We here at WOLF Radio are excited to continue the path to WOLFstock 2025 and our 15th anniversary! Earlier this week, we started strong by sitting down with M.C. Scobes.
For our second artist spotlight, we sat down with Jason Kesler of Adamson Avenue to discuss his takes on music, his origins with it, and to discuss our excitement for this WOLFstock season.
What made you want to pursue music?
Mr. Kesler discussed how his mother pushed him into music, “My mom signed me up in the church choir. So I learned to sing there.”
He also mentions how he took piano lessons from his next-door neighbor, citing his mother as an influence again.
He states that it wasn’t until college that he really began the songwriting part of his artistic journey.
We joked about how he was a bit behind his high school friends, as they had formed and joined bands at that time.
It was good to hear what a positive effect Mr. Kesler’s mother and friends had, and really how that can happen for any artist.
How long have you been a musician?
“I mean if you consider me taking piano as a musician, it’s been most of my life.”
We laughed a bit about how he might be a bit older than our audience. Though, on a serious note 40 years is an achievement when it comes to pursuing any form of artistry.
He reminisced about how long his journey has outstretched for, and it’s incredible to have talent and experience like that coming to our WOLFstock stages!
“We play because we enjoy playing music and having a crowd out there to listen to us.”
Did you expect to continue with music since you started?
“Not really. I was learning piano from about seven years old to fourteen.” He discussed how he dropped piano after developing different interests.
Yet, once that happened he made his way to marching band in high school, where he played percussion.
“Music was always a constant. Playing music and being consistent, thinking I’d be playing music for forty years is not really something I had thought of.”
Mr. Kesler discussed his experience with bands, and how every time that there has been an end to a project, he thought of his future musically, and how his interest would renew.
What is a genre that you can play with ease vs what do you have trouble with?
Mr. Kesler is a singer-songwriter, so the process really starts with chords for him.
“I sort of gravitate towards folk-country, rock, which is kind of the thing we’re doing in Adamson Avenue.” He touched on how the arrangements and rock aspects were uncomplicated.
Mr. Kesler then spoke about how the genre he would likely have a bit more of a process with would be jazz.
“One of the guys in the group that I’m in has introduced us more to jazz as a genre. He introduced an instrumental song to the band that we played as we first got started
He talked about always being interested in jazz and how his father played apart in that, as well as his experiences in marching band.
“There is so much to learn, to go off book and be able to play with that sort of improvisational style has never really been my forte.”
Which was interesting to discuss as the artists we have for this year’s WOLFstock are all so ranged in their practices of the genres they create in.
What is your Dream Artist Collaboration
Mr. Kesler answered with a band named “Wilco.”
“They’ve been around for 20-30 years themselves. I’ve enjoyed their development as a band, they seem to be able to work in a lot of different genres over time.”
He brought up how he feels like they might be able to take his material and do something unique and interesting with it.
Mr. Kesler and I laughed as he said, “If anyone from Wilco is listening, let me know!”
What is your biggest goal as a musician or just a very enjoyable aspect? (Singer-Songwriter)
“What I most enjoy is taking my songs and introducing them to my band members.”
Mr. Kesler expresses how he’ll have ideas for a song and his band turns it into something unexpected.
That fact is enjoyable for him and a reason why he enjoys playing in bands, particularly with the unique perspective.
“What you get is something I could never do myself.” The collaborative aspect is something very important to him. Like Scobes, Mr. Kesler is very vocal about wanting to learn more about different artists.
We also discussed how technology has the possibility of not needing collaboration, which we established was okay, but Mr. Kesler prefers organic collaboration.
How do you feel your experiences in music early on have translated to the music you make now?
Earlier, we had discussed that theories were never really what Mr. Kesler’s attention was drawn to. He mentioned how he had received advice from his friends to pick up a guitar and just learn chords.
That went into his discussion of things he has a bit more trouble with, like cover songs, as he feels they take more effort and study.
“My journey has been I pick something, a little bit of this and a little bit of that from my musical experiences… The less I know, the more unique aspects I can bring to a song.”
We had a laugh about the idea of “the less you know the better.”
How excited are you for WOLFstock and what is it you are most excited for?
“I’m really excited. I teach at the university, so I’ve been aware of the event for many years, so it’s cool to be in a position to be a part of the event this year.”
Mr. Kesler talked about how excited he is for his students to see a different side of him, and also how excited he is to hear some of our performers for this year!
Like with Scobes, we talked about how exciting it is to see different musicians and new kinds of artistry!
If the idea of something that cool excites you, remember to come out to WOLFstock 2025 on April 21st, so you can also help WOLF Radio celebrate our 15th year anniversary!
