Jared Bond is an independent artist based in Kansas City, whose music blends introspective songwriting with a catchy indie-rock edge. Rooted in the raw emotion of the Midwest’s DIY scene, his sound evokes the melodic craftsmanship of guitar driven rock, filtered through a modern, self-aware lens. With singles like “Gross,” “Sugar Rush,” and the reflective new track, “Love and Reason,” Jared Bond continues to explore themes of growth, self-acceptance, and the human struggle to stay grounded in a complicated world. His work is marked by honest, reflective lyrics, cinematic arrangements, and a balance of grit and grace that resonates deeply with listeners.
With “Love and Reason” out now, we took some time to hear from Jared Bond. Read below to learn more about Jared Bond, the story behind “Love and Reason,” and what’s to come.
Hi Jared Bond! Let’s start with how did you get your artist name?
It’s just my name—Jared Bond. I spent a long time trying to come up with a ‘band name’ before releasing my first singles, but nothing ever felt quite right. When it came time to distribute the music, I realized that I wasn’t supposed to fight it. My songs come from me trying to figure things out in real time, so it felt right to just stand behind my own name.
Some of the contenders were Melk, Titmouse, Tornado, Sleeper, and Chumpion. Fun ideas, but not exactly what I wanted to build a legacy around. Maybe I’ll use one for a side project someday.
What city are you from, and where are you based now?
I was born and raised in the Kansas City area, and I still call it home. There’s a real creative heartbeat here—artists and musicians who genuinely care about what they make. The city is brimming with talent, and has a surprisingly robust creative culture. KC has a way of shaping you quietly, without you even realizing it.
At what point in your life did you decide to pursue a career in music? How did you get started?
Well, technically music isn’t my career—I’m an ICU nurse by trade—but music has always been a huge part of my life since I was a child. From 2006 to 2009, I toured as the drummer for Josephine Collective, which was this wild, beautiful fever dream of festivals, arenas, and major-label chaos. It was an incredible experience, but eventually the wheels came off.
After that, I settled back in Kansas City, got married, started a family, and became a nurse—on purpose. Nursing gives me the flexibility to create while providing stability for my wife and kids. Over the years I’ve drummed in several projects and fronted a band called The Tornadoes, which was a big step toward finding my voice as a songwriter. My solo work really began when I realized I had things to say that didn’t fit neatly anywhere else.
How would you describe your sound to readers who may not be familiar with you?
Catchy indie rock with teeth. It lives somewhere between melodic guitar-driven rock and modern alternative. I love crafting hooks that pull people in, but I want the lyrics to make you think a little too. I look to write songs that are thought provoking, self-aware, and reflective of the strange times we live in.
Do you have any hobbies outside of music? What do you do to stay creative?
Oh man, I have too many hobbies. Let’s see—soccer, hiking, camping, skateboarding, woodworking (I make bows and arrows), Dungeons & Dragons and miniature painting, and a weird little tabletop soccer game called Subbuteo.
When I get into something, I go deep. Those passions help balance me out. Nursing can be heavy—life and death heavy—so these interests keep me grounded and remind me how amazing it is just to be alive. Creativity usually sneaks up on me when I’m not trying too hard to find it.
Who are some of your main musical influences?
Growing up in Kansas City, I was lucky to witness an incredible indie movement firsthand—bands like The Get Up Kids, The Anniversary, and The Appleseed Cast were all local legends. That scene made me believe I could actually chase my dreams.
Beyond KC, I’m drawn to cerebral lyricists—mewithoutYou, Bright Eyes, Jim James, Bob Dylan—writers who build worlds and challenge ideas. I think my music sits somewhere between the punch of early Midwest indie and the poetry of those big thinkers.
What’s one of the proudest moments of your music career so far?
Honestly, right now. This year feels like the culmination of everything I’ve learned. I’ve stumbled into songs I’m genuinely proud of, and I’m surrounded by collaborators who bring out the best in me. It finally feels sustainable—like I’ve figured out how to keep the wheels on while still growing as a songwriter, performer, and musician.
