Jared Heller

Well, I didn't really dive into music until my Fresman year in High School, though I had loved singing for years before that. In high school, my two best friends and I just up-and-decided to learn a few instruments, which turned into, "hey, lets call ourselves a band". It was kind of interesting that nobody, mainly my parents, really took it seriously, that is until I started writing songs and practicing guitar on a daily basis. Suddenly it turned into "hmm, maybe this kid could go somewhere with this stuff". My first band "THIRDimenshon" that I was in with my friends William and Aaron held on until 2000, when I moved to Missouri. The band never really broke up. We just kind of put it on the top shelf for awhile. In Missouri, two things happened. One, I became close friends with a guy I met in college named Daniel, whom I joined in creating an acoustic duo called "Shades of Wow". Two, I recorded my first album of original songs with the help of my musician friends and my at-that-time boss, who surprised me with his knowledge of recording technique. After completing my first album titled "Growing Up Young", I moved to Denver Colorado, by invitation of my brother, and now I'm kind of turning another page. It almost feels like I'm starting over, but I don't find it daunting at all. It's almost just...a breath of fresh air to me.

I absolutely LOVE to play live whether it be acoustic or with a full band, but there's nothing like sharing the stage with good friends and good musicians.

Well, first up is definitely the Goo Goo Dolls. I can't claim to be a "true" fan of theirs, because...I define a "true" fan to be someone who either has a direct relation to the group and is influenced by what they've done or they have at least followed the group or artist from the beginning. Not the beginning of their fame, but the beginning of their road to fame. I found the Goo Goo Dolls, much like alot of people, at the beginning of their fame. Now, I did say that they are a big influence to me. This is very true. First of all, I think they had alot of courage to evolve the way they did, going from punk rock to alternative pop/rock. Also, it amazes me, the confidence John Rzeznik has to have to tune to the simplest way to play a song, but still create some of the most amazing melodies I've heard come from an acoustic guitar.

Other influences? Well, Dave Matthews would have to be up there. I've also become quite fond of Howie Day. Of course, you have to gotta love John Mayer's style, too.