Jon Wilks
@jonwilksmusic.bsky.social
Folk songs of memory, place & tradition. “Badman fingerpicking guitarist” (Carl Barât). Not on Spotify — listen on Bandcamp & Tidal.
www.jonwilks.online
www.jonwilks.online
Pinned
Jon Wilks
@jonwilksmusic.bsky.social
· Jul 11
My fifth solo album, Needless Alley, is out on September 29th. You can pre-order it on CD, digital download, or blue translucent vinyl from the link below. Here's the gorgeous canal boat art by Alex Merry.
jonwilks.bandcamp.com/album/needle...
jonwilks.bandcamp.com/album/needle...
Reposted by Jon Wilks
This fab album 'Needless Alley' from @jonwilksmusic.bsky.social arrived yesterday.
A delight to sit and enjoy Jon's brilliant songwriting and musicality while reading the lyric book and admiring the
gorgeous artwork by @alexmerryart.bsky.social
Check it out here
jonwilks.bandcamp.com/album/needle...
A delight to sit and enjoy Jon's brilliant songwriting and musicality while reading the lyric book and admiring the
gorgeous artwork by @alexmerryart.bsky.social
Check it out here
jonwilks.bandcamp.com/album/needle...
October 12, 2025 at 1:26 PM
This fab album 'Needless Alley' from @jonwilksmusic.bsky.social arrived yesterday.
A delight to sit and enjoy Jon's brilliant songwriting and musicality while reading the lyric book and admiring the
gorgeous artwork by @alexmerryart.bsky.social
Check it out here
jonwilks.bandcamp.com/album/needle...
A delight to sit and enjoy Jon's brilliant songwriting and musicality while reading the lyric book and admiring the
gorgeous artwork by @alexmerryart.bsky.social
Check it out here
jonwilks.bandcamp.com/album/needle...
I'll be doing a listening party for the Needless Alley this evening, Wed, 7:30pm, online. If you fancy it, drop me a line and I'll let you know how to get in.
October 1, 2025 at 5:04 PM
I'll be doing a listening party for the Needless Alley this evening, Wed, 7:30pm, online. If you fancy it, drop me a line and I'll let you know how to get in.
I’ve written a behind-the-scenes account of how Eliza, Campbell and I pulled together The Life and Songs of Martin Carthy at EartH Theatre on Saturday night. From half-mad ideas to Bob Dylan’s video, it’s all in here.
Behind the Scenes of The Life and Songs of Martin Carthy — Jon Wilks
A behind-the-scenes look at The Life and Songs of Martin Carthy tribute at EartH Theatre, featuring Eliza Carthy, Broadside Hacks, and a surprise video from Bob Dylan.
www.jonwilks.online
September 29, 2025 at 9:49 AM
I’ve written a behind-the-scenes account of how Eliza, Campbell and I pulled together The Life and Songs of Martin Carthy at EartH Theatre on Saturday night. From half-mad ideas to Bob Dylan’s video, it’s all in here.
Reposted by Jon Wilks
RIP Danny Thompson: bassist for Pentangle, Richard Thompson, Nick Drake, Davy Graham, Bert Jansch, June Tabor, John Martyn, Donovan …
www.clashmusic.com/news/legenda...
www.clashmusic.com/news/legenda...
Legendary Bassist Danny Thompson Has Died | News | Clash Magazine Music News, Reviews & Interviews
Legendary bass player Danny Thompson has died. The musician's passing was confirmed officially by his team a few moments ago; Danny Thompson passed away
www.clashmusic.com
September 24, 2025 at 4:43 PM
RIP Danny Thompson: bassist for Pentangle, Richard Thompson, Nick Drake, Davy Graham, Bert Jansch, June Tabor, John Martyn, Donovan …
www.clashmusic.com/news/legenda...
www.clashmusic.com/news/legenda...
I’ve written a new piece: Why Are Artists Leaving Spotify? A Guide for Listeners.
Low payouts, AI slop, Daniel Ek’s €600m weapons investment — the “Spotify exodus” is real, and listeners have choices.
Read here...
www.jonwilks.online/blog/why-art...
Low payouts, AI slop, Daniel Ek’s €600m weapons investment — the “Spotify exodus” is real, and listeners have choices.
Read here...
www.jonwilks.online/blog/why-art...
Why Are Artists Leaving Spotify? A Guide for Listeners — Jon Wilks
Artists are leaving Spotify over low payouts, AI slop, and military ties. Here’s why it matters and how you can support them elsewhere.
www.jonwilks.online
September 23, 2025 at 11:36 AM
I’ve written a new piece: Why Are Artists Leaving Spotify? A Guide for Listeners.
