Tales of Home, Folklore, & “Fire Dreams” with J.D. Wilkes

February 19, 2018
2 mins read
Photo by Joshua Black Wilkins

Fire Dream Out Now! Interview with J.D Wilkes

Everyone loves a good story. From “Once upon a time” to the ups and downs of a character’s journey to the either tragic ending or happily ever after, what makes a good story is the way the author or creator executes the tale. Whether it be a story of folklore or of the everyday person, each of us has as story to tell. Today, one of the most interesting storytellers of our time J.D. Wilkes is releasing a solo album titled “Fire Dream” and making a stop at Jacksonville’s Jack Rabbits next Saturday February 24th for a high impact acoustic performance. J.D was kind enough to shed some light on the inspiration for the album, talk about the love for his home and how it coveys into his music, and shaking up the performance vibes for one of his favorite mediums of expression.

When listening the J.D’s new and dynamic album, “Fire Dream” the sound was like nothing I’d ever heard before. Songs like title track “Fire Dream,””Hoboes Are My Heroes,” “Moon Bottle,” and “Walk Between Raindrops” are enticing and unconventional with beautiful bluegrass beats to genius dramatic lyrics that will captivate the you from play until the album comes to an end. Though a jack of all trades, J.D. exceeds way beyond the challenge of combining his fascination for traditional folklore and history touching on unwholesome events, while delving into more personal material to express emotion stemmed from events in his own life. The result is spectacular, poetic, and unique.

Photo by Joshua Black Wilkins

J.D is no stranger to Jacksonville and has even played the stage at Jack Rabbits. However, this time around, his performance will be distinctive from any of his previous shows. He’s giving his performance a “different treatment” for the solo album as he’s going from Rock-A-Billy band to an acoustic remedy with a low key a more intimate setting. J.D. tells me “The dynamic has totally changed from being a big Rock-A-Billy band on stage down to one microphone with me, my banjo, and my bass player. So It’s really different!”

Feeling homesick pretty much a given when it comes to living life on the road constantly. But, it’s J.D’s love and longing for home that has also contributed greatly to his music and gift of storytelling. He explains that while growing up there was always this lack of feeling a real sense of place since he was being uprooted time and time again. When the time came for the dust to settle, he ventured back to the one place that always made him feel at home, Kentucky. Naturally, the sense of missing home comes tumbling back when on the road. But, rather than dwelling in the melancholy of being homesick, J.D. took to his creative side and got to writing.  He reveals to me “The irony is that I wrote the whole album while feeling homesick on the road in the back of a van. I am just so fascinated with the romance, mysticism, and timeless quality of Kentucky. I love to not only bring it into my music but, is something I really miss when I am on the road. The album is like my Valentine to Kentucky.”

Embracing the plot twists and crazy narratives of life, J.D Wilkes’ solo album “Fire Dream” is a bold and poetic journey that reminds us there is no place like home, it can be exciting to change things up creatively, and there is no magic like that of a great story.

For tickets to the show:

Previous Story

DUAL CRITICS REVIEW: AIDA at Jacksonville University

Next Story

DUAL CRITICS REVIEW: The Walls at 5 & Dime

Latest from Feature

Nancy Wilson: Still Rocking, Still Writing, Still Raising Hell

By Teresa Spencer In a world where music icons are too often frozen in amber, Nancy Wilson remains in motion writing, playing, evolving. And when you speak with her, it’s clear the Hall of Famer hasn’t just survived rock and roll. She’s still breathing fire into it. At

Florida Theatre Ball: All that and a bag of chips

Words by Kerry Speckman The Florida Theatre held its signature fundraising gala last month, and can I just say what a ball it was. Held at the historic Downtown theater, the event was a ’90s-themed party with hundreds of guests donning their splashiest track suits, loudest graphic tees

Loud, Fast and Lifted: Lifted Riffs 

Words by Carmen Macri  “It wasn’t always the dream, you know, I didn’t always want to be a punk or a rockstar, it’s just something that kind of happened through life.”  Jacksonville’s music scene might seem like a thing of the past — if you’re not paying attention.

Are We Losing the 24-Hour City?

Words by Kaili Cochran When COVID hit, everything changed. It felt like the world shut down. Businesses ran on limited hours and most people started working remotely. But even five years after the pandemic ended, some changes haven’t gone away.  One of the most significant shifts is the

Nightlife Tech

Words by Kaili Cochran What does it mean to go out when the dance floor might be virtual, the music silent and your wristband reflects your mood in real time? Nightlife is constantly evolving and so are the ways we socialize and spend our time. Earlier this year
July 5th Cleanup
GoUp

Don't Miss

Jack Rabbits Live — Cheers to 25 Years of a Local Music Dynasty

Words by Briana Pereira  Jack Rabbits, a concert

Stripped Down and Evolved, Pete Yorn Returns to Florida

YOU & ME SOLO ACOUSTIC TOUR Pete Yorn has built