Alejandro Aranda

Summary

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Alejandro Aranda, known by his stage name Scarypoolparty, is an American singer and musician, who was runner-up on the seventeenth season of American Idol. His 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. Alejandro's third album, The Act of Forgiveness, was released in 2021.

Alejandro Aranda
Also known as
  • Scarypoolparty[1]
Born (1994-08-11) August 11, 1994 (age 29)
Pomona, California, U.S.
Genres
Instrument(s)
  • Vocals
  • guitar
  • piano
Years active2017–present
Labels

Early life edit

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

Musically, Aranda's early influences included classical music like Ludwig van Beethoven, Johann Sebastian Bach and Frédéric Chopin, along with Dead Can Dance, Nine Inch Nails and other classical and contemporary artists.[citation needed]

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.[3]

His American Idol audition was aired March 6, 2019. He was the only contestant to play seven original songs in the show's history, even though producers encouraged him to play cover versions.[4]

American Idol edit

He received a private audition through someone who attended a backyard concert that he performed, and on April 6, 2019, he auditioned for the seventeenth season of American Idol in Los Angeles. Alejandro 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."[5]

His audition video was released on February 6, 2019, and as of August 2019, it had reached 14 million YouTube views.[6] 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.[7][8] 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.[9]

Episode Theme Song Choice Original Artist Order # Result
Audition Auditioner's Choice "Out Loud" Himself N/A Advanced
"Cholo Love" N/A
Hollywood Round, Round 1 Contestant's Choice "Sorry" Justin Bieber N/A Advanced
Hollywood Round, Round 2 Group Performance "Go Your Own Way" (with Eddie Island,
Shawn Robinson, Drew Chambers, & Aronn Mendoza)
Fleetwood Mac N/A Advanced
Hollywood Round, Round 3 Contestant's Choice "10 Years" Himself N/A Advanced
Showcase Round / Top 40 Contestant's Choice "Yellow" Coldplay 21 Advanced
Top 20 Solo & Duet Contestant's Choice "I Fall Apart" Post Malone 16 Advanced
"There Will Be a Light" (with Ben Harper) Ben Harper and The Blind Boys of Alabama 18
Top 14 Contestant's Choice "One Dance" Drake 11 Safe
Victory Song "Cholo Love" Himself 13
Top 10 Disney Night "Remember Me" from Coco 3 Safe
Top 8 Queen Night "Under Pressure" Queen 5 Safe
Movie Duets "Mrs. Robinson" (with Walker Burroughs) Simon & Garfunkel 10
Top 6 Woodstock "White Rabbit" Jefferson Airplane 5 Safe
Showstoppers "Poison" Himself 8
Top 5 Bobby Bones' Choice "No Woman, No Cry" Bob Marley and the Wailers 3 Safe
Elton John Night "Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word" Elton John 8
Hero Dedication "Blesser" Himself 14
Finale Contestant's Choice "Millennial Love" Himself 3 Runner–up
"Tonight" Himself 6
"Out Loud" Himself 8

Post-American Idol edit

2019 to present edit

During the Hometown Heroes Concert in Pomona, California, the mayor of Pomona declared May 19, 2019 "Alejandro Aranda Day."[10] Following American Idol, Aranda went on a seven-date United States tour in July 2019.[11] Tickets went on sale on the morning of May 23, every show sold out in under 15 minutes.[12] American Idol judge Katy Perry jokingly begged Aranda to be a "roadie" on his tour.[11]

Aranda performed a free concert in Nashville, Tennessee on July 3, joined by Bizz & Everyday People.[8] 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.[13][14] "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.[15]

Aranda went on a 29 stop fall tour from October 10 to November 22,[16] and performed at several music festivals, including Lollapalooza in Chicago on August 3, 2019,[17] Life Is Beautiful Music & Art Festival in September 2019[18] and Austin City Limits Music Festival in October 2019.[19]

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.[20] Exit Form, his debut album, was released on November 22, 2019.[21] He was featured on Lollapalooza's 2020 online festival, which showed previously recorded concert sets.[22]

On March 2, 2021, he released a collaborative single with Nothing,Nowhere under the stage name Scarypoolparty.[23] 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.[24] The Beautiful Liar Tour with X Ambassadors and Taylor Janzen began on October 15, 2021.[25] 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.[26]

