A.J. Rosales is not trying to prove anything. His appealingly layered guitar
playing and honest lyrics are just the pure expression of a unique musical vision,
not some calculated product.
Rosales is already an acknowledged force in
the rock/folk scene. His intelligent songwriting, which draws as much from pop
as from jazz, classical, rock, jam, and folk, has been the basis for three well-received
albums in his eight year solo career. Fatigue, in 1997, introduced his intricate
guitar lines, interwoven with intimate lyrics. His Earth and Shoal EP in 2001
added a maturity and depth of experience. With 2004's Resistor, Rosales' songwriting
has gained even greater resonance. Fueled by critical praise and airplay on hundreds
of radio stations, Rosales is reaching out to fans nationwide. As an artist, he
is poised for a major breakthrough, and it all builds from experience.
Rosales
has been playing guitar since his mid-teens. By his own admission, he was "somewhat
of a nerd who gravitated toward the more abstract and technically challenging
pieces." His early affinity for complex musical structure is evident in his
playing style, which blends catchy pop hooks with some unexpected musical flourishes.
Rosales describes his style as "rock music run through an avant garde folk
filter," but it's easy to hear a vast array of other, subtler influences
underscoring his take on folk and rock. His extensive background in classical
music and jazz can be heard in his intricate, contrapuntal arrangements. His guitar
work conjures ghosts of the blues and invokes modern masters of high technical
ability. Listening to Rosales alternately calls to mind Trey Anastasio, Ellis
Paul, Collective Soul and Adam Duritz with all of their varied and inherent skills.
But
a virtuosic delivery is not Rosales' only musical accomplishment . . . His music
has garnered broad attention. He has opened for indie-rock mainstays Vertical
Horizon and Modern English, for instance. The single Sweetest Thing from Earth
and Shoal was included on CMJ's "Certain Damage" CD and was featured
on National Public Radio in Chicago. Initially, this release edged out Smashing
Pumpkins for the top spot in Ohio's WMRU radio play rotation. Thanks to enthusiastic
college radio music directors, he has stayed in the playlist top 10 on several
stations for the Resistor CD, also edging out Coldplay, and even the White Stripes.
Fervent fan support has landed three singles from Resistor in the Top 10 on Garageband.com's
survey of the "best guitars of all time" in the folk/rock genre. His
music and a live performance were even included on the Nationally Syndicated cable
television show “Amazing Vacation Homes” on the Travel Channel.
But
being a "guitar pyrotechnician" is not what he's about, and being the
next pop idol is also not at the top of his list. He's all about recording
his lush, rootsy music, brilliant and humble. And there is no doubt he has all
the talent to back it up.
Buy A.J.
CDs
