Wheelwright’s Jared Kolesar says he has settled into his sound, after helming Jared & the Mill for 10 years.
“I found this cool, alt-country space that feels right for me,” said singer/acoustic guitarist Kolesar. “I think as a songwriter, I’ve hit my stride. Finding that groove and being able to chase it has been great.”
Kolesar is bringing this sound to Hotel Café as part of Lucas Flood’s weekly Not Another Showcase at Hotel Café on Tuesday, Jan. 7.
“This has been a really great year for me, just where everything has landed,” he said. “To be honest, it’s been great to watching my songs do as well as they have been. I’ve been on this creative journey finding my sound.”
Kolesar transitioned from Jared & the Mill to Wheelwright in 2021. He admitted it was a challenge.
“There are always growing pains starting a new project,” he said. “This is no exception.”
Wheelwright is releasing a slew of singles that will eventually be compiled into an album, with two to three new tracks.
At Hotel Café, he will perform a 15-minute set, playing three to four of the tunes he is particularly excited about. The Phoenix resident said he hopes this will lead to continued opportunities in LA. Wheelwright has played other venues around the city, particularly with Sydney Sprague, another Phoenix artist.
“I’ve just been bobbing around, playing where I can,” he said. “I’ve played a couple house shows. I love the house show vibe, rocking for new people. I was really encouraged by the last show I had. It’s nice to have people out there singing my songs with me.”
Kolesar grew up in Scottsdale, Arizona, a fifth-generation Arizona rancher. He affectionately carries a beige hat that’s a replica of one owned by his grandfather.
“I wanted to be the crocodile hunter when I was a kid,” Kolesar said. “I have videos of me catching rattlesnakes and climbing all over the place and chasing coyotes around.
“After a little while, I wanted to be a doctor, a human mechanic, and learn what makes people work, in a physical sense. I always thought it would be really cool to be a doctor. I have the constitution for it, I think, and the aptitude. I love helping people and making things better and making things work.”
After graduating from Chaparral High School in Scottsdale, he headed to Arizona State University and quickly learned he didn’t have the constitution to study as hard as he needed.
“I directed myself to the idea of working my way into the business world, maybe being an entrepreneur, owning a restaurant or hotel — something in hospitality.
“I really clicked with marketing and advertising. I focused my schooling on that.”
When he finished university, he decided he would give music a shot. Kolesar didn’t think it would go far, let alone pay the bills.
“By our third show, people were excited to see us and knew our songs,” Kolesar said. “That was crazy. I thought we might as well see where this goes. I never intended for this to be a thing, until it was already a thing.”