Los Angeles Americana singer/songwriter David Rosales is no stranger to the music industry. After receiving a guitar from his grandfather for his 11th birthday, Rosales instantly fell in love with music and began writing songs of his own. Since then, he has been involved in many projects, including hard rock band Silent Treatment, the Americana duo David & Olivia, but his most recent passion project has been his emotional debut solo album, Brave Ones. Released this spring, Brave Ones finds Rosales exploring love, loss and growth with eleven incredibly personal and powerful songs.
David Rosales has been celebrating the release of Brave Ones out on the road, with tour dates stretching through mid-July. Get to know a little bit more about Rosales and the creation of Brave Ones below, and catch him out on the road now!
Interview by Dom Vigil
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself for any readers who might not be familiar?
Sure, I’m a singer/songwriter born & raised in Los Angeles, California. I just released my first full-length solo album, Brave Ones, this past spring. I come from a Hard Rock background and made a pivot toward the Americana genre out of necessity in 2012 where I began releasing a series of EP’s over three years (Along the Way, On the Sea, Smile). I’m married to the girl of my dreams and am a father to two amazing little rascals. I call Huntington Beach, CA home and find my way into the surf and onto the trails whenever I’m not on tour.
You’ve had quite the journey as a musician, from being involved in other projects and bands to releasing a few solo EPs, and you just released your first full-length album as a solo artist. What are some of the most important lessons you’ve learned over the years that have helped you get to where you are now?
Listening and Trusting the Process. It’s a respect thing at it’s very core; respecting people, their ideas and what they bring to the table. This can be anyone from other musicians and songwriters, to family and friends, the audience, your PR Agency and all number of individuals in-between. It’s also an industry of “hurry up, and wait.” Instead of stressing and worrying about the end result, have fun while you’re on the journey and trust that you’ve laid the ground work for the results you desire.
It being your debut album, were there any major goals you had in mind for Brave Ones?
Yes, I wanted this album to have some groove to it. I wanted to make people move. Overall, I wanted the listener to feel better after having listened to it than they did prior. I also, wanted to go places sonically I hadn’t gone yet in previous efforts. I feel like I accomplished it all.
Brave Ones is a very emotional, and sometimes very heavy release. When you first started working on it, were there any stories that you knew you wanted to tell or emotions you wanted to touch on?
I knew I wanted to tell a couple specific stories which would drift from the rest of the material. I didn’t quite know how to do that off-the-bat, but it began to take shape as we dug into the recording process. Historical war stories and losing loved ones to suicide didn’t exactly match the overall body of work thematically. So, I had to use the music to provide the over arching theme of the album more-so than the actual lyrical content.
A sense of me as a person and songwriter.
What was the most challenging thing about working on Brave Ones?
Time. We had the luxury of time. It was a blessing and a curse. I had previously never had the opportunity to sit with material for long bouts of time while recording. My co-producer, Matt Grundy, would be on tour with Donavon Frankenreiter a month here or two months there. Previously, I’d go in and bust out the music and it would be all instinctual. This time I was really able to analyze and sit down with the material. It’s good to change things up and step out of your comfort zone every now and again. I’m convinced that this album needed that time to breathe.
On the flip side, what were some of the most exciting or rewarding moments when working on the album?
In general, I love the studio. It’s a magical place. A place were anything is possible. Taking a song on a journey and having it end up in a place you couldn’t have even fathomed is exciting as it comes.
You’re currently out on the road in support of the new album! What have been some of the highlights of tour so far? What are you looking forward to in the next few weeks or months?
I’ve gotten to see this music affect the audience in such a positive way. It’s bringing a lot of people happiness and good vibes. I’ve also gotten to see a ton of family around the country that I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to otherwise. I’m looking forward to coming back around for a second swing in cities I’ve hit earlier this year.
Do you have any other big plans for 2018?
Working this record out on the road and releasing some great video content that I’ve been stockpiling.
Thank you for taking the time to chat with us! Is there anything else you’d like to add?
I heard that most toilets flush in E flat.
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