Alejandro Aranda

Last updated

Alejandro Aranda
Also known as
  • Scarypoolparty [1]
Born (1994-08-11) August 11, 1994 (age 30)
Pomona, California, U.S.
Genres
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • guitar
  • piano
Years active2017–present
Labels

Alejandro Aranda (born August 11, 1994), formerly known by his stage name Scarypoolparty, is an American musician and reality television personality from Pomona, California. He was the runner-up on the seventeenth season of American Idol . Aranda's debut album, Exit Form, was released on November 22, 2019. His second album, Doom Hologram, was released on September 4, 2020. His first EP, L.A., was released in 2021. Aranda's third album, The Act of Forgiveness, was released in 2021.

Contents

Early life

Aranda was born on August 11, 1994, in Pomona, California.

Aranda has said that his musical influences include classical composers Ludwig van Beethoven, Johann Sebastian Bach and Frédéric Chopin, along with contemporary artists such as Dead Can Dance, Nine Inch Nails, Trent Reznor, and Slipknot. [3] [4]

In 2017, Aranda won Artist of the Year with CSUN and Five of Five Entertainment. It was from here that he started gaining traction in the music industry. [5]

His American Idol audition was aired March 6, 2019. Aranda is the only contestant to play seven original songs in the show's history, even though producers encouraged him to play cover versions of other musicians' music. [6]

American Idol

He received a private audition through someone who attended a backyard concert that he performed, and on March 6, 2019, he auditioned for the seventeenth season of American Idol in Los Angeles. Aranda performed two original songs, "Out Loud" and "Cholo Love." Luke Bryan said, "I just feel like I'm in the presence of greatness." and "It was like watching my favorite movie that I did not want to end." Katy Perry said, "Okay Alejandro, I think you're the winner. I think you're really special. I think you're an absolute genius." [3]

His audition video was released on February 6, 2019, and as of August 2019, it had reached 14 million YouTube views. [7] On March 16, 2019, Stevie Nicks wrote on Instagram a prophecy saying he will "perform across great stages of the world" and "...let me welcome you to the grand stage that will be your home for the rest of your extraordinary life."

Aranda performed seven different original songs. [8] [9] He played "10 Years" in Hollywood Week and in the finale with an orchestra, making him the only contestant to perform four original songs in the finale of the show. [10]

EpisodeThemeSong ChoiceOriginal ArtistOrder #Result
AuditionAuditioner's Choice"Out Loud"HimselfN/AAdvanced
"Cholo Love"N/A
Hollywood Round, Round 1Contestant's Choice"Sorry" Justin Bieber N/AAdvanced
Hollywood Round, Round 2Group Performance"Go Your Own Way" (with Eddie Island,
Shawn Robinson, Drew Chambers, & Aronn Mendoza)
Fleetwood Mac N/AAdvanced
Hollywood Round, Round 3Contestant's Choice"10 Years"HimselfN/AAdvanced
Showcase Round / Top 40Contestant's Choice"Yellow" Coldplay 21Advanced
Top 20 Solo & DuetContestant's Choice"I Fall Apart" Post Malone 16Advanced
"There Will Be a Light" (with Ben Harper) Ben Harper and The Blind Boys of Alabama 18
Top 14Contestant's Choice"One Dance" Drake 11Safe
Victory Song"Cholo Love"Himself13
Top 10Disney Night"Remember Me"from Coco 3Safe
Top 8Queen Night"Under Pressure" Queen 5Safe
Movie Duets"Mrs. Robinson" (with Walker Burroughs) Simon & Garfunkel 10
Top 6Woodstock"White Rabbit" Jefferson Airplane 5Safe
Showstoppers"Poison"Himself8
Top 5Bobby Bones' Choice"No Woman, No Cry" Bob Marley and the Wailers 3Safe
Elton John Night"Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word" Elton John 8
Hero Dedication"Blesser"Himself14
FinaleContestant's Choice"Millennial Love"Himself3Runner–up
"Tonight"Himself6
"Out Loud"Himself8

Post-American Idol

2019 to present

During the Hometown Heroes Concert in Pomona, California, the mayor of Pomona declared May 19, 2019 "Alejandro Aranda Day." [11] Following American Idol, Aranda went on a seven-date United States tour in July 2019. [12] Tickets went on sale on the morning of May 23, every show sold out in under 15 minutes. [13] American Idol judge Katy Perry jokingly begged Aranda to be a "roadie" on her tour. [12]

