The Ariel Jean Band
- Genre
- Country
- Websites
- Awards and Nominations
- SAMMIES 2020 Nominee★ Country/Americana/Alt-Country ★
- SAMMIES 2019 Nominee★ Country/Americana/Alt-Country ★
- SAMMIES 2018 Nominee★ Country/Americana/Alt-Country ★
- Musicians
- Amber Joy — vocals
- Andy Gomez
- Ariel Jean — acoustic guitar, vocals
- Aubrey Anne — vocals
- Cliff MiddleBrooke
- Share
- Contact
- abosserman2@gmail.com
Q & A
As a child growing up, music surrounds us. What type of music did you hear the most back then? How does it differ from what you listen to now?
01.24.20
Funny, my parents played a lot of music by Bread, The Beatles, Chicago, etc. and to this day I’ll play one of those stations on Amazon music just to feel how I felt back then for a little while. I have memories, back at home, my dad playing guitar and our family singing along and listening. It’s a good feeling. Truthfully, I listen to every type of music depending on my mood or what I might be going through. I love and can appreciate it all.
Can you describe a moment in your musical career, where you felt like you truly reached somebody or made a difference?
01.24.20
The Ariel Jean Band has put on and participated in many fundraisers to help the local community. Recently, the band helped a family of four boys who’s mother was diagnosed with breast cancer shortly after having her fourth child. The band raised about a $1,000 for the family through social media and donating tips from gigs. Ariel also privately donated breast milk to the mother so she could feed the baby with natural breast milk.
Do you have regular gigs around town?
01.24.20
We play at many local clubs regularly. PowerHouse Pub, Valencia Club, Opera House Saloon, Crawdads, Pistol Petes and Sting Rayz. We also play at many fairs and festivals come summertime such as the California State Fair, County Fair, Gold Country fair and more.
Favorite colors?
01.24.20
Pink!
Favorite guitar player?
01.24.20
Andy Gomez.
Favorite SAMMIES story?
01.24.20
The one where we finally win! Ha!
How did it first start?
01.24.20
I started writing music when I was 12 years old and it has grown and become a huge part of my life. One that I could never let go of.
How do you describe your interviews to people?
01.24.20
Personal, real, authentic and just a girl trying to do the thing she loves most. Play guitar and sing.
How do you describe your music to people?
01.24.20
My music has a sense of humor to it. Some people might not understand it. Other people, it speaks to them. My songs always have a story or meaning behind the writing. My song “Heart Beat” was inspired by the first time I ever heard my daughter’s heart beat. “Mama Knock You Out” was written for a friend of mine, who while checking out in the grocery lane her baby began to cry, and a woman behind her said, “see this is why you shouldn’t come to the grocery store unless you have help.” My friend said she wanted to respond with, “Mama knock you out!” I told her “Dude, I’m gonna write a song about that lady at the grocery store!” BAM! A song was born. My songs will make you laugh, make you cry and get you dancing out of your seat. It’s a good mixture and each song is very different in its own way.
How do you feel about musical award competitions?
01.24.20
Ugh. I think its cool to recognize talent and people’s hard work, but I have never enjoyed competitions, especially when it comes to people’s art. Its all beautiful and different and hard to truly compare in such a way. I am very impressed with the Sacramento music scene though and the amount of talent this city has!
If you could be any character from history, who would it be?
01.24.20
My great grandmother who was a women's rights activist!
If you were stranded on a deserted island, what animal would you be?
01.24.20
One that could swim and go on land. Diverse!
If your band was a movie, what movie would it be?
01.24.20
A Star Is Born … but maybe that’s just because I’m obsessed with the movie and really has nothing to do with a reflection of our band, haha!
Is there a central theme to your band's music?
01.24.20
Girl power, kick-ass rockin’ American country!
Name a pet peeve.
01.24.20
Crumbs left on the counter, lol!
Name a recent personal food trend.
01.24.20
Thai food.
Tell us about how the band formed.
01.24.20
My sisters and I grew up singing together and we used to literally pretend signing autographs for fans. We made that come true. So I’d have to say that we started way back then, we only began putting it into an active band once we got old enough to perform.
Tell us about this creative project. What is it?