Personal life edit

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.[27]

Discography edit

Studio albums edit

List of studio albums, with selected details
Title Details Peak chart positions
US
Heat

[28]
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

Extended plays edit

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

Singles edit

Title Year Album
"Fading Away"[citation needed] 2018 Non-album single
"Out Loud"[citation needed] Exit Form
"10 Years"[citation needed]
"Tonight" 2019
"Cholo Love"
"Diamonds"
"Return2Sender"[citation needed] 2020 Doom Hologram
"Home"[citation needed] 2021 Non-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]

References edit

  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. ^ "Who Is Alejandro Aranda? 10 Facts About 'American Idol's Rising Star". Talent Recap. March 27, 2019. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
  4. ^ "Volume West Interview". Sirius XM Radio. April 9, 2020.
  5. ^ "Alejandro Aranda's American Idol Audition". YouTube.com. May 6, 2020. Archived from the original on July 1, 2020. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
  6. ^ "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.
  7. ^ Larsen, Peter (May 20, 2019). "Alejandro Aranda loses the 'American Idol' crown but wins in originality". Daily Bulletin. Retrieved June 13, 2019.
  8. ^ a b Preston, Hannah (June 12, 2019). "'American Idol' Runner-Up Alejandro Aranda Announces Free Concert". Newsweek. Retrieved June 13, 2019.
  9. ^ "The 'American Idol' finale ended in an upset. Katy Perry may have accidentally hinted at why". The Washington Post. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  10. ^ 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.
  11. ^ a b 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.
  12. ^ Santilli, MJ (May 23, 2019). "American Idol's Alejandro Aranda Tour Sold Out, Scalpers Asking Big Bucks". MJsBigBlog. Retrieved June 13, 2019.
  13. ^ Angermiller, Michelle (June 26, 2019). "Greyson Chance, 'Idol' Alums Gabby Barrett and Alejandro Aranda Sign Major Label Deals". Variety. Retrieved June 28, 2019.
  14. ^ Wass, Mike (June 28, 2019). "Scarypoolparty (AKA Alejandro Aranda) Drops Alt-Pop Anthem "Tonight"". Idolator. Retrieved June 28, 2019.
  15. ^ Polo, Maxamillion (August 9, 2019). "Scarypoolparty Pens a Deceptively Haunting Ballad in 'Cholo Love'". Ones to Watch. Retrieved August 19, 2019.
  16. ^ @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.
  17. ^ "Scarypoolparty". lollapalooza.com. Retrieved July 2, 2019.
  18. ^ "Life Is Beautiful Festival 2019". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved August 19, 2019.
  19. ^ Stith, Deborah (August 9, 2019). "ACL Fest adds new artists, more Third Eye Blind". Austin 360. Retrieved August 19, 2019.
  20. ^ Campbell, Rachel (October 9, 2019). "Scarypoolparty Rocks a Skate Shop in Gritty "Diamonds" Video". Alternative Press. Retrieved October 18, 2019.
  21. ^ Wass, Mike (November 5, 2019). "Scarypoolparty (AKA Alejandro Aranda) Announces Debut LP, 'Exit Form'". Idolator. Retrieved November 7, 2019.
  22. ^ "Lolla2020 online festival night". Chicago Reader. July 30, 2020. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
  23. ^ "nothing,nowhere. Has Collaborated With Scarypoolparty On Their New Track 'Universe' - News". Rock Sound Magazine. Retrieved March 3, 2021.
  24. ^ "Scarypoolparty's Monumental 21-Track Double Album 'The Act of Forgiveness ,' Available Today". Shore Fire Media. Retrieved August 28, 2021.
  25. ^ santilli, mj (June 15, 2021). "American Idol's Scarypoolparty to Open for X Ambassadors Fall 2021". mjsbigblog. Retrieved July 28, 2023.
  26. ^ May, Emily (October 28, 2021). "X Ambassadors – Scarypoolparty – Taylor Janzen // Louisville, KY // 10.23.21". Retrieved July 28, 2023.
  27. ^ "iHeartRadio – Launch Left Podcast – Portrait: Alejandro Aranda". iHeart.com. January 14, 2020. Archived from the original on July 1, 2020. Retrieved June 30, 2020.
  28. ^ "Scarypoolparty Chart History (Heatseekers Albums)". Billboard.