Ask Her To Dance David Rosales! Hear his new song and music video here first here!
credit: Nick Setchell
Following his acclaimed 2018 debut, Brave Ones, and subsequent tours, Rosales settled into MAPS Studios in Fullerton, CA to record REVIVE in late February of 2020 with his friend, co-producer and touring drummer, Mike Willson. With the addition of a 'Memphis Horns' style brass section to his group of backing musicians, Rosales makes it clear that his sound has grown since the release of Brave Ones.
“I had wanted to keep the album's production within my circle. It had to feel worn in and comfortable,” explains Rosales. “Mike and I had spent countless hours touring on the road and surfing, discussing a sound and a vibe that needed to be captured. I leaned on the rich, soulful influence of Al Green, Otis Redding, and Sam Cooke throughout my writing process. I found that it really fits where I am, what I feel this world needs, and how I'm engaging musically with the healing and unity that I want to bring with my music.”
Rosales is more than just a musician. He is an outdoorsman, family man and does everything he can to give back to the community. Seeing how scared and stretched his community was due to the pandemic, he took to playing weekly neighborhood “Driveway Hop” concerts so people could have a release and feel socially connected. Additionally, through his non-profit charity, BraveOnes Foundation, Rosales was able to distribute PPE's and Meaningful Meals to various in-need families and health care heroes throughout his local community.
“People need people and I saw an opportunity to help,” acknowledges Rosales. “Whether we were filling bellies with food through BraveOnes Foundation or filling souls with music, it was all about spreading good vibes and making a positive impact during a rough period. This music is all about hope, positivity & inclusivity. However bad it's been, I feel like you can always turn it around.”
REVIVE was designed to flourish in the vinyl format with each side of the LP sequenced in such a way to have a beginning, middle and end. Side A kicks off with the upbeat ear-candy of “Ask Her to Dance” — a song that jumps out of the speakers and right into the summer Kool-Aid of love. It's a single that begs you to dance the night away with a fresh and contemporary Sam Cooke flair. Flip the record over, and drop the stylus on Side B for “Down the Line,” which immediately lures the listener in close with Rosales’ whiskey soaked resonance before he and his Band of Scoundrels explode into a dynamic blues rock laden anthem fit for a highway roadhouse.
Rooted in Americana and bathing in West Coast sunshine, Los Angeles-native David Rosales aims to provide a light at the end of the pandemic tunnel with his new 12-track sophomore LP, REVIVE (out July 22). “Strange times need good vibes,” says Rosales. “I’m ready to give the world a much needed dose of positivity.”