Aranda performed a free concert in Nashville, Tennessee on July 3, joined by Bizz & Everyday People. [9] He met Darren King at the Nashville show and being a long-time fan of MuteMath, it was an opportunity to play on the road with King and his wife, Sucre, during the 2019 Fall Tour.[ citation needed ]

He released the single, "Tonight," under the name Scarypoolparty on June 28, 2019, after signing with Hollywood Records. The song was co-written and co-produced by Twin Shadow. [14] [15] "Tonight" was performed on American Idol during the auditions as well as April 15, 2019 during the top 14 results show. On August 7, 2019, he released the song, "Cholo Love". The song was played during the audition and during the Wildcard Episode on April 15, 2019. He wrote and produced this song for Exit Form with his friend and mentor Twin Shadow. [16]

Aranda went on a 29 stop fall tour from October 10 to November 22, [17] and performed at several music festivals, including Lollapalooza in Chicago on August 3, 2019, [18] Life Is Beautiful Music & Art Festival in September 2019 [19] and Austin City Limits Music Festival in October 2019. [20]

Aranda released the single, "Diamonds," on October 4, 2019, along with a YouTube video and behind the scenes video. It was the stage for upcoming albums and a separation from the Idol image that was created and often in conflict with his emerging Scarypoolparty alter ego. [21] Exit Form, his debut album, was released on November 22, 2019. [22] He was featured on Lollapalooza's 2020 online festival, which showed previously recorded concert sets. [23]

On March 2, 2021, he released a collaborative single with Nothing,Nowhere under the stage name Scarypoolparty. [24] The song was a precursor to the EP, Los Angeles, which was released on March 26.

On August 27, 2021, Aranda released a 21-song album, The Act of Forgiveness. He collaborated with composer Rob Mathes on an 18-piece orchestra, adding orchestral arrangements on 12 of the album's tracks. [25] The Beautiful Liar Tour with X Ambassadors and Taylor Janzen began on October 15, 2021. [26] He performed six to seven songs at each show on the United States leg. Janzen opened the shows, Scarypoolparty followed, and X Ambassadors were the main act. [27]

In April 2024, Aranda joined a band known as Seven Hours After Violet, which was announced in an Instagram post by the band. [28] He was also featured on the single "Forever" by American deathcore band Left to Suffer.

Personal life

In an interview with Launch Left, Aranda talked about his family and the fact that he was not close to them. He is extremely private and there are not many details available about his private life. [29]

Discography

Studio albums

List of studio albums, with selected details
TitleDetailsPeak chart positions
US
Heat

[30]
Exit Form 6
Doom Hologram
  • Released: September 4, 2020
  • Label: Hollywood Records
  • Format: Digital download, vinyl
The Act of Forgiveness
  • Released: August 27, 2021
Nano [ citation needed ]
  • Released: December 29, 2023
  • Label: Independent
  • Format: Digital download
Etudes for Anxiety [ citation needed ]
  • Released: January 4, 2024
  • Label: Independent
  • Format: Digital download
Will you remember when I'm gone
  • Released: February 16, 2024
  • Label: Independent
  • Format: Digital download
Unplugged
  • Released: September 27, 2024
  • Format: Digital download

Extended plays

List of EP's, with selected details
TitleDetails
Los Angeles
  • Released: March 26, 2021

Singles

TitleYearAlbum
"Fading Away"[ citation needed ]2018Non-album single
"Out Loud"[ citation needed ]Exit Form
"10 Years"[ citation needed ]
"Tonight"2019
"Cholo Love"
"Diamonds"
"Return2Sender"[ citation needed ]2020Doom Hologram
"Home"[ citation needed ]2021Non-album single
"Cellphones"[ citation needed ]The Act of Forgiveness
"Universe"[ citation needed ]Los Angeles
"The Darkness"[ citation needed ]The Act of Forgiveness
"Friends"[ citation needed ]
"Poison"[ citation needed ]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Strokes</span> American indie rock band

The Strokes are an American rock band formed in New York City in 1998. The band is composed of lead singer and primary songwriter Julian Casablancas, guitarists Nick Valensi and Albert Hammond Jr., bassist Nikolai Fraiture, and drummer Fabrizio Moretti. They were a leading group of the early-2000s post-punk revival and garage rock revival movements.

