“I’ve been writing songs ever since I picked up the guitar. It’s always been very natural. As natural as breathing.” Last we heard from David Rosales was in 2013. He was out on the road and in the vineyards of California playing with his Americana duo, David & Olivia, as they were promoting their debut EP, On the Sea. And in the year prior, we were introduced to him via his debut solo release, Smile. “I find that I get really creative and catch a writing bug around the Fall,” explains Rosales, “I don’t know what it is, maybe it’s that I was born around that time, but I just get into this writing groove and settle in with a good batch of songs.” Well, this past Fall was no different. He holed up at home in Huntington Beach, CA with a pen, notebook, guitar and his voice and began to write. “I don’t censor myself when I write. I write good songs. I write bad songs. I write whatever comes to mind — any style really. You never know if that horrid song you just wrote needed to come out to get you to the best song you’ve ever written.” After a month of writing and organizing, Rosales came up for air and began fine tuning the songs during live performances. “I’m a big believer in sussing material out in a live setting,” says Rosales. “I’m forced to commit to playing or singing a part that I might be on the fence about in a certain way. It’s very instinctual at this point. I can immediately tell what works and what doesn’t. The audience never lies.” The end result is Rosales’ sophomore solo release, Along the Way. Over the course of this 7-song EP, Rosales mixes a broad sonic palate rooted in American folk, blues and country. With the help of NightOwl Recorders’ producing partners, musicians and friends, Matt Grundy & Paul Clark (Donavon Frankenreiter), the end result is something very special. “Matt & Paul, really did a great job with the material. They collectively have a great ear and sound vision to reach each song’s potential. They’re both incredible musicians as well. Collaborating with them is inspiring and filled with endless possibilities. They get where I’m coming from and run with it. They know when to push and when to hold back on ideas. It’s all part of the process. It’s all for the good of the song.” The writing, recording, touring is all very “addictive,” admits Rosales. Perhaps that is why he has released a collection of work every year, for the last 3 years. “I’m getting comfortable with the fact that I like to be busy. I’m finding a good balance and rhythm with my music and family life. I love to be out adventuring [over 160 performances in 2013], and yet I love being at home with my wife and daughter. There’s a lot I miss, yet there’s also a lot that I bring back and add. I’ve got a solid support group of family and friends that believe in what I’m doing, just as much as I do. That has been the difference. It’s been a long journey, and to think this all started with a guitar my grandfather had given me at 11 years old, is crazy. Here I am 32, with enough scars and fond memories of a past filled with bands, tours and experiences to finally feel at ease in pursuing my dream the way I was meant to. For that, I am eternally grateful.”