Music has always been a compass in my life. I grew up singing opera, blues, and eventually fell in love with the electricity of rock ‘n’ roll.
The bug bit me early and it never let go. Maybe that’s why I connected so deeply with Jason Libs during our conversation.
His story resonated not only because of his extraordinary talent, but because of the way music has always been a lifeline for him, too.
Libs grew up in a household filled with instruments and songs, thanks to his father, a musician whose records filled their home in Indiana.
He remembers being transported by the sounds of The Beatles, Little Richard and Led Zeppelin, even believing for a time that his dad had written classics like “Teach Your Children” or “Ventura Highway.”
The only catch was that he had to come to terms with not having any super powers.
That sense of magic never left him.
“Sports gave me discipline,” Libs told me, “but music, playing pretend, living in my imagination, was where I found freedom and solace.”
By the age of 9, he was already weaving stories to the melodies he heard, deciding he would either be a rock star or a superhero.
“Music, playing pretend, living in my imagination, was where I found freedom and solace.”
Jason Libs
His path took him through Portland during middle and high school, where he experienced a different culture from Indiana.
When he returned home, music became his escape hatch. Later, his album River City Rocker captured pieces of those formative years.
Style Guide
Libs’ style is hard to pin down. It is rock, folk, country and soul all tied together.
He traces his influences back to three threads: his upbringing, his generation and his artistic obsessions.
From his dad’s records and 1970s classics, to the wide-open world of MTV in the ’80s, to artists like Bob Dylan, David Bowie and Bill Withers, Libs has always absorbed a wide spectrum of sound.
Guitar, piano and harmonica have all played central roles in his life. He recalls learning “Horse With No Name” on guitar as a child, developing improvisational instincts on piano inspired by George Winston, and blowing harmonica along to blues records.
Today, he leans most on guitar for songwriting, but each instrument is part of his toolkit for expression.
Community of Sound
Santa Barbara has embraced Libs in a way that feels almost fated. What was supposed to be a one-month gig at The Red Piano downtown turned into a residency that has lasted years.
“The people here welcomed me into the community,” he said. “I am forever grateful for the friendships forged here.”
At SOhO Restaurant & Music Club, Libs calls the venue his second home. The Hansons, who run the space in Victoria Court, have been tireless champions of local music, giving him room to perform originals, collaborate and host themed events like The Living Room Jam.
Meanwhile, The Red Piano has given him a stage six nights a week to play for tourists, locals and fellow musicians.
“Helping to create magic moments is the mission there,” he said. “I love my work.”
Giving Back
Libs’ music is not only about personal expression, it’s about community impact.
Introduced by Kenny Loggins, Libs became involved with Unity Shoppe, a nonprofit “free store” that provides year-round groceries, clothing, household goods — and holiday toys — to locals in need.
Through events like his long-running John Lennon tribute, Libs helps raise funds for local causes.
“Santa Barbara is a generous community,” he told me. “Like many contributors, I think I get more than I give from being a part of these events.”
Making of a Legend
When asked about being called a Santa Barbara musical legend, Libs laughed it off.
“Nobody says that,” he joked. “If somebody did, I paid them.”
But watching the way he has become a fixture in this city’s nightlife, the way he brings people together at The Red Piano or SOhO, it is clear he is a cornerstone of the local scene.
Santa Barbara has a vibe, Libs says, something hard to define but undeniable. He hopes to see more support for original local artists in the years to come.
And if his own career is any example, he is proof that when music and community intertwine, magic follows.
