His music is musty with a hint of back wood twang, but Jon Bartel’s smokey lyrics create a foot-tapping melody. Once he starts singing, listeners are transported to an older time. He will be opening for songwriter David Olney Friday at the San Luis Obispo City/County Library.
Bartel is a local guy who was raised in Atascadero, lived in Santa Barbara and now resides in San Luis Obispo with his wife, Paige. His wife also sings back up vocals on his EP, “Bones & Blood.”
Bartel has colorful tattoos on his arms – one of Christ’s hand holding a nautical star and another of his family’s brand (his grandparents were once cattle ranchers and both he and his wife bear the symbol). On his inner wrist is inked “10155” for the date he married Paige.
“I had it tattooed on me because I am a carpenter by trade, and I can’t wear my wedding ring when I work for fear of it getting caught in a machine,” Bartel, 27, said.
By night, Bartel is an English graduate student working to complete his master’s degree, along with his wife, who is completing her master’s in education. Bartel also gets up in front of strangers and pours his soul out in his music.
“My lyrics are about figuring out how to live when you feel dead in a place of consumerism and not engendering life. Some songs are about love and other’s not at all,” he said.
His influences include Willie Nelson, Hank Williams, Woody Guthrie, Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash. He loves the ballads of old-time America style music, and Bartel feels like these music styles are being lost.
“I feel like it’s my responsibility to keep these songs alive, and I often get together with friends and we have jam sessions in that genre,” Bartel said. “My favorite songs are those that come out of a personal connection but not in a sappy way.”
Bartel has been playing the piano since he was seven and picked up a guitar at 12. He also enjoys playing the harmonica and mandolin, and he is learning how to play the banjo.
While he has never been on tour, he has played at several venues on the Central Coast and wants to continue bringing his music to people.
“I enjoy interacting with the audiences, and the stage is a place where I can voice my opinions and say what I want to say, (since) I am normally shy with expressing myself,” Bartel said. “Playing shows isn’t about the money, but I would like to travel.”
Steve Keys, who runs the booking for the Clubhouse, approached Bartel about opening Friday for songwriter David Olney. Bartel is excited to be a part of the show and said his music fits with Olney’s.
The two will play at 8 p.m. Friday at the San Luis Obispo City/County Library. A $15 donation is requested.