Meet Kid Astronaut, Denver's Multi-Faceted Artist You Need to Experience Live

Kid Astronaut is always up to something. You may have caught his incredible set at the Underground Music Showcase last year, or have seen him performing at Inner Circle or other Denver open-mic nights. This Friday, March 7, the local musician, who also goes by Neon Wolf or his birth name, Jon Shockness, will bring his futuristic R&B and hip-hop to a SoFar Sounds show in the Congress Park area.

"This name of 'Neon Wolf,' that's my core, authentic, artist self, the purest version of me," explains Shockness. "When that version of me came to Earth the first time, he got gifted this soul that is Jon — that's the person on my ID, and that's a part of my personality as well. Those versions had to choose the mantle of Kid Astronaut, which, for me, is a spiritual choice. To be this epic character of kindness and goodness. I put the helmet on and channel my energy into something that is good for the world."

This mission has been a part of his artistry for years. Growing up flipping through his grandmother's vinyl collection and accumulating his own CDs, Shockness has spent the last decade-plus learning production skills on Logic and keeping up with the modern music industry and distribution. "I've put a lot of time into [music], and I still feel like a beginner," he admits. "I still exist in the vulnerable states."
Channeling his creative energy is a longterm process that ties deeply into his spirituality. "The Kid Astronaut journey for me was always tapping into what I need," says Shockness. "What do I need in this moment and what will serve me? How can I take care of myself? Does this feel good? A couple of years ago, I was very burnt out on music. During that time, I stopped forcing myself to do shows, forcing myself to be an artist. I let myself go back to, What are chords and scales and notes, and what are we doing?"

He says he is a different person now than when he started the Kid Astronaut project in 2015.  "I love music again. It's like my best friend, playing guitar — not even for a purpose, just to play and learn and feel the vibrations," says Shockness. "When something happens in my life, it feels like a hit and then the music just comes."
Inspired by such local artists as N3ptune, who builds creative worlds around each project, Shockness focuses on expanding his art projects in tandem with his music before releasing it to fans, or as he fondly calls them, "aliens." One aspect of this is a comic book series about Kid Astronaut's origins, made with the help of Atlanta-based illustrator Anathreetimes. Physical versions of the first comic, Kid Astronaut Origins, which was released in 2021, can be found at Mutiny Cafe or online for purchase. Shockness says the series will unfold further; Kid Astronaut Evolutions is next on the agenda, though a release date is TBD.

Right now, Shockness is looking forward to joining the local lineup with SoFar Sounds, whose concert locations are only revealed 36 hours before the show. "I love playing music," says Shockness. "I'm still growing in the style that I want to have and I want it to be this experience for people, that's what pushes me. I just wanted to be great on all levels."

Kid Astronaut with Sofar Sounds, 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 7; address is revealed 36 hours before the show. Tickets are $28.