“A mix of old-fashioned folkie signifiers and trending-topic populism, delivered in hooky snippets on social media several times weekly”
Songs of Protest, Honesty, and Power
Jesse Welles, an artist from garage rock frontman to one of today’s most urgent folk voices. With lyrics both topical and timeless, he captures the grit and soul of American protest music.
Early Influence
Born Jesse Allen Breckenridge Wells in 1992 in Ozark, Arkansas, he began playing guitar at age 11 and sold homemade CDs at school. His influences ranged from Motown and country to Nirvana and Bob Dylan, setting the stage for a career rooted in both folk storytelling and rock energy.
Previous Projects
Jeh-Sea Wells
One of his earliest solo aliases, used for DIY recordings.
Dead Indian
Formed ~2012, a heavy garage-psych rock band with Welles as frontman.
Cosmic American
A follow-up project leaning into harder rock textures.
Welles
Signed to 300 Entertainment; released Red Trees and White Trashes (2018), toured nationally, and embraced a grunge-inspired sound.
A Shift Toward Protest Folk
He’d nearly given up on music when his father had a heart attack in 2024, and he tossed caution to the wind and dropped the rock band style to adopt a more folkie sound, and began posting solo videos online for topical songs about current social issues. The sound and words have connected with a following online. This is a significant shift away from full-band rock toward raw, acoustic songwriting. Inspired by personal struggles and global events, he began “singing the news,” turning daily headlines into piercing folk anthems. His songs about healthcare, war, and inequality gained traction on social media, resonating with audiences hungry for authentic protest music.
Recent Recognition
- 🏆 John Prine Songwriter Fellowship — Newport Folk Festival (2025).
- 🎤 Free Speech Award — presented by John Fogerty at the Americana Honors & Awards.
- 📺 Late-Night TV Debut — Jimmy Kimmel Live! performance of “Horses.”
- 🎶 Farm Aid Performance — introduced by Dave Matthews, who praised him as “one of the best songwriters I’ve ever heard.”
- 🎟️ Sold-Out Tours — festivals like Newport Folk, FreshGrass, Farm Aid, and more.
“One of the best songwriters I’ve ever heard in my life.”
— Dave Matthews, Farm Aid 2024