Jakob Dylan and The Wallflowers brings their tour to Boston

“I’ve been in this business for a long time, but I’m probably enjoying it more than ever,” he adds. “If you can physically tour and enjoy doing it, what could be better?”

Apples don’t fall very far from the tree.

Bob Dylan There wouldn’t be an easy tree to grow near, let alone grow, but this is something Dylan does beautifully with The Wallflowers. Nearly 32 years after releasing their self-titled debut album and 28 years after the groundbreaking single-pack T Bone Burnett-produced 4xPlatinum record “Bringing Down the Horse,” Dylan’s Grammy-winning Wallflowers – in all their incarnations – are on the rise.

We are currently on tour with musician/freelance journalist Jeff Slate, who interviewed Bob. Wall Street Magazine In ’22 — The Wallflowers move in Wilbur in Boston November 6 and Providence’s Strand November 8.

In conversation, Dylan is a witty, lively telegram. He talks fast and jokes often. From Tom Petty to his brother’s Massachusetts days to Ken Burns, our wide-ranging conversation is filled with jokes and laughter.

So the Wallflowers’ last record was “Exit Wounds” (2021). You told me that you were “collecting songs” and that you were hoping to make a new album soon. What is your songwriting process like?

It depends. I’m looking for new ways to do this if you have any tips.

(Laughs) I don’t.

(Laughs) I don’t know. The more you try, the less you get. You have to wait for good ideas to come, and when they do, hopefully you have a pen, paper, and guitar with you. There is a lot of work. I may have overthought the whole process, but I need dedicated time to complete the songs and prepare an album.

You were the executive producer and presenter of the documentary “Echo in the Canyon” (2018). What sparked this project? Looking at Laurel Canyon’s music is almost like a Ken Burns type of binoculars. This is a big undertaking.

This is a big undertaking. When I started, I didn’t realize how big of an undertaking this could be. I thought it might take six months. It took more than three years. You start a documentary, it’s about one thing, then you gather all the information, the interviews, and suddenly it’s about something else. It’s improving. I admire anyone who does this, and Ken Burns does it consistently.

Would you work on another?

If the right opportunity arises. I have a talent for musicians: I’m not a journalist, I’m a colleague. People talk differently to their peers.

TRUE. I think you did your last interview with Tom Petty in the movie. “You sang the song”Who is the Man Walking Around My Garden?” Inspired by Tom.

That was on my mind a bit. I was able to see music up close when I was young, when it was most meaningful. You can consume music your whole life, but there’s nothing like being 15 years old.

And it was very encouraging. I wouldn’t say everyone from the old guard is necessarily encouraging. Many of them have a competitive nature, I understand that; That’s one of the reasons they keep going. Tom has been a guiding light of courage.

Interesting. You founded a band when you were 15 years old. Did you always want to get into songwriting? Have you moved away?

When I started, I was sure I would be a guitarist. I still want to be like that (laughs). We used to play cover songs when we were kids. Eventually, you realize it’s nice to have your own songs. I realized pretty early on that I at least understood how to compose a song – even if it wasn’t a great song – but I was surprised that it didn’t come naturally to everyone. I started writing because someone in the group had to do it. I’m glad I did it. Anyone can do this. This is not a difficult thing. I mean, people write good songs like different story.

(Laughs) But sometimes a songwriter says he can’t stop writing.

Did I have to? I don’t think I should. The world has many songs. I just liked it. I’m still unaware of a more natural thrill than writing a song, showing it to people, hearing it come out of the speakers. I don’t know anything that has affected me this much. You are building something from nothing that didn’t exist before. When it works, it’s deep. This is a gift to yourself.

Wallflowers’ first name was The Apples.

(Sighs) Yeah, I noticed it wasn’t a very good name.

(Laughs)

(Laughs) I don’t think we imagined the logo and name on the marquee. But yeah, that was the beginning of The Wallflowers.

You have also made solo albums. What do you like about band and solo?

I don’t know if I’ll do a solo again. I think I found a way to combine the two {different sounds I was looking for}. I thought it was a different sound I was looking for that didn’t require the noise of a rock band. I couldn’t find it. Over time I was able to fit it into what The Wallflowers were doing.

Who came up with “The Wallflowers”? A very classic, powerful band name.

To be honest, I don’t remember. It was probably me. But I feel sorry for the bands today; All of them have been named. You can’t pronounce half of it. We left.

(Laughs)

I love the classics: The Sonics, The Ventures. I don’t know how you do it today. Everything was taken. We stepped in at the end of that period.

The industry has changed a lot since the 90s. Can you start The Wallflowers today?

I don’t envy people today. I don’t know how he did this. Of course, there was no social media back then. The good news is that there are many more opportunities. The bad news is much more opportunity. It’s just clogged. I don’t know how anyone noticed over the noise.

Your children are playing music. Do they want to enter the industry?

They enjoy it. No one talked about being in the industry. I no longer know if these dreams come hand in hand. There is no registration involved. This is the travel business, the tour business, the social media business.

Your dad tweets more than you do these days.

Yeah, like most people, I can’t tell you what these are. I’ve seen these. I can’t tell you what this is about (laughs). I am not sure. But you’re right: Whatever it is, it’s more than me.

(Laughs) I know you’ve been asked this a million times, but when you were growing up, you said it didn’t seem strange to be the child of a famous man.

So I was aware that it wasn’t the same as the next person. But your reality is whatever it is. I can’t say it’s weird because I haven’t walked in anyone else’s shoes.

(Laughs) When I do an interview Cat PowerChan Marshall told me that you knew your brother Sam from his Supreme Dicks days at Hampshire College in Western Mass.

Yeah, maybe it should relieve some of my anger. He had founded a group before me. Saw some good bands there – I think Nirvana were playing in the cafeteria (in 1990).

Wow. So the Wallflowers’ first game was in ’92, but everything changed in ’96. Have you ever had a moment when you felt like you achieved this?

When you hear your song on the radio for the first time, it’s transporting. You can make CDs, cassettes, press a piece of vinyl and it’s all yours. But when the song is on the radio and other people hear it, it’s a mind-blowing moment.

Do you tour or perform with your father?

I am available. He knows how to find me.

WALL FLOWERS

At Wilbur’s, Wednesdays at 20.00, thewilbur.com

The interview has been edited and condensed. Lauren Daley can be reached at: [email protected]. tweeting @laurendaley1.