The Rusty Halos

Electronic press kit

THE RUSTY HALOS

Aggressive Americana from Cincinnati. Just doing our best, even if our halos get a bit rusty.

Cincinnati, Ohio · Midwest · Aggressive Americana · Out now

01 / Music

Music

02 / Live video

Live video

Live

Acorn Carry Me (Live) at Murphy's Pub

Cincinnati, March 6, 2026.

03 / Bio

Bio

50 words

The Rusty Halos are a Cincinnati Aggressive Americana trio — Joe Haas, Tommy Wessendarp, and Ryan Wells — writing songs about imperfect Midwesterners doing their best, even when their saintliness gets a bit rusty.

150 words

The Rusty Halos are an Aggressive Americana band from Cincinnati, formed as an organic result of beautiful summer jam sessions in 2025. Fronted by Joe Haas, with Tommy Wessendarp on bass and Ryan Wells on his Legendary Hand Drums, the three men play songs about living life as imperfect Midwesterners doing their best, even when their saintliness gets a bit rusty. Their debut EP, Pleasure and Pain, is out now.

Full bio

The Rusty Halos are an Aggressive Americana band from Cincinnati. The trio formed as an organic result of beautiful summer jam sessions in 2025. It was love at first strum. The jams led to rehearsal for a show, and the guys played together publicly for the first time at the Old Milford Porchfest in October, 2025.

Joe Haas, known as 7 Hills Poet, fronts the group playing acoustic guitar, singing lead vocals, and currently serves as primary songwriter. Tommy Wessendarp contributes with his tasty bass grooves and gorgeous harmony vocals. Ryan Wells adds his Legendary Hand Drums to the mix, a collection of hand-crafted high end hand drums he's developed in his workshop.

Together, they deliver a unique acoustic sound with more of an edge than traditional folk, yet retaining some of that sweetness (depending on the song and the day). Thus, Aggressive Americana has been born!

Joe writes songs about life and love. Navigating the world in these modern times is not always easy for a man aiming to do his best. With his bandmates, his songs shine through as an expression of aiming toward God, falling short along the way, and getting back up to keep going.

The Rusty Halos hail from the Queen City. The river, hills, Midwestern nights around the fire, and general nature of Ohio life shaped their sound. The lads' debut EP, Pleasure and Pain, is out now.

The Rusty Halos are available for clubs, theaters, festivals, support slots, and beautiful listening rooms.

05 / Press photos

Press photos

Joe Haas and Tommy Wessendarp on stage at Commonwealth Comedy Club
@jenkinscameraDownload
The Rusty Halos — full trio on a Milford porch
The Rusty HalosDownload
The Rusty Halos — Joe Haas, Ryan Wells, and Tommy Wessendarp playing a Cincinnati room
The Rusty HalosDownload

06 / Dates

Dates

Booking 2027

[email protected]

Past shows

  • Sat, Oct 17, 2026

    Milford, OH

    Old Milford Porchfest · Full band. 12–1pm · 922 Forest Ave, Milford, OH.

    Free
  • Fri, Sep 25, 2026

    Cincinnati, OH

    MOTR Pub · Duo — Joe Haas and Ryan Wells. Support for Happy Tuesday. 9pm, 21+.

    Free
  • Fri, Mar 6, 2026

    Cincinnati, OH

    Murphy's Pub

    Details
  • Oct 2025

    Milford, OH

    Old Milford Porchfest · First public show.

    Details
  • Date to come

    Cincinnati, OH

    Commonwealth Comedy Club

    Details
  • Date to come

    Cincinnati, OH

    The Vault

    Details

07 / Tech

Tech

Format

Trio

Set length

30, 45, 60, and 90 minute sets. Can perform 120 minute sets of all original music.

Inputs

Vocals (x2), acoustic guitar, bass, Legendary Hand Drums — 6'x6' floorspace

Three-piece out of Cincinnati. We're happy to send a rider upon request.

08 / Contact

Contact

Write from the site

Print for a one-sheet.