Midnight Navy brings Chicano soul to Austin
Courtesy of Midnight Navy
Midnight Navy’s sound offers a rich fusion of Latin indie pop, Chicano soul and alternative R&B, shaped by his upbringing in a close-knit family deeply connected to their Mexican roots. He said his childhood was filled with music ranging from Pharrell Williams to rock bands like AC/DC. Alongside these genres, traditional Mexican songs, which echoed through family gatherings and summer trips to Mexico, created a vibrant musical environment that helped shape Rosales’ artistic identity.
“I used to make him a lot of burnt CDs when I was younger, and I would include a lot of hip hop,” said Angelica Rosales, Navy’s older sister. “And with his lyrics … (he includes) things that we would do as a family. … In one of his songs, he has our parents talking about relationships at the very beginning. He took that from one of the conversations that he recorded.”
Midnight Navy’s musical journey took root in middle school, where he found himself drawn to the saxophone. Playing in the school band, he immersed himself in a world of sound, exploring different genres and building a growing album collection. His older brother, Daniel Rosales, fueled much of that inspiration as a dedicated musician who earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree in music performance. Midnight Navy said his brother’s skill and commitment to his craft left a lasting impression on him and helped shape his sound.
“I started playing (the guitar) in seventh grade, and I remember he would want to sing along,” Daniel said. “It’s really nice to see as a brother the way he’s basically taken on things that we’ve done — and things that our family has done — and he’s been able to do it in his own way.”
This summer, Midnight Navy said he stepped back from full band performances to give his bandmates and longtime fans a chance to recharge. Yet his desire to keep music alive in an intimate setting led him to create a series of stripped-down mini-concerts. Accompanied by his guitar, he offers pared-back versions of his songs alongside loungy, jazzy bossa nova numbers that rarely surface in his larger shows. As a space for musical exploration and growth, these performances provide audiences with a raw, unplugged glimpse into his artistry.
Alongside his live shows, Midnight Navy dedicates his time to crafting his debut album, which he said he hopes to release next spring. This upcoming project showcases his growth as an artist and continues to explore themes of identity and community, all deeply shaped by his family and cultural heritage.
“I hope people feel inspired and feel good,” Navy said. “I want people to listen to my music and just feel what they (are) meant to feel, whether they relate to my story or not.”
This article was written for The Daily Texan the official newspaper of The University of Texas at Austin
