SAN DIEGO — Whether it's a sold-out crowd or an empty venue, the most dedicated musicians give their best performance every night. In this Zevely Zone, I feature a San Diego singer-songwriter and his new album.
Equipped with a guitar, harmonica and microphone, Adam Jones is a one-man band. For the past 15 years, the San Diego born musician has played gig after gig in local bars.
"It's the best version of myself when I'm up on that stage," said Adam. The 44-year-old loves to play in front of thousands of people, but there are other nights when the bars are very quiet.
"Oh, empty bar, me and the bartenders," he laughed.
Adam grew up in a musical family. "Yeah man, that's me and my sister," said Adam while showing me pictures of his childhood where he followed in his father's footsteps. "That's me and my pop playing," he said.
During the pandemic, when performing live wasn't possible, Adam's music still didn't stop. "I built this studio," said Adam. He launched a company called Siren Collaborative that can transform the sound quality of music studios, office space and hospitals.
I asked him if having a real job meant he was growing up. "Oh, man this would be the third or fourth time I've tried," he laughed.
Adam can do all of the technical wiring, but he specializes in self-manufactured acoustic panels. "My voice sounds amazing in here," I bellowed. Adam then chimed in, "My voice sounds amazing in here too."
But not quite as good as it sounds on stage. Adam has played Thursday night solo performances at the Blarney Stone Pub in Clairemont for four years straight. "Yeah, home away from home for sure," said Adam.
His music continues to evolve and so does his look. I asked him about his thick, macho mustache. "Yeah sure, it's a facial hair situation," he said. Adam's gone from a biker beard to mutton chops, and if you're trying to put your finger on this singer-songwriter, he offers this. "If Johnny Cash, Social Distortion and The Pogues had a baby that played acoustic guitar, it's this guy," he said.
His new album titled 'Now and Then' features a song called Haiku but ask him what he's most proud of and he'll tell you a story about one of those empty bar nights.
"Probably one of the biggest compliments I ever got was that I put as much energy into that show as I did any other show when that bar was packed. Cause I love it," he said. "Cheers man."
For more information about Adam's new album, next gig and sound systems follow him at @/yellinginmicrophones on Instagram and Facebook.
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