aron! Discusses Debut EP cozy you (and other nice songs), Blending Jazz and Nostalgia
- Hope Morgan
- Jun 14
- 3 min read
By: Hope Morgan
We joined °1824 for a cozy chat with aron! about his EP cozy you (and other nice songs).
From his childhood bedroom, wearing a knit sweater, aron! eagerly answered questions from press outlets. He seemed genuinely excited to talk about his music, commenting at the beginning that “it’s always crazy to be asked questions, that means you care to some degree.”
He told the story of the beginning of his musical journey, fondly reflecting on meeting his 80-year-old jazz teacher at a music store when he was about 10 or 11, and deciding from that moment he wanted to make music for the rest of his life.
He recalled lessons that went until midnight with his teacher, Stan, teaching more than just music, but life lessons too.
“It’s about so much more than the music, we’d have five hour lessons, and for five hours, he talked for maybe 80% of it.”
“One thing that he taught me is that you should try to balance it out, don’t get too obsessed with the music thing where you forget about your family or friends or your mental health.”
aron!’s self-confessed obsession with music from the 1930s and ’40s has deeply influenced his EP. He describes listening to popular music from that era as a way of understanding how music has evolved to what it is today.
His second single from the EP “table for two” is a humorous song about fearing being stood up on a date, and it feels like listening to an overthinker's internal monologue.
“I can’t be vulnerable for too long without making a joke,” he said with a smile while talking about the song.
“Maybe it’s a problem, but for now it’s a songwriting technique. I think that balance actually makes things mean more.” he reflected earnestly.
When asked if he struggles with creative block aron! said he thinks it’s a bit of a myth. To prove his point he disappeared off screen “I’ll be right back.” He returned with his guitar and played some chords and hummed some notes, “there’s so many things here that make songs, there’s so much to explore that the possibilities seem endless.”
The lead single for the EP “cozy you” is the title track that encapsulates the core idea of the EP. It’s a jazzy, cozy song that feels like being tucked under a big fluffy blanket with a cup of tea on a cold day. aron! describes it as him entering a “fantasy land and imagining having a wife and kids.”
aron! reflected that hobbies like drinking tea, reading, journaling, and of course, watching Gilmore Girls, “the coziest show ever made,” helped him encapsulate the cozy vibe for the EP.
Teaser videos for the EP have gained significant traction on Instagram, and aron! hopes to play a role in reintroducing jazz to his generation.
“We need more young people listening to jazz.” he said passionately while reflecting on his own power to shape the way young people today listen to jazz music.
But aron! doesn’t measure success by music sales or social media engagement, for him, simply being able to do what he loves, making music, is a sign of success.
“This is all that I’ve ever wanted to do, make music with my friends, for me I think I got the success that I wanted just from doing what I liked.”
Hearing aron! speak about his music was just like listening to his music, sincere, a little quirky, and full of soul. I’m looking forward to everything that comes next.
cozy you (and other nice songs) tracklist:
1. cozy you
2. table for two
3. i think about you lots
4. a life with you
5. i hate it
6. eggs in the morning
Born and raised in Charlotte, NC, aron! was introduced to classic rock by his parents but found his true passion through Guitar Hero, which led him to pick up a real guitar at eight. A chance mentorship with a jazz guitarist at Sam Ash sparked a love for jazz, while early gigs playing Nat King Cole and Sinatra at retirement homes honed his performance chops. He studied classical composition at UNC School of the Arts, then earned a full scholarship to the University of Miami, majoring in jazz voice and film scoring. Through it all, he fronted the indie pop band Sunny Side Up!, built a loyal following online, and in 2023, signed with Verve to debut his signature “cozy pop”—a nostalgic blend of jazz, vintage pop, and heartfelt storytelling.
