Roses & Cigarettes formed in Los Angeles in 2013 when the country cover band that Jenny Pagliaro was singing in auditioned Angela Petrilli for a vacant guitar position. Pagliaro and Petrilli immediately bonded over their desire to perform original material and similar tastes in music – from the classics like Fleetwood Mac, the Eagles and Bonnie Raitt; to more contemporary artists like Patty Griffin, Sheryl Crow and Miranda Lambert. It was a mutual love of singer-songwriter Ray LaMontagne and his song Roses and Cigarettes that inspired the name of the band.
When the girls released their debut album in May of 2015, Jenny and Angela were eager to promote it by hitting the road and playing the songs live. Those plans were put on hold in early July when Pagliaro was diagnosed with Stage II breast cancer, and immediately began treatment. Jenny underwent two surgeries, 8 rounds of chemo and radiation only to have the cancer return again in September of 2016 – just prior to the band’s west coast tour. The tour and shows went on, and upon returning to LA, Pagliaro once again entered another round of grueling treatment. Despite a Stage IV diagnosis, the new treatment has been effective and Jenny is finally seeing her health start to improve. She knows she won’t ever be cured of the disease, but Pagliaro feels that making music with Roses & Cigarettes is the best medicine of all. “I have to take care of myself and stay healthy – that’s my priority, but my music and the band will be an important part of that healing process.”
Roses & Cigarettes’ music is an eclectic blend of Roots, Rock, Americana, Country and Pop – the perfect recipe for the classic California sound. The band has sold out shows at Harvelle’s in Santa Monica and Second Stage at Hotel Café in Hollywood; and headlined Pappy & Harriet’s in the high desert. Roses & Cigarettes have supported Jim Lauderdale, Luther Dickinson, Marc Broussard, Radney Foster, Elizabeth Cook, Billy Bob Thornton and the Boxmasters, The Record Company and Amanda Shires among others. Their music has been featured on KLOS FM and KCSN FM in Los Angeles; and Pagliaro and Petrilli have endorsements from Fender Guitars, Martin Guitars and D’Addario guitar strings.
Roses & Cigarettes are currently in the studio in LA recording an acoustic record, which is due out later this year. The band’s self-titled debut album is available on iTunes, Apple Music, Spotify, Pandora and most other digital outlets; and on their website, www.rosesandcigarettes.com.
