Jason Achilles
Artist, NASA Researcher
BIO
Following an early 2022 US tour as keyboardist for Jerry Cantrell of Alice in Chains, JASON ACHILLES now divides his time as a touring multi-instrumentalist / music producer, orchestral composer, and “side gig” as an aerospace entrepreneur. Currently he is developing a live touring planetarium show that will inspire the public through an unlikely personal journey from music to Space.
In 2017 Jason leveraged his audio expertise into technical consulting with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory ultimately helping bring to Earth the first sounds of the planet Mars as recorded by the Mars 2020 Perseverance rover. Concurrently he served as Principal Investigator for a 2020 NASA Flight Opportunities grant to successfully flight test his Lunar ExoCam remote rocket viewing camera tech developed with Honeybee Robotics.
When not on the road performing live with his experimental ‘cosmic space-rock’ duo, he can be frequently spotted with his nerd-friends attempting to capture high-fidelity audio from the numerous rocket launches at Vandenberg Space Force Base in Southern California (and not have their microphones incinerated).
Contact: JMezilis@gmail.com
PRESS
"MILWAUKEE — A rockstar from Los Angeles is providing kids in Milwaukee a different perspective on how a career in music can lead you to unexpected places" - WTMJ-TV
“(Jerry) Cantrell is joined by a six-piece band that includes pedal steel player Michael Rozon and keyboard player Jason Achilles, the additional members creating lush instrumentation that adds layers and contrast to the mesmerizing, heavy-riff musicality.” - VILLAGE VOICE
"His work with NASA...has got that same sort of fascination and wonderment as music does, which opens the creative door for him" - WIRED MAGAZINE
"[Achilles] offers up a brilliant record...slick guitar tones, enchanting as they intertwine through each and every song...it speaks for itself. And it speaks loudly." - NO DEPRESSION
"Just as impressive as his musicianship is [Achilles'] ability to trigger effects, create grandiose soundscapes...with his mad scientist-esque hair and space-agey sound, [Achilles] is an artist who can be dropped into just about any situation and draw in even the most listless crowd with his innovative, avant-garde tunes and dextrous playing...he's composing conceptual art. This is purposeful chaos at its finest." - MUSIC CONNECTION MAGAZINE
"A talented multi-instrumentalist; Achilles' musical history is a grab-bag of genres and collaborators ranging from ragtime duos...classical compositions...indie rock bands. But if it weren't scary, everyone would do it." - ROGUE VALLEY MESSENGER