wilkes took the time to answer his Essential 8 and talk musical mentors, songwriting, and more.
Did you have a musical mentor? If so, who was it and how did they influence you? I guess I have three mentors for each of the instruments I play live: My main harmonica influence is my grandpa who gave me my first “French harp” and showed me some folk tunes. Also, at a young age, I was fortunate enough to meet the famous blues-harpist and Muddy Waters sideman, Junior Wells, who taught me how to get the most of the instrument. My banjo guru is Mr. Lee Sexton from Linefork, KY whose style predates Bluegrass music. And my mom gave me piano lessons all growing up. But I guess that actually makes four mentors, oops! With any particular song, was there an “a-ha” moment when you knew the song was completed and perfect? It had to be when I heard the addition of horns and harmony vocals. That is usually when any tune somehow magically snaps to perfection (provided the core of the song is quality too.) What’s the story behind your album’s title? A friend of my mine was relating a vision she had while meditating on a campfire. The otherworldly aspects of nature, and the dancing shadows thrown by the flicker, also factored into the imagery I added later.
Where do you draw inspiration from when writing?
Dreams and long drives alone give me most my ideas. My mind must be in a natural, altered state, be it a dream in REM or the strange headspace prompted by the white noise of a night drive. When/where do you do your best writing? When I first wake up. It mostly seems to fall into place by the time I hit the shower. Do you write about personal experience, the experience of others, observations, made-up stories, something else or a combination? I’m known more as a chronicler of folklore and surrealist imagery, mostly of the “southern gothic” kind. But I’ve only recently delved into personal material. A divorce will do that to ya. What’s the best advice you have ever gotten from another musician? In every town you play, memorize where the cleanest bathrooms are within walking distance of the club; preferably lockable single-seaters. Rock venues are not known for a comfortable place to go. What’s the best advice to give to a musician just starting out? Suck it up and just move to Nashville. But only if you’re actually awesome. Website Purchase
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