Jared Kolesar developed an ear for music when he started writing poetry and playing the violin in elementary school. Now the 24-year-old is on tour with his band, Jared & The Mill, which is making a stop to its hometown at the Crescent Ballroom on Nov. 21.
The current tour is traveling to 30 cities alongside Canadian artist Alexz Johnson and Blues-roots guitarist Patrick Droney, but Kolesar says he is most excited to come home to his hometown, “the city that I love.” This isn’t the first time the band will play at the Crescent Ballroom. “[Crescent Ballroom] is a nice central location for Phoenix,” he says. “People should expect a strong feeling of community.” Concertgoers will hear fan favorites like “Breathe Me In” and “Love to be Found” from the band’s 2013 debut album, “Western Expansion.”
Since Kolesar and the other five members (Michael Carter, Larry Gast III, Chuck Morriss III, Josh Morin, Gabe Hall-Rodrigues) formed Jared & The Mill in 2011, they have continued to mature as artists. Kolesar’s favorite moments with the band include playing alongside The Killers, Flogging Molly, Joe Pug, Horse Feathers and Y La Bamba. This summer, they joined Barry Gibb for his first tour in 15 years.
After this tour, Kolesar says he’s looking forward to hitting the studio to record songs for the band’s EP, which is set to release next spring. Although Jared & The Mill’s southwestern-folk rock sound stems from music legends like Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson and other highly acclaimed artists, the new album will have a new twist. He says the band’s music will continue to surprise fans while remaining true to the band’s southwestern, modernized indie style. “It’s going to represent the youth of Arizona,” he says.
Now that the band is about halfway done with the tour, Kolesar says they’re ready to show Phoenix how their style has developed on the road. Join the Phoenix natives at one of their favorite Phoenix spots for a musical night consisting of energy, community and indie flair.
For more information on Jared & The Mill, visit http://jaredandthemill.com.
Written by Tamara Kraus