Low payouts, AI slop, Daniel Ek’s €600m weapons investment — the “Spotify exodus” is real, and listeners have choices.
Read here...
www.jonwilks.online/blog/why-art...
Low payouts, AI slop, Daniel Ek’s €600m weapons investment — the “Spotify exodus” is real, and listeners have choices.
Read here...
www.jonwilks.online/blog/why-art...
Reposted by Jon Wilks
But my favourite song on 'Needless Alley' is @jonwilksmusic.bsky.social 's own. 'Mine is the Sun' is richly mysterious: with landscape, brilliantly coloured, that 'asks us for nothing', a traveller, the oncoming cold. A world, as the best songs are! Highly recommended!
September 22, 2025 at 3:54 PM
But my favourite song on 'Needless Alley' is @jonwilksmusic.bsky.social 's own. 'Mine is the Sun' is richly mysterious: with landscape, brilliantly coloured, that 'asks us for nothing', a traveller, the oncoming cold. A world, as the best songs are! Highly recommended!
Reposted by Jon Wilks
The one song on 'Needless Alley' not by @jonwilksmusic.bsky.social is a cracker: 'Montagu Whaler', about a small boat which served great ships - & saved lives. Written by 'Bernie' Bruen, a sailor who knew his stretchers from his gunnels! A song of loss - with an irresistible tune!
September 22, 2025 at 3:54 PM
The one song on 'Needless Alley' not by @jonwilksmusic.bsky.social is a cracker: 'Montagu Whaler', about a small boat which served great ships - & saved lives. Written by 'Bernie' Bruen, a sailor who knew his stretchers from his gunnels! A song of loss - with an irresistible tune!
Reposted by Jon Wilks
CD Review
! @jonwilksmusic.bsky.social ' 'Needless Alley'. A joy! So much appealing 60s music, I now realise, came from the very young... But later songs can be rueful, witty & wise. Here they are..with guitar work which ranges from energetic to langorous: both lovely.
! @jonwilksmusic.bsky.social ' 'Needless Alley'. A joy! So much appealing 60s music, I now realise, came from the very young... But later songs can be rueful, witty & wise. Here they are..with guitar work which ranges from energetic to langorous: both lovely.
September 22, 2025 at 3:54 PM
CD Review
! @jonwilksmusic.bsky.social ' 'Needless Alley'. A joy! So much appealing 60s music, I now realise, came from the very young... But later songs can be rueful, witty & wise. Here they are..with guitar work which ranges from energetic to langorous: both lovely.
! @jonwilksmusic.bsky.social ' 'Needless Alley'. A joy! So much appealing 60s music, I now realise, came from the very young... But later songs can be rueful, witty & wise. Here they are..with guitar work which ranges from energetic to langorous: both lovely.
Reposted by Jon Wilks
#NowSpinning #NowPlaying #NowListening
Just wonderful.
Virtuoso guitar and a now richly venerable voice. And some breathtaking arrangements, accompanied by Sheema Mukherjee on sitar and @elizacarthy.bsky.social on fiddle and voice.
Let me swim in a jug of this.
Just wonderful.
Virtuoso guitar and a now richly venerable voice. And some breathtaking arrangements, accompanied by Sheema Mukherjee on sitar and @elizacarthy.bsky.social on fiddle and voice.
Let me swim in a jug of this.
September 18, 2025 at 10:41 AM
#NowSpinning #NowPlaying #NowListening
Just wonderful.
Virtuoso guitar and a now richly venerable voice. And some breathtaking arrangements, accompanied by Sheema Mukherjee on sitar and @elizacarthy.bsky.social on fiddle and voice.
Let me swim in a jug of this.
Just wonderful.
Virtuoso guitar and a now richly venerable voice. And some breathtaking arrangements, accompanied by Sheema Mukherjee on sitar and @elizacarthy.bsky.social on fiddle and voice.
Let me swim in a jug of this.
Reposted by Jon Wilks
BUY THIS. IT IS COMPULSORY 🥰
New album out today. Mojo says it’s “barely folk, but classy” 😂 Info here: www.jonwilks.online/blog/needles...
September 19, 2025 at 11:43 AM
BUY THIS. IT IS COMPULSORY 🥰
New album out today. Mojo says it’s “barely folk, but classy” 😂 Info here: www.jonwilks.online/blog/needles...
September 19, 2025 at 9:30 AM
New album out today. Mojo says it’s “barely folk, but classy” 😂 Info here: www.jonwilks.online/blog/needles...