What would you say are the greatest lessons that you’ve learned so far?
That art gets better the moment you stop trying to control it. Collaboration works best when you come in with open hands. I see creativity as discovery, not invention—the less you grip it, the more it reveals itself.
Also, patience. Every part of the process—writing, recording, releasing—moves slower than your excitement wants it to. And you can’t stop starting new things. Even if one project gets bottlenecked in mixing or mastering, keep planting seeds. That’s how the garden stays alive.
Now onto your release, ‘Love and Reason.’ What inspired this song?
It actually started with a podcast—Making Sense with Sam Harris. He said something like, ‘You’re on the right path if you’re motivated by love and guided by reason.’ That phrase resonated with me, and I immediately knew I wanted to write around that idea.
I realized I’d been writing a lot from a cynical worldview and didn’t want to get trapped in that. I wanted to create something rooted in compassion and clarity—a sort of emotional reset. That phrase became my compass for the whole song.
What is ‘Love and Reason’ about?
It’s about self-acceptance and contentment while wandering. Change is terrifying—even when it’s good—and it somehow gets harder as you age. The song is me reminding myself that it’s okay to evolve, to be a work in progress, and to still believe I’m a good person.
What was the creative process like when making ‘Love and Reason?’
Like most of my songs, it started with me and an acoustic guitar. I brought it to David Bennett, who immediately started layering these lush harmonies and a wandering guitar line that gave the song its soul.
I played drums and, for the first time, tracked the bass myself. That was a fun challenge—trying to think like a bassist instead of a drummer. David brought out the best in me, both creatively and technically, and his gear definitely made the process feel luxurious.
Anytime we started to overthink something, I’d remind us what the song was about: finding peace even when you feel lost. The guitar part David built captured that perfectly—it’s spontaneous, patternless, and somehow exactly where it needs to be.
How long did it take to complete ‘Love and Reason?’
I wrote it in January 2025 and sat on it until the summer. Once I brought it to David, everything came together quickly—two studio sessions, a few weeks of remote mixing, and it was done.
That’s lightning speed for me, considering I’m juggling ICU shifts, two young kids (7 and 5), and trying to be a good husband to my wife, Rachel. The whole process felt smooth and natural, like the song already knew what it wanted to be.
What is your favorite lyric in ‘Love and Reason,’ and why?
The bridge:
‘No you’re not lost / You’re just making your own path / You’re not far from home / If you are, where you’re at.’
It’s deceptively simple, almost circular, but it reminds me to stay present—to accept that wherever I am in life is where I’m supposed to be.
What message or messages do you hope fans take away from ‘Love and Reason’ and your music in general?
With ‘Love and Reason,’ I hope it soothes people. I hope it reminds them to show a little more grace to themselves—and by extension, to others.
A lot of my earlier songs are sharper, more critical of society. I write about things like greed, division, and the general chaos of modern life. But that all comes from a place of care—I want us to pay attention to where we’re headed. Music helps me process that madness and make sense of my place in it.
What’s next for you? Are you working on any upcoming projects, or do you have any upcoming shows that we should be on the lookout for?
I’m in a creative streak right now, writing constantly and sketching ideas for a full-length record when the timing’s right. I just played a packed show at The Ship in Kansas City, and it was incredible—friends, family, and familiar faces everywhere.
I’ll play more shows if they feel right, and I’d love to open for some bigger touring acts coming through KC. Beyond that, my main goal is to keep creating. I want to stay focused on doing the work for the sake of the work.
Where can we follow you on social media?
Instagram: @jaredbondmusic
Spotify: Jared Bond
Apple Music: Jared Bond
Bandcamp: Bandcamp.com/jaredbondmusic
YouTube: JaredBondMusic
Thank you for the great interview; wish you much continued success!