01.24.20
In 2019 I had my first child. Dropped an EP with seven brand new songs, one music video “Hit Man” that was nominated for a California Music Video Award, we created a female lead concert series at the Opera House Saloon featuring female singers and songwriters in the Sacramento area to uplift and support the women of NorCal. Our band opened at the Summer Country Music Festival in Sonoma county for headliner Tim Mcgraw. Our original music was featured in Nashville and locally is played by several DJs in clubs in downtown Sacramento and has been featured on Fox 40, and local radio stations such as the Bull. It is the least to say 2019 was a whirlwind of us working extremely hard for no reason other than this is what we love to do. Write, perform and share the stage with wonderful musicians and friends.
Tell us about your best gig in Sac.
01.24.20
My favorite gig this year in the Sacramento area was NYE at the Opera House Saloon. Every table sold out. We had a close friend and fan propose to his girlfriend on the stage around midnight. It couldn’t have been more perfect!
Tell us about your worst gig.
01.24.20
No such thing! Every gig is an amazing opportunity to grow and do what we love.
Tell us about yourself.
01.24.20
Well I’ve been married almost seven years and have a 13-month-old girl named Chevelle Taylor. My husband, Chevelle and I live in Loomis. I started writing music at a very young age and then learned to play guitar at 12 to begin writing my own songs on the guitar. That passion grew as I got older and more confident and got over the stage fright.
What are your musical goals?
01.24.20
Keep on playing no matter what.
What artist or band are you a little embarrassed to love, and why?
01.24.20
You know what? I totally own what I Love!! I am not embarrassed by it.
What did you want to be when you were 7?
01.24.20
A rock star.
What do you sing in the shower? (Be honest.)
01.24.20
Well, currently probably random kid songs that get stuck in my head from having a 13 month old who loves music and has a million toys that play songs!
What drives you to keep interviewing even though the music industry can be so harsh?
01.24.20
Life is harsh, get over it and keep doing what you love. Nothing else matters than to love people around you, and continuing on with your dreams and hobbies that make you who you are. Haters gonna hate. Thanks for that reminder Taylor Swift!
What message do you hope to give with your music?
01.24.20
That life needs a little humor in it so we can all be a little bit happier in a dark time.
What question would you like to ask your fellow bandmates?
01.24.20
How does this guitar make my ass look?
What was the first song you learned to play?
01.24.20
"Blackbird" by The Beatles.
What's a big musical inspiration that would most surprise your fans?
01.24.20
I don't think much surprises my fans any more, but some of the Christian music out there definitely inspires me.
What's next for the band?
01.24.20
Were hoping to release more videos this year! I’m always writing so we will most likely have some more new music and material for you all to listen to.
What's next for you?
01.24.20
Hopefully dinner after I finish writing this interview!
What's something most of your friends don't know about you?
01.24.20
I’m very insecure.
What's the best part of this experience?
01.24.20
The people you meet and the way performing makes me feel.
What's the story behind the band name?
01.24.20
ME! Tah Dah!
What's the story behind the name?
01.24.20
I started The Ariel Jean Band solo and then asked my sisters to join later on. The name became well known so we kept it which seemed okay since I’m the singer-songwriter.
What's the worst part of this experience?
01.24.20
Judgment from others.
What's your favorite jam from the '90s?
01.24.20
Spice Girls, any of their songs!
What's your favorite local artist/group?
01.24.20
Island of Black and White.
What’s your favorite song to perform live right now?
01.24.20
My favorite song to sing right now live would be the piano version of my original song “Cowgirls Don’t Cry” and “Tennessee Whiskey” by Chris Stapleton.
When did you play your first gig in Sac?
01.24.20
2015.
Where do you see yourself in ten years?
01.24.20
Continuing on loving my family, friends and fans and hopefully still playing music no matter what failures or success I have!
Who are your biggest influences?
01.24.20
Miranda Lambert, Maren Morris, Gretchen Wilson, Lindsay Ell, John Mayer, Chris Stapleton and Shania Twain.
Who first inspired you to play music?
01.24.20
My Dad. Anyone who comes to see us perform knows him!
Who is your secret star crush?
01.24.20
My husband. He is always my crush.
Words to live by?
01.24.20
“God knows that without risk we can’t grow. He didn’t promise us a safe life, but said he would give us a dangerous, engaged and courageous one if we take him at his word.” — Bob Goff
You're given a magic wand. What do you do with it?
01.24.20
Make love conquer all.
Back to Winners
Contact Us
In-person:
Sacramento News & Review
1124 Del Paso Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95815
1124 Del Paso Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95815