<i>American Idol</i> American singing competition

American Idol is an American singing competition television series created by Simon Fuller, produced by Fremantle North America and 19 Entertainment, and distributed by Fremantle North America. It aired on Fox from June 11, 2002, to April 7, 2016, for 15 seasons. It was on hiatus for two years until March 11, 2018, when a revival of the series began airing on ABC.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Perry Farrell</span> American singer, songwriter and musician (born 1959)

Perry Farrell is an American singer, songwriter, and musician referred to as the "Godfather of Alternative Music". Farrell began his career with Psi Com in the early 1980s, before becoming the frontman of the band Jane's Addiction. He became well known for his success with Jane's Addiction; the band quickly became a key act in the '80s Los Angeles music scene, blending punk, metal, and psychedelic rock to create a unique sound. Their daring live performances and experimental approach resonated with disillusioned youth, contributing to the rise of alternative music as a form of rebellion and self-expression.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Will Young</span> British singer and actor (born 1979)

William Robert Young is an English singer, songwriter, and actor. He came to prominence after winning the 2002 inaugural series of the ITV talent contest Pop Idol, making him the first winner of the worldwide Idol franchise. His double A-sided debut single "Anything Is Possible" / "Evergreen" was released two weeks after the show's finale and became the fastest-selling debut single in the UK. Young also came in fifth place in World Idol performing the single "Light My Fire" written by the band the Doors.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brad Wilk</span> American drummer (born 1968)

Bradley Joseph Wilk is an American drummer. He is best known as a member of the rock bands Rage Against the Machine, Audioslave, and Prophets of Rage (2016–2019).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Daughtry</span> American musician

Christopher Adam Daughtry is an American singer, musician, actor, and comic book artist. He is the lead vocalist and a guitarist for the rock band Daughtry, which he formed after placing fourth on the fifth season of American Idol. Released by RCA Records, Daughtry's self-titled debut album became the fastest selling debut rock album in Nielsen SoundScan history, selling more than one million copies within five weeks of release, and music's top-selling album of 2007. The album was recorded before the band was officially formed, making him the only official member present on the album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elliott Yamin</span> American singer (born 1978)

Ephraim Elliott Yamin is an American singer known for his hit single "Wait for You" and for placing third on the fifth season of American Idol.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Phillip Phillips</span> American singer

Phillip LaDon Phillips Jr. is an American singer-songwriter who rose to fame after winning the eleventh season of American Idol in 2012. His coronation song, "Home", became the best-selling coronation song in American Idol history.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Katy Perry</span> American singer (born 1984)

Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson, known professionally as Katy Perry, is an American singer, songwriter, and television personality. Perry is one of the best-selling music artists in history, having sold over 143 million units worldwide. She is known for her influence on pop music and her camp style, being dubbed the "Queen of Camp" by Vogue and Rolling Stone.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cage the Elephant</span> American rock band from Kentucky

Cage the Elephant is an American rock band formed in 2006 in Bowling Green, Kentucky. They moved to England and settled in London in 2008, shortly before their self-titled first album was released. The band currently consists of Matt Shultz (vocals), his older brother Brad Shultz, Nick Bockrath, Matthan Minster, Daniel Tichenor (bass), and Jared Champion (drums). The band's first album was released to much success, spawning several successful radio singles and gaining the band a large following in both the United States and the United Kingdom. It was influenced by classic rock, '90s alternative, blues, punk rock, and funk music. Lincoln Parish served as the band's lead guitarist from their formation in 2006 until 2013, when he left on good terms to pursue a career in producing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adam Lambert</span> American singer (born 1982)

Adam Mitchel Lambert is an American singer. He is known for his dynamic vocal performances that combine his theatrical training with modern and classic genres. Lambert rose to fame in 2009 after finishing as runner-up on the eighth season of American Idol. Later that year, he released his debut album For Your Entertainment, which debuted at number three on the U.S. Billboard 200. The album spawned several singles, including "Whataya Want from Me", for which he received a Grammy nomination for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Todrick Hall</span> American entertainer (born 1985)

