Rosas is the story of Damon Goodridge’s search for the elusive love that breezed in and out of his life one memorable Spanish evening. That chance encounter inspired a sound that reflects the euphoria, bewilderment, optimism and wistfulness only known by one who has loved and lost.

“Everything changed that night,” Damon confesses. “What I felt during those few hours in the cafe, on the dance floor and on the beach watching the sunrise was just pure being, an escape from the everyday worries that get me down. That’s what I’m trying to capture whether I’m working on a three-part harmony for a Foster The People mash-up or jotting down a thought in my journal. Mash-ups are still a thing, right?”

This series of events was the genesis of Pop Songs & The Search for Romance, the driving philosophy behind Rosas. Every part of the Rosas experience -- the original songs, remixes, instrumental scores, videos, images and musings -- aims for the timeless appeal of a well-constructed pop song, while tapping into the underlying desire people have for more meaningful moments. Such creative focus helps Damon make sense of his eclectic assortment of influences, ranging from The Smiths, Smashing Pumpkins and Muse to George Michael, Bruno Mars and Boyz II Men.

“You know,” Damon says with a grin, “sometimes new jack swing seems like the only proper way to recover from the workweek. Plus, I have always been more fascinated by depth and walls of harmony than being hip. Of course, that has made it a tad tricky to find a place for Rosas in the Southern California indie scene.”

The challenges of standing out in a prominent locale have not prevented Rosas from garnering attention from several communities of respected music lovers and creators:

- Finalist in a global SNOOP DOGG Remix Contest
- Honorable Mention in a global WEEZER Remix Contest
- Featured Artist on Grooveshark Breakthrough Radio
- Winner in the October 2011 Jelli Radio Opportunity (for the song “Red Walls”)
- Runner up in the November 2011 Jelli Radio Opportunity (for the song “Augustine”)

Drawing attention to such a personal story in the vast ocean of music on the Internet can be as daunting as trying to get someone to listen to a poem at a dubstep concert. So, Damon has relied on more intimate means of introducing people to Rosas by directly sharing anecdotes, music and visuals that convey the essence of Rosas. This approach, which began in November 2011, strives to make Rosas a more collective experience that reflects universal moments to which everyone can relate.

“Even as a child,” Damon recalls, “I was excited by the cinema life often brings us. It’s those moments that seem larger than life…those are what keeps us going. That those moments are occasionally interspersed with nostalgia, escapism, irrational fear, second-guessing, conformity and daydreaming makes them all the more sweet when they finally arrive.”