Roll Acosta

The band recently returned from San Francisco, where they recorded their new full-length album This Dreamt Existence under the guidance of indie rock musician and producer John Vanderslice at his studio, Tiny Telephone... hear the full interview at the link below - Arizona Public Media

Having honed the band's acoustic pop sound on two EPs, Tucson's Roll Acosta delivers a well-executed debut record, with 10 catchy, sweeping songs built from moments of rising and falling drama...
- Tucson Weekly

I first met Roll Acosta almost two years ago when they were performing at Plush. It was then that I fell in love with their musical style as they performed songs off their EP The Dawn. Jacob, Kevin, and Andre are able to draw you in with their musical gifts... - Tempo Magazine

Tucson indie poppers, Roll Acosta recruited John Vanderslice to produce its forthcoming debut full length album, This Dreamt Existence. Vanderslice's touch can be heard in the album's intricate instrumentation, which falls somewhere between fun.'s acrobatic melodies and Cold War Kids' strained funk, giving these catchy songs have plenty of get-stuck-in-your-head potential... - New Times Phoenix

Artist: Tucson three-piece Roll Acosta

Title: The Dawn EP

Basics: Lead by their namesake Jake (Roll), Roll Acosta pound the sensibilities with light, airy rock/pop music.

Their sound takes a lot of credit from Acosta's vocals, which are reminiscent of John Ondrasik -- better known to the world as Five For Fighting. As well, Roll Acosta has a rather noble mission statement that reads as such: "We spend hours making the music you want to hear, and love to take you through the same experiences we get from the great language of music."

Well, it's not what I, personally, want to hear ("but it's your job, numbnuts") but you have to love such a strong proclamation.
Best Song: I have to go with the titular "The Dawn" on this one. It's a complex offering that perfectly incorporates what Roll Acosta strives to accomplish: Acosta's vocals, Andre Gressieux's upbeat drumming and striking violin playing -- courtesy of Kevin Frederick. "The Dawn" proves that a toned down sound doesn't necessarily have to be watered down -- that is, lighter fair can still have a grandiose atmosphere if the instruments hit in resplendent harmony. Trust me, on "The Dawn," they most certainly do.


Worst Song: It's not so much the worst song, more like the one that struggles the most, but following "The Dawn" proves to be too much of a hill to climb for "Not Alone." Acosta's vocals are forced to carry the song, and that proves to be something not quite achievable. The song has its charm, but its all-over-the-map structure proves to be a bit too off-putting.

Suggestions: There's not much to really say about Roll Acosta. They have a pretty solid sound that is very refreshing to hear in this YAFI game. As well, their EP registered with Gracenote once it was popped into my computer. I cannot stress enough how professional-feeling this is for a local, unsigned band. If you want to walk the walk, you have to make the effort to seem professional in every detail of the band -- and that includes a CD with a proper tracklist.

Grade: B-

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Michael Lopez
You Asked For It
c/o Phoenix New Times
1201 E. Jefferson Street Phoenix , AZ 85002 - Phoenix New Times Blogs: You Asked For It

Roll Acosta, a local indie pop band, will perform one of their biggest concerts to date at Plush on July 6 with Carbon Leaf for the release of their EP, "The Dawn."
The self-managed trio, composed of Roll (Jake) Acosta, Andre Gressieux and Kevin Frederick, formed when Acosta, a UA alumnus, was in search of a pianist and made a post on Craigslist. He found no pianist but instead, drummer Gressieux and then later strings and violin player Frederick.
The group possesses an indie pop groove and catchy melodies, while their lyrics encompass relatable subjects such as heartache, reality and candor. With a smooth sound similar to a blend of the Avett Brothers and Andrew Bird, the trio works together in harmony. The band would not be whole without the accent of the violin paired with Acosta's velvety voice or Gressieux on drums as the heartbeat of the group.
"We literally spend hours writing the perfect melodies or lines that seem to suspend the most important parts of a song for the audience to experience," Acosta said. "We really feel if we can't make our songs ‘all inclusive' in the experience of our music, then we are aiming wrong."
The band is performing after special guest Carbon Leaf. - Arizona Daily Wildcat

A fairly recent addition to Tucson’s music scene is alternative pop band Roll Acosta. The charming trio consists of Jacob Acosta (vocals, guitar, piano, keyboards), Andre Gresieux (drums, electric piano) and Kevin Frederick (violin, mandolin).

The 4-track disk opens with Beating on the Door, a song that would easily be pimped by a major label as a chart topper. The tune’s opening notes jingle like a lullaby, subsequently breaks into rock and then alternates between the two throughout. It’s super catchy and should have the audiences singing along in no time.

The other three songs, Whirlwind, The Dawn, Not Alone, are gorgeous mellow tunes that are orchestral in composition and execution.

Roll Acosta takes the stage at Club Congress on Wed, Oct 20 at 8pm. $5 cover. Preview their tunes at
MySpace.com/rollacostamusic - Zocalo Tucson Magazine

Jacob (Roll) Acosta is a singer-songwriter and classically trained guitarist who fronts an acoustic folk-pop trio that bears his nickname. After recording Three self-produced albums, Acosta has joined with drummer Andre Gressieux and strings player Kevin Frederick to record this sweet four-song recording with production by Craig Schumacher, engineer to the stars, at Tucson's famous and busy Wavelab Studio. The EP is available from the band or on iTunes.

Acosta's vocals are friendly and warm, capable in limber falsetto, playful in the midrange and with just enough brooding in his lower register. He sings earnest, heartfelt songs, often about the tribulations of the heart and human consequence, with an emphasis on unflinching honesty and the sense of learning from his mistakes.

The title track here shows Acosta's range, and is enlivened by an energetic arrangement focusing on the jaunty violin of Frederick, who also plays mandolin elsewhere. Tasteful piano and organ fill out the spaces in some of the tunes, as well.

"Beating on the Door" is a charming, self-deprecatory rumination on a lost love filled with memorable nuanced lyrics such as "I still cross the street looking both ways for you" or "My mind keeps telling my heart, 'Get out of the way.'" The gentle energy of the melody and bouncy rhythm might seem to belie the sadness of the lyrics, but the contrast creates poignancy. The highlight is the lovely "Whirlwinds," which has an aching melancholy that recalls the richness of alternative pop of the 1980s and early '90s. More, please. - Tucson Weekly