BRANDON ROSEN
It all started behind the piano for Brandon Rosen. Even before he was born, his mother, a classical pianist, would serenade him in the hopes that he would share her passion for the instrument. Her efforts paid off when she enrolled him in piano lessons at the tender age of 4, and it quickly became clear that the piano was a natural extension of Brandon's soul.
Fast forward to 2023, and the piano has become an indispensable part of himself. Whether it be the foundation of every song he writes, the fusion of classical piano and improvisational licks at a Brandon Rosen show, or in the production of his own music, the keys are always at the forefront of his creative process. Brandon now uses his love of the keys to bring the piano back to the mainstream. He's poised to fill the gap in the modern-day music industry of an Elton John or Billy Joel figure, where the piano and the artist are one and the same.
Despite a strict classical music upbringing, Brandon always knew he was meant to be an artist. He rebelled against the buttoned-up classical music world, lyricizing Claude Debussy's "Clair De Lune" and discovering a passion for songwriting. After attending conservatory in Manhattan, Brandon was accepted into the prestigious Clive Davis Institute, where he further honed his skills as a producer and songwriter.
During the pandemic, Brandon used his spare time to become a self-producer. Setting up a bare-bones studio in his bedroom, he honed his production skills and hosted weekly recording and jam sessions with other musicians. His vast love for John Mayer, The Rolling Stones, and The Weeknd, inspired him to weave together pop, rock, and R&B into a big sound that is uniquely his own.
In his upcoming debut EP, "Phases of the Moon," Brandon tackles issues of love, lust, and personal growth with a sense of honesty and authenticity that is refreshing in today's music scene. The first single, "Blurry," is an anthemic production that embodies the relatable and confusing early 20s persona of trying to puzzle piece the world together. The tenor sings, “why is growing older not like in the movies?”, at the intersection of being young enough where you want to grow older, but also facing bigger responsibilities and craving innocence. “Blurry" is for the overwhelmed and afraid of conformity. Concluding in the emotional refrain, “you just gotta stay in the light,” Brandon and the audience find strength and hope together.
"Blurry" is a thesis for the rest of Brandon's music: retro, romantic, and with a strong vulnerability. Brandon reflects on his motivation to be vulnerable in two of his childhood heroes. "Growing up, I connected to John Mayer's lyricism because he would say what I was afraid to say and admit his wrongs. That's the vehicle I want to be for other people like myself. I will always be authentic in my music for that reason." Experimentation is also a key belief Brandon has. He reflects on his beyond-late discovery of David Bowie being an inspiration to take more risks in his music: "The human experience isn't linear, none of us are just 'one thing,' and I want to show that in my music."
Brandon’s debut EP, “Phases of the Moon” will be released in July, and the above themes are beyond prevalent. In this project, the young artist looks at where he wants to go, and carves a space for his future in his production. The track may have been produced in his bedroom, however his anthemic outros mimic a build to the likes of one of Brandon’s biggest influences, Coldplay. That’s where he’s poised to one day be: leading a crowd of 80,000 people, singing honest comforting lyrics, right behind his piano.
