December 6th, 2016
Wilder Adkins, a Birmingham, Alabama-based folk musician, discovered that he was a NewSong finalist at a friend’s house in Cambridge, England. “I had just played a show at a 900-year-old church when I heard,” says Adkins. “So, suffice to say, it was a great bit of news to cap off a great evening.”
Adkin’s songwriting is steeped in earthy poetry and is imbued with a theosophical spirit. Thematically, his songs frequently touch upon faith, doubt and the natural world. He counts poets Wendell Berry and Mary Oliver among his influences, as well as Neil Young and Van Morrison. His aptly titled latest album, Hope and Sorrow, is a characteristic marrying of poetry and musicality.
We took the time to ask Adkins about his songwriting inspiration, career news and his hopes for the NewSong competition.
What is your songwriting process like, and where do you find inspiration?
Generally, I write about things that move me. Usually, the music comes first, but not always. Oftentimes it takes a while for a song to grow on me — even my own songs. In terms of musicians that inspire me, I love Van Morrison’s Astral Weeks. It’s one of my favorite albums. Recently, I played at a folk festival in Scotland hosted by another of my songwriting heroes, Dougie MacLean.
What does it mean to you to be a NewSong finalist, and what do you hope to gain from the experience?
It can be pretty hard for folk musicians to get attention these days, so it is really wonderful to receive that kind of recognition for my work. I’d love to connect with the NewSong family of artists and hopefully make plans for future shows and collaborations.
What music news do you have to share with fans?
I put out a new album called Hope & Sorrow in 2016. I’ve also got an album of pirate music hopefully coming out soon.
To learn more about Wilder Atkins, visit wilderatkins.bandcamp.com and follow Wilder Music on Facebook and Twitter. You can also listen to his music on SoundCloud.
