Jon Hayes

The first time you hear Kalamazoo-based songwriter Jon Hayes you are immediately reminded of John Mayer. With his soulful tones and a storytelling ability reminiscent of Bon Iver and NEEDTOBREATHE, this musician carries an unwavering commitment to authenticity and honesty.


Developing a love of music from a young age, Jon spent his time break dancing to DC Talk, playing the flute, and creating garage bands with his brother. But after years of trying to make it while also serving as a musician in the church, he realized that music had become his God. With no sense of who he was without music, Jon gave it up. Thankfully, soon afterwards, under the encouragement of his soon-to-be wife and some deep soul deconstruction, Jon gave music another shot and somewhere on this journey of profound heartache, pride, and then humility, Jon found his voice again.
He officially branched out as a soloist in 2018 and released his first single "Temporary" that same year, leading him to perform extensively around the Midwest and Northeast America taking the stages at Creation Festival and Soul Fest.



His mixture of storytelling and song-craft made him a favorite among locals. And as he opened up about his childhood experience of sexual abuse, his music became a conduit of healing for many. This paved the way for more songs that delved further into his introspective themes and tender style, including his song "Nursery Lie", which reached over 10, 000 streams on Spotify alone its first six months. It was featured on prominent indie folk playlists such as Indie Folk Central and Mahogany Coffee House.


Jon’s candid nature and humor put him on a circuit of house shows, allowing him and his wife to balance parenthood with their three (soon to be four) kids and his emerging career. It became clear that Jon had an audience ready and willing to back a new album. Enter the project, and the album "Between You & Me," which released in February 2023
through direct distribution and soon through Kalamazoo's Satellite Records Store.


Jon recorded in basements, offices and bedrooms, and pulled it together with a team of talented friends who played the role of session players, mixers and designers. With evocative tracks that capture the joy, sorrow, and hope of living, he offers a truly vulnerable and beautifully crafted album to the world.

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