Today we’d like to introduce you to Aaron Oswald.
Aaron, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
I was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. In 2005, with the support of my parents, I began playing guitar and singing. This soon became an ongoing passion of mine. I was fortunate enough to be able to attend the Los Angeles County High School For The Arts (LACHSA), from 2009 to 2013. LACHSA is really the place where I gained the confidence to write and perform songs of my own. While being in the Music Tech class, I gained the skills needed to record and produce my own music. I released my first EP, “Losing My Mind” in 2013. The following years, I began to play shows throughout the Los Angeles area and began to garner a modest following. I am grateful that I have had the opportunity to play venues like The House of Blues, The Viper Room, and many others in LA. Last year, I released my second EP “Back To The Start.” This album is a collection of love songs that I composed between 2014 and 2017. Currently, I am promoting songs from “Back To The Start” and working on new material to (hopefully) be released in 2019.
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
I am an independent singer/songwriter. I write, produce, and record all the elements heard within my songs. My compositions focus on the concept of ‘love.’ There are so many different forms of love that I feel need to be expressed and brought to the forefront in our current society. Much of my songs have been based on my own personal experiences as well as the people around me. The ultimate takeaway that I hope people encounter when listening to my songs is a sense of inclusiveness and comfort. My goal is to be able to make people feel better if they are having a “low” day. My style of songwriting has been based around the artists that I find inspirational to me. These would include: Sara Bareilles, Jason Mraz, Ingrid Michaelson, among many others.
Do you think conditions are generally improving for artists? What more can cities and communities do to improve conditions for artists?
For artists, in general, finding a good place to present or perform your work is always difficult. So many venues require an artist to meet a minimum ticket pre-sale or pay a price to use that venue. With this type of system, many artists who don’t have a large following are forced to “fork out” money from their pocket to pay for using this space. I feel more cities need to have free opportunities for young artists to blossom and exhibit their craft. Fortunately, cities like San Diego have a surplus of coffee houses that offer live music and have art from local artists hanging throughout their establishment. Back in 2014, I was lucky enough to participate in an open mic at “Java Joe’s.” Being able to play in a space that has started the careers of many artists, was definitely an experience that I will always remember. Just driving through Old Town or the Normal Heights area, you run into so many venues like this that encourage artists to express themselves. I feel more cities need to create spaces like these. In order for young artists to thrive, there needs to be more freedom of expression. Cities and towns need to be more inclusive and give opportunities to individuals seeking to further their craft. Support Live Music!
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
I am constantly gigging and playing shows around the Los Angeles area. Please be sure to check out my website, Instagram, or Facebook for more information on those shows! Next year, I will be releasing a new single called, “Still The Same”, so keep an eye out for that. My music is available to buy and stream on ALL digital platforms. Follow me on Spotify!
Contact Info:
- Website: aaronoswaldmusic.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/aaron_oswald
- Facebook: facebook.com/aoswaldmusic
- Twitter: twitter.com/aaron_oswald
- Other: spoti.fi/2MYczZn
Image Credit:
Melissa Martin, Drew Cameron, David Oswald
Getting in touch: SDVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
