Joe (WILKINS) is a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and producer. Living on Boston’s North Shore, Wilkins writes, records and performs continuously in the Greater Boston area and beyond. Listening to and absorbing everything from Afrobeat to Zydeco – Wilkins’ songwriting and sounds are eclectic and varied – Americana, Bluegrass, Folk, and Gypsy Jazz are all styles that influence The Wilkins Noise. Performances vary from full band with electric guitar – to intimate, acoustic gigs, often accompanied by accordion, mandolin and stand up bass. Wilkins enjoys collaborating and performing with a large group of musicians hailing from all around the north east – Geoff Goodhue, Ryan Goodhue, Luke Conlin, and Dennis Monagle are a few names that you’ll find repeatedly working, writing and performing with Wilkins.

At a young age Wilkins’ Uncle would send him cassette tapes of strange sounds and instruments. These tapes would end up being the catalyst for a lifetime of musical creation. Starting on drums and percussion, Wilkins picked up the guitar at about 15 years old and has been playing ever since. Recording and touring in Pop, Afrobeat, Folk, Rock, and Fusion/Funk bands – Wilkins is a seasoned player in many genres and is adept at Electric Guitar as well as Finger-style and flat-pick Acoustic Guitar. He also plays Bass Guitar, Drum Set, Lap Steel Guitar, Ukulele and Oud.

Wilkins’ influences are numerous – but some artists continue to inspire his songwriting and singing such as Thom Yorke and Radiohead, The Grateful Dead, Led Zeppelin, Joni Mitchell, Greg Brown, Ryan Adams, Paul Simon and Rufus Wainwright as well as other more obscure folk artists like Will Oldham (Bonnie “Prince” Billy), and the UK’s Scott Matthews.

From eclectic acoustic originals to classic rock standards – Wilkins and his band (The Wilkins Noise) does it all and are a good pick for a night of upbeat and soulful music spanning many styles.