Reposted by Jon Wilks
Stop selling arms to Israel then.
September 16, 2025 at 11:21 AM
Stop selling arms to Israel then.
Reposted by Jon Wilks
Really interesting piece by Jon Wilks - I’ve recently cancelled my Spotify subscription and moved platforms. While other streaming services are by no means perfect, at least my money isn’t directly funding causes I disagree with. Recommend this to any artists/listeners thinking of ditching Spotify!👇
New piece: Life After Spotify: What Musicians Lose — and What They Gain.
A field report for any musicians wrestling with leaving Spotify — the playlist trap, the illusion of “discovery,” and what you really gain by stepping away.
www.jonwilks.online/blog/life-af...
A field report for any musicians wrestling with leaving Spotify — the playlist trap, the illusion of “discovery,” and what you really gain by stepping away.
www.jonwilks.online/blog/life-af...
Life After Spotify: What Musicians Lose & Gain — Jon Wilks
A field report on leaving Spotify: the illusions of discovery, the playlist trap, and how musicians can find value and real connection elsewhere.
www.jonwilks.online
September 15, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Really interesting piece by Jon Wilks - I’ve recently cancelled my Spotify subscription and moved platforms. While other streaming services are by no means perfect, at least my money isn’t directly funding causes I disagree with. Recommend this to any artists/listeners thinking of ditching Spotify!👇
Reposted by Jon Wilks
Interesting and informative piece by @jonwilksmusic.bsky.social on why, and also, how, he took his music off Spotify
www.jonwilks.online/blog/life-af...
www.jonwilks.online/blog/life-af...
Life After Spotify: What Musicians Lose & Gain — Jon Wilks
A field report on leaving Spotify: the illusions of discovery, the playlist trap, and how musicians can find value and real connection elsewhere.
www.jonwilks.online
September 15, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Interesting and informative piece by @jonwilksmusic.bsky.social on why, and also, how, he took his music off Spotify
www.jonwilks.online/blog/life-af...
www.jonwilks.online/blog/life-af...
Woooot!
Not everything is absolutely awful today. Thanks, @jonwilksmusic.bsky.social !
September 15, 2025 at 11:13 AM
Woooot!
Reposted by Jon Wilks
Fascists aren’t welcome in our streets.
Not today. Not tomorrow. Not ever.
Not today. Not tomorrow. Not ever.
September 13, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Fascists aren’t welcome in our streets.
Not today. Not tomorrow. Not ever.
Not today. Not tomorrow. Not ever.
New piece: Life After Spotify: What Musicians Lose — and What They Gain.
A field report for any musicians wrestling with leaving Spotify — the playlist trap, the illusion of “discovery,” and what you really gain by stepping away.
www.jonwilks.online/blog/life-af...
A field report for any musicians wrestling with leaving Spotify — the playlist trap, the illusion of “discovery,” and what you really gain by stepping away.
www.jonwilks.online/blog/life-af...
Life After Spotify: What Musicians Lose & Gain — Jon Wilks
A field report on leaving Spotify: the illusions of discovery, the playlist trap, and how musicians can find value and real connection elsewhere.
www.jonwilks.online
September 14, 2025 at 11:29 AM
New piece: Life After Spotify: What Musicians Lose — and What They Gain.
A field report for any musicians wrestling with leaving Spotify — the playlist trap, the illusion of “discovery,” and what you really gain by stepping away.
www.jonwilks.online/blog/life-af...
A field report for any musicians wrestling with leaving Spotify — the playlist trap, the illusion of “discovery,” and what you really gain by stepping away.
www.jonwilks.online/blog/life-af...
Reposted by Jon Wilks
Where is Keir Starmer? Where is the leadership?
Fascists marched on our streets yesterday and he hasn’t said a single word.
Instead the Prime Minister spends his time defending the “best pals” of paedophiles.
He is a coward. He should resign.
Fascists marched on our streets yesterday and he hasn’t said a single word.
Instead the Prime Minister spends his time defending the “best pals” of paedophiles.
He is a coward. He should resign.
September 14, 2025 at 10:23 AM
Where is Keir Starmer? Where is the leadership?
Fascists marched on our streets yesterday and he hasn’t said a single word.
Instead the Prime Minister spends his time defending the “best pals” of paedophiles.
He is a coward. He should resign.
Fascists marched on our streets yesterday and he hasn’t said a single word.
Instead the Prime Minister spends his time defending the “best pals” of paedophiles.
He is a coward. He should resign.
