Writer & Interviewer: Carrie Bergan

Alejandro Aranda, better known to the world as Scarypoolparty, is getting ready to hit the road on the Hondo World Tour, which starts in Chicago at Reggie’s. He is also most recently known as the runner-up on season 17 of American Idol. But his story of how he became who he is starts further back, busking on the streets for people passing by and experimenting with different sounds. A couple of years into this routine, he posted an Instagram video covering a song by an artist he really admired, Twin Shadow. Somehow that video made its way to the man himself, George William Lewis Jr. This was the moment that solidified it all for him because he was given the tools and inspiration to chase a dream that many would consider pointless. Aranda was given everything he needed and even landed his first gig.

He toured with Twin Shadow several times after that and was offered spots on television shows like The Voice. He turned down that opportunity because, as he says, “I’m not equipped to play covers and that stuff.” Aranda proved, though, that you do not need to play covers to become successful on a talent show. Not long after that, he was invited to audition for American Idol.

Aranda used this opportunity to learn and experiment even more because he went in not expecting to be selected. He wanted to see where life would take him, if only for a chance to grow, improve his techniques, and learn more. He recalls that the biggest takeaway from being on the show was understanding the learning curve of the music industry.

Aranda says, “Trying to navigate the music business side instead of just a TV show. I had no experience with a major label, but I had to learn quickly. There was a major dynamic shift after leaving the TV show. Artists go through it, signing a big deal and thinking their problems are solved, or that they have time to figure it out.”

I asked whether he would try it again or be open to other shows like The Masked Singer or Building the Band now that he has gone through the experience. His short answer is that if it were focused on being a reality TV show without the business aspect, he would do it again. It is interesting to learn that American Idol is as much a business as it is a reality show because many people assume these programs are scripted and manufactured solely for drama.

Every artist has a different method when it comes to the songwriting process, and out of everyone I have interviewed, no one has given the same answer. There is no right way to create art, and I love being able to learn about each artist’s process. Aranda definitely has one of the most open and free-form approaches. He has emphasized that he enjoys different genres and styles, which keeps him from being defined by a single idea. If you were not aware, he also plays in a project started by Shavo Odadjian, the bassist from System of a Down, called Seven Hours After Violet. It is entirely different from the music that Scarypoolparty has released, as the project is a heavy metal band. The supergroup features Left To Suffer’s vocalist Taylor Barber alongside Michael Montoya and Josh Johnson of Winds of Plague. I love it when artists collaborate outside their primary projects and explore different creative directions. 

I did ask about the name origins of Scarypoolparty and Seven Hours After Violet. I always love the stories behind different stage names, and Scarypoolparty turned out to be a very spontaneous choice.

He said, “Well I needed a stage name and I was playing a pool party so I was Scarypoolparty.”

It is little details like this that make an artist unique. Sometimes the best moments happen without overthinking them. However, I will leave the lore behind Seven Hours After Violet as a secret for the group. Maybe one day the story behind it will be told, but it's not coming from me.

Aranda notes that his roots are more connected to the heavier sounds of hardcore and punk music, so being invited to join this project was not a challenge for him. However, he does think the contrast between his solo music and the band feels strange at times, as he has often felt like the odd one out. He has hinted at the possibility of returning to those heavier and more aggressive roots as he begins creating music under his own name rather than under Scarypoolparty. So many artists today are placed in a box, and the moment they want to branch out, fanbases can erupt because it is “not the [name] they know and love.”

I think people sometimes forget that artists are human too, with the ability to make mistakes, change, and grow. Aranda shows what it can mean to embrace experimentation and pursue different creative paths while remaining open to out-of-the-ordinary experiences.

He is getting ready to adventure out on his fourth headlining tour, and he is excited to be blessed with the opportunities to continue making music. There are new cities he hasn’t played in, new fans to meet, and always new stories to come from his travels.

If you’re looking for a truly authentic and heartfelt experience, you cannot go wrong with checking out Alejandro Aranda on tour very soon. Get yourself a ticket and be ready for an amazing time of music and community. 

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