Aaron Rothko is a singer\/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist originally from New York, now living in New Orleans. He will be releasing his second album of introspective songs titled \u201cJoymaker\u201d on October 23, 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Says Aaron, \u201cThe year leading up to the realization of this album was marred by grief, isolation, and illnesses both physical and mental. And yet, it is a year I look back upon incredibly fondly. It\u2019s a year where I found an unexpected new home, falling in love with and in New Orleans, and learned more than I had in all four years of college (granted I never did the reading). \u2018Joymaker\u2019 is my way of making sense of having these incredibly positive and negative experiences in such a small span of time. The album follows no linear timeline, nor does it split this part of my life into good and bad; rather, it views it as a whole. There are no days where I only grieve, just as there are no days where I only feel secure, happy, and at home. These feelings coexist in me, they coexist in the album, and they coexist in each song itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This mix of powerful emotions is what led me to the idea of the \u2018Joymaker.\u2019 Someone who, even when gone, has such a strong presence and impact on one\u2019s life, that they still bring happiness just by thinking of them. The loss of someone important can be devastating, but one\u2019s life is better just for knowing them, and even in grief, one can still find joy. \u2018Joymaker\u2019 aims to find the beauty in these painful and difficult moments in hopes of allowing oneself some celebration as well.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cJoymaker\u201d is dedicated to Aaron\u2019s late Grandmother, who was an incredibly talented artist. She was always encouraging of his pursuit in music, and proved that great art could come from anywhere. As soon as he started recording, Aaron knew he wanted to use one of her paintings as the album cover. Aaron explains, \u201cI initially chose one of my favorite paintings of hers, a close-up of a lit match that hangs over my Grandparents\u2019 fireplace. But I later came across the print that I ultimately chose as the cover: an image of a woman staring out the window at a pine tree. Such a simple piece, but it stuck with me. It seemed only fitting\u2014a piece I never saw until after she died that was able to change my mind and deeply impact me. I\u2019m still learning new things about her, and her importance and influence in my life stays constant. The design of the lettering on the cover was done by my cousin, Sean Cohen, who like our Grandmother, is also an incredibly gifted artist. We both knew that creating art, and working with one another would be the best way to honor her, and he jumped on the idea without hesitation.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Aaron Rothko played music starting from a young age, and fell in love with songwriting as a teenager. Rothko began writing more seriously in his time at college, where he started to hone his songwriting skills and developed his own style and sound. Rothko\u2019s music is best described as soothing and melancholy, with rich guitar sounds and heartfelt lyrics that utilize clever wordplay. \u2018Joymaker\u2019 is Rothko\u2019s second full-length album, his first being \u2018Man In The Tall Grass\u2019 (2021), as well as a six song EP titled \u2018Except\/I Love You\u2019 (2020). When not recording, Aaron is a music teacher, home gardener, and a proud dog dad. He studied Jazz Performance on Upright Bass at Vassar College, where he graduated in 2020.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In closing Aaron had these words to say about \u201cJoymaker,\u201d \u201cThis is an album mostly of introspection, and insight that I\u2019ve found for myself might not be true for everyone. But I encourage everyone to do some self-reflection, and consider the ones around you. Go to therapy. Call your mother. Donate to abortion funds and vote.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Track list:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 1. Joymaker\u2014lyrics and music by Aaron Rothko<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2. Jo Our Girl\u2014lyrics and music by Aaron Rothko<\/p>\n\n\n\n 3. Gentlemen\u2014lyrics and music by Aaron Rothko<\/p>\n\n\n\n 4. Quite Some Time\u2014lyrics and music by Aaron Rothko<\/p>\n\n\n\n 5. (Slow Down), Skylark\u2014lyrics by Aaron Rothko, music by Aaron Rothko and Rachel Snyderman<\/p>\n\n\n\n 6. I Miss New York in Fall\u2014lyrics and music by Aaron Rothko<\/p>\n\n\n\n 7. Words to Myself\u2014lyrics and music by Aaron Rothko<\/p>\n\n\n\n 8. NYNO\u2014lyrics and music by Aaron Rothko<\/p>\n\n\n\n 9. Ancient Egypt\u2014lyrics and music by Aaron Rothko<\/p>\n\n\n\n All songs mixed by Aaron Rothko, except Gentlemen, which was mixed by Aaron Rothko and Tieren Costello.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mastered by Michael Harvey, NOLA Recording Studios<\/p>\n\n\n\n Album artwork by Rita Cohen. Design by Sean Cohen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Release Date: October 23rd<\/p>\n\n\n\n For more information:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n