Todrick Hall is an American singer, rapper, choreographer, and YouTuber. He gained national attention on the ninth season of the televised singing competition American Idol. Following this, he amassed a huge following on YouTube with viral videos including original songs, parodies, and skits. A documentary series about his video-making process titled Todrick aired on MTV in 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lauren Alaina</span> American singer and songwriter

Lauren Alaina Kristine Suddeth is an American singer and songwriter from Rossville, Georgia. She was the runner-up on the tenth season of American Idol. Her debut studio album, Wildflower, was released on October 11, 2011. Her second album, Road Less Traveled, was released January 27, 2017. Alaina later achieved her first number one on the Country Airplay chart with the album's title track. Her second number one came later that year when she simultaneously topped five Billboard charts with her friend and former classmate Kane Brown on their duet "What Ifs". In addition to this song with Brown, Alaina became an in-demand duet vocalist throughout the next few years, appearing on number one collaborations with Hardy, Devin Dawson, and Dustin Lynch. Her third studio album, Sitting Pretty on Top of the World, was released on September 3, 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Madeon</span> French musician and DJ

Hugo Pierre Leclercq, better known by his stage name Madeon, is a French musician, DJ, songwriter, singer and music producer from Nantes, based in Los Angeles. He initially came to widespread public attention at age 17 through a YouTube video, "Pop Culture", where he performed a mash-up of 39 different popular songs in real-time using a Novation Launchpad. It received millions of hits in its first few days of release. Madeon has cited the Beatles and Daft Punk as his greatest musical influences.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Colton Dixon</span> American musician

Michael Colton Dixon is an American singer-songwriter and musician from Murfreesboro, Tennessee. He placed seventh on the eleventh season of American Idol.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maddie Poppe</span> American singer-songwriter (born 1997)

Madeline Mae Poppe is an American singer-songwriter, musician, and the sixteenth season winner of American Idol. She is a multi-instrumentalist—playing the guitar, piano, and ukulele. Prior to winning American Idol in 2018, Poppe released an independent album titled Songs from the Basement. Poppe released her first studio album, Whirlwind, with Hollywood Records in 2019.

<i>American Idol</i> season 17 Season of television series

The seventeenth season of American Idol premiered on March 3, 2019, on the ABC television network. It was the show's second season to air on ABC. Ryan Seacrest continued as host, while Katy Perry, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie returned as judges. Bobby Bones returned as the in-house mentor, and acted as a guest host for the episode on April 8, 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Laine Hardy</span> Musical artist

Laine Hardy is an American singer from Livingston, Louisiana, and the seventeenth season winner of American Idol.

Kim Woosung, also known as Woosung and Sammy, is a Korean-American singer–songwriter, composer, producer, and musician. Woosung is most known as lead vocalist and electric guitarist of the South Korean indie-rock band The Rose. He also made his solo debut on July 25, 2019, with the extended play Wolf.

Dibesh Pokharel, known by his stage name Arthur Gunn, is a Nepalese-born American singer-songwriter from Wichita, Kansas, who came to national attention in 2020 as the runner-up finalist on the eighteenth season of the singing reality show American Idol. He started singing in 2014 and is known for his "textured, sandpapery" vocals. He released his eight-song debut album, Grahan, in early 2018. He released another album, KHOJ, in 2019 with singles including "Ma," "Khoj" and "Karnali ."