Reposted by Jon Wilks
Charlie Kirk was not a “free speech activist” and any outlet that tells you he was is lying to you. He wanted unlimited freedom for himself and as little as possible for the people he hated, ie anyone who wasn’t a white male conservative. His values were trash
September 11, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Charlie Kirk was not a “free speech activist” and any outlet that tells you he was is lying to you. He wanted unlimited freedom for himself and as little as possible for the people he hated, ie anyone who wasn’t a white male conservative. His values were trash
Congrats to me ol' mucker Martin Carthy on his nomination for the frickin MERCURY PRIZE!!!!
#dontcallhimalegend
#dontcallhimalegend
September 10, 2025 at 11:58 AM
Congrats to me ol' mucker Martin Carthy on his nomination for the frickin MERCURY PRIZE!!!!
#dontcallhimalegend
#dontcallhimalegend
Reposted by Jon Wilks
Absolutely DELIGHTED to tell you that #thedaddy has been nominated for this year’s MERCURY PRIZE!!!!!!
About time, Dad! You total BELTER!
🐟🐟🐟👑👑👑🕺🏻🕺🏻🕺🏻🌟🌟🌟
Congratulations team: Ben Seal, Liz, Chris Salt, Kairen Kemp, Jon Wilks, Tim Youster and Dan Macdonald!
#transformmethenintoafish
About time, Dad! You total BELTER!
🐟🐟🐟👑👑👑🕺🏻🕺🏻🕺🏻🌟🌟🌟
Congratulations team: Ben Seal, Liz, Chris Salt, Kairen Kemp, Jon Wilks, Tim Youster and Dan Macdonald!
#transformmethenintoafish
September 10, 2025 at 10:32 AM
Absolutely DELIGHTED to tell you that #thedaddy has been nominated for this year’s MERCURY PRIZE!!!!!!
About time, Dad! You total BELTER!
🐟🐟🐟👑👑👑🕺🏻🕺🏻🕺🏻🌟🌟🌟
Congratulations team: Ben Seal, Liz, Chris Salt, Kairen Kemp, Jon Wilks, Tim Youster and Dan Macdonald!
#transformmethenintoafish
About time, Dad! You total BELTER!
🐟🐟🐟👑👑👑🕺🏻🕺🏻🕺🏻🌟🌟🌟
Congratulations team: Ben Seal, Liz, Chris Salt, Kairen Kemp, Jon Wilks, Tim Youster and Dan Macdonald!
#transformmethenintoafish
Reposted by Jon Wilks
Jon Wilks's Needless Alley is described as a patchwork of memories and marks a more autobiographical approach to his writing after previous trad folk-inclined material. These songs from his mental attic are definitely worth exploring. klofmag.com/2025/09/jon-...
Jon Wilks – Needless Alley (Album Review)
Songs from his mental attic, Jon Wilks says, Needless Alley is definitely somewhere well worth exploring, and, as a guitarist, he fully deserves his place alongside names such as Jansch, Carthy and Si...
klofmag.com
September 9, 2025 at 10:51 AM
Jon Wilks's Needless Alley is described as a patchwork of memories and marks a more autobiographical approach to his writing after previous trad folk-inclined material. These songs from his mental attic are definitely worth exploring. klofmag.com/2025/09/jon-...
My old friend Rasheed has opened Brighton’s first LGBTQ+-centred record shop, Dream Street Records. A welcoming space that champions queer musicians and artists, it’s already becoming a community hub. Give it a follow and spread the word: www.instagram.com/dreamstreetb...
September 1, 2025 at 11:21 AM
My old friend Rasheed has opened Brighton’s first LGBTQ+-centred record shop, Dream Street Records. A welcoming space that champions queer musicians and artists, it’s already becoming a community hub. Give it a follow and spread the word: www.instagram.com/dreamstreetb...
Reposted by Jon Wilks
Folk musician Jon Wilks is releasing his fifth album, Needless Alley, on September 19th. Ahead of the release of his third single tomorrow, watch the video for the catchy "Montagu Whaler". klofmag.com/2025/08/watc... @jonwilksmusic.bsky.social
Watch: Jon Wilks – Montagu Whaler
Folk musician Jon Wilks is releasing his fifth album, Needless Alley, on September 19th (Grizzly Folk Records). Watch the accompanying video for his third single, Montagu Whaler, the only non-original...
klofmag.com
August 28, 2025 at 8:52 AM
Folk musician Jon Wilks is releasing his fifth album, Needless Alley, on September 19th. Ahead of the release of his third single tomorrow, watch the video for the catchy "Montagu Whaler". klofmag.com/2025/08/watc... @jonwilksmusic.bsky.social