Music Coast caught up with Aaron Wolf at Reggae Rise Up Oregon 2026 for a conversation about opening the festival weekend, Running On Hope, writing from real life, and what it means to give people a moment of connection through music.
Aaron talks about setting the tone early in the weekend, seeing his people come out for the set, and the special feeling of playing in Oregon after a run through Salt Lake, Boise, Roseburg, and the road.
We also get into:
• Opening Reggae Rise Up Oregon and pulling people into the moment
• Coloso joining him on stage
• How Running On Hope has evolved with fans
• Why songs can take on meanings beyond what the writer first intended
• “My People,” “I Tried,” “Counting On You,” and “Moving On”
• Blending reggae, folk, hip-hop, and honest songwriting
• Writing for himself first and letting listeners connect in their own way
• Keeping the music uplifting without avoiding real life
• Staying grounded on the road
• Wanting first-time listeners to walk away feeling like they have a friend
• New music in the works with Ian Young
• Advice he would give to a younger version of himself
Running On Hope with Alific is out now. “Counting On You” with G. Love & Special Sauce and “I Tried” are also available now.
🎤 Interview by Music Coast
📍 Reggae Rise Up Oregon 2026 — Redmond, Oregon