References

  1. "Scarypoolparty". Spotify. Retrieved June 13, 2019.
  2. Patti, Sanchez (March 2, 2021). "Alejandro Aranda, AKA scarypoolparty, drops Heavy, New Rap Song and Announces Upcoming EP". www.grimygoods.com. GrimyGoods. Retrieved April 25, 2022. ..carefully tailored array of genres from rap and hip hop to classical music & R&B.
  3. 1 2 "Alejandro Aranda's American Idol Audition". May 6, 2020. Archived from the original on July 1, 2020. Retrieved July 1, 2020 via YouTube.
  4. "Scarypoolparty aka Alejandro Aranda Talks Nine Inch Nails, American Idol". August 1, 2020. Archived from the original on January 3, 2020. Retrieved August 6, 2024 via YouTube.
  5. "Who Is Alejandro Aranda? 10 Facts About 'American Idol's Rising Star". Talent Recap. March 27, 2019. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
  6. "Volume West Interview". Sirius XM Radio. April 9, 2020.
  7. "Alejandro Aranda Interview on 'American Idol' & Making Music as Scarypoolparty". Billboard.com. August 26, 2019. Archived from the original on July 1, 2020. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
  8. Larsen, Peter (May 20, 2019). "Alejandro Aranda loses the 'American Idol' crown but wins in originality". Daily Bulletin. Retrieved June 13, 2019.
  9. 1 2 Preston, Hannah (June 12, 2019). "'American Idol' Runner-Up Alejandro Aranda Announces Free Concert". Newsweek. Retrieved June 13, 2019.
  10. "The 'American Idol' finale ended in an upset. Katy Perry may have accidentally hinted at why". The Washington Post. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  11. Roe, Mike (May 14, 2019). "Pomona Throws A Giant Parade For Its Hometown 'American Idol' Finalist Alejandro Aranda". LAist. Archived from the original on December 20, 2019. Retrieved June 18, 2019.
  12. 1 2 Preston, Hannah (May 21, 2019). "'American Idol' Runner-Up Alejandro Aranda Announces First Tour, Katy Perry Asks To Be a 'Roadie". Newsweek. Retrieved June 13, 2019.
  13. Santilli, MJ (May 23, 2019). "American Idol's Alejandro Aranda Tour Sold Out, Scalpers Asking Big Bucks". MJsBigBlog. Retrieved June 13, 2019.
  14. Angermiller, Michelle (June 26, 2019). "Greyson Chance, 'Idol' Alums Gabby Barrett and Alejandro Aranda Sign Major Label Deals". Variety. Retrieved June 28, 2019.
  15. Wass, Mike (June 28, 2019). "Scarypoolparty (AKA Alejandro Aranda) Drops Alt-Pop Anthem "Tonight"". Idolator. Retrieved June 28, 2019.
  16. Polo, Maxamillion (August 9, 2019). "Scarypoolparty Pens a Deceptively Haunting Ballad in 'Cholo Love'". Ones to Watch. Retrieved August 19, 2019.
  17. @scarypoolparty (June 24, 2019). "Tour in the fall. Pre sale tomorrow 10 am local. (code: Scarypoolparty) Public on sale Friday 10am local. New single Friday. http://bit.ly/SPPTour2019" (Tweet) via Twitter.
  18. "Scarypoolparty". lollapalooza.com. Retrieved July 2, 2019.
  19. "Life Is Beautiful Festival 2019". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved August 19, 2019.
  20. Stith, Deborah (August 9, 2019). "ACL Fest adds new artists, more Third Eye Blind". Austin 360. Retrieved August 19, 2019.
  21. Campbell, Rachel (October 9, 2019). "Scarypoolparty Rocks a Skate Shop in Gritty "Diamonds" Video". Alternative Press. Retrieved October 18, 2019.
  22. Wass, Mike (November 5, 2019). "Scarypoolparty (AKA Alejandro Aranda) Announces Debut LP, 'Exit Form'". Idolator. Retrieved November 7, 2019.
  23. "Lolla2020 online festival night". Chicago Reader. July 30, 2020. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
  24. "nothing,nowhere. Has Collaborated With Scarypoolparty On Their New Track 'Universe' - News". Rock Sound Magazine. Retrieved March 3, 2021.
  25. "Scarypoolparty's Monumental 21-Track Double Album 'The Act of Forgiveness ,' Available Today". Shore Fire Media. Retrieved August 28, 2021.
  26. santilli, mj (June 15, 2021). "American Idol's Scarypoolparty to Open for X Ambassadors Fall 2021". mjsbigblog. Retrieved July 28, 2023.
  27. May, Emily (October 28, 2021). "X Ambassadors – Scarypoolparty – Taylor Janzen // Louisville, KY // 10.23.21" . Retrieved July 28, 2023.
  28. "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
  29. "iHeartRadio – Launch Left Podcast – Portrait: Alejandro Aranda". iHeart.com. January 14, 2020. Archived from the original on July 1, 2020. Retrieved June 30, 2020.
  30. "Scarypoolparty Chart History (Heatseekers Albums)". Billboard .