Shaggy red hair and a resurrected hippie wardrobe hardly fulfill the rock star persona, but Brett Dennen holds his own among tenants of the fame-wrecked world of music.

On Oct. 15, the socially-charged artist will take the stage at The Pageant as part of a worldwide tour, spreading his message of love and hope in classic singer-songwriter fashion.

“You listen to pop music, and a lot of it is pretty forced and strategic,” Dennen said. “People want to hear music that has chemistry in it.”

It is that chemistry which has driven Dennen into his recent notoriety, with his best-known song, “Ain’t No Reason,” playing on shows like “Scrubs” and “Grey’s Anatomy.” With the inception of the song, though, Dennen said he had no idea of the popularity it would reach.

“I didn’t really have a goal in writing it,” Dennen said. “I didn’t want to come off as a protest song or angry. I wanted to suggest the possibility of love.”

That possibility is echoed throughout Dennen’s music, stretching from his first release, a self-titled album in 2004, to his most recent album, “Loverboy,” which was released this year.

While not filled with the same gusto of 60s-era hits, Dennen’s songs are shockingly reminiscent of the turbulent period. Dennen’s disagreement is not solely with the violence of war or the tragedy of genocide, although both are prevalent throughout his works. In, “I Asked When,” from his second album, “So Much More,” Dennen repeatedly questions the necessity of a revolution. While he addresses many issues worthy of a revolution, he notes a focus on locality as a plausible and pertinent change.

“I want people to rely on their communities more, their own businesses, their own jobs, their own local food. They can’t rely on the national government as much,” Dennen said.

Though his lyrics border the controversial- blatantly disapproving of government actions- Dennen abhors violence as a form of protest. He cites one moment in particular– a moment he looks back on, terrified and saddened.

“I’ve seen someone get shot at a concert before. I’m an easygoing musician, and I can’t imagine violence at one of my shows,” Dennen said.

The 31-year-old sees youth as the answer to the problems that he hopes to combat with his music. He said he is doubtful as to the older generation’s willingness to allow that youth revolution, though.

“Everybody relies on the youth to take over the world someday, but when the chance to take over the world comes, nobody lets the youth do it,” Dennen said. “One day, the older people will say, ‘Okay, here’s all our problems.’ It’s the job of the youth to not settle for that.”

As a student of the University of California at Santa Cruz, Dennen studied Community Studies and Social Change, graduating in 2004 with a newfound zest for revolution.

“In 10 years, I’ll still be making albums,” Dennen said. “I want a big piece of land with a retreat center for artists and musicians . . . to cultivate positive thinking.”

His final piece of advice for the fans is subtle, and telling of his character: “Don’t worry too much, just trust in love.”