You would say that Jake Wesley Rogers is the love baby of Elton John and David Bowie, however that will be too simple. The Nashville-based glam-pop star might sport an angelic, puff-sleeved jumpsuit onstage with daring eyeshadow or glitter-encrusted sun shades, however he’s closely influenced by artists like Joni Mitchell and Brandi Carlile. The mixture is what’s made Rogers, 25, an professional at making each propulsive, arena-sized anthems and soul-baring energy ballads. Finally, what he needs his followers to get out of his music is “the sensation that they don’t seem to be alone,” he explains in a convention room at Lodge Fraye by Hilton in Nashville.
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Over the previous six years, Rogers has gone from nascent indie-pop star to signing a file cope with Side Information — the label helmed by songwriter Justin Tranter — in partnership with Warner Information. His profession has been steadily gaining traction ever since. This 12 months, he had a gap slot on tour with Panic! At The Disco and MARINA, landed a track ultimately credit of Billy Eichner’s film Bros and launched his newest EP LOVE in late October.
Forward of his present in Nashville, Rogers spoke to AP about life on tour, his affinity for trend and his dream collaboration.
You have been dubbed Gen Z’s Elton John, and you’ve got been interviewed by him. What has it been wish to be related to such an iconic artist?
Nicely, it first made me understand that I have to not suck fully. If Elton likes what you are doing, then you definately should be doing one thing proper as a result of he is the GOAT. However I feel it is essential to acknowledge the lineage of the whole lot, and that we do not create in a vacuum. What we’re making now’s due to individuals who have paved the best way, and that is how I view it. Individuals love Elton as a result of he makes them really feel extra magical. If you take heed to Elton and see him, you’re feeling such as you could be who you’re, and that is one thing that I desperately am making an attempt to do in my music by being who I’m. Toni Morrison says, “The perform of freedom is to free another person,” and I imagine that, and I feel that is why we love Elton. I feel that is why we love larger-than-life characters — as a result of it does that.
Inform me the story behind your newest single “Hindsight.”
I had written it with Justin Tranter, who signed me to my label deal at Warner. I write so many songs, and most of them nobody will ever hear for superb causes, and that was one the place I used to be like, “Oh, that is a very enjoyable track.” Then, Billy Eichner had texted Justin as a result of they had been ending his new film Bros. they usually wanted an finish credit score track, and he simply requested if he knew any younger LGBTQ+ artists. [Justin] was like, “Nicely, we wrote the track actually two days in the past, and [Billy] was like, “That is completely excellent. That is precisely what we wanted.” So it is a kind of superb timing issues. It is the top credit within the film Bros. We begin the set with it on this tour, and it offers a glimpse of who I’m, which is [someone who is] very emotional, however upbeat and hopeful.
What’s the most effective piece of recommendation Justin has handed on to you?
Greater than something, it is essential to have individuals who imagine in you. From the second I met him, he instilled a sense of “that is going to work. Your story ought to be advised.” I do not actually know if that is recommendation, however it’s important as a younger creator to have that feeling of “I am supposed to do that,” and “I can do that.”
One of many issues that makes you a very thrilling artist is your fashion. How have you ever been capable of experiment with totally different seems on tour?
Stage costumes are my favourite factor to create. I’ve three costumes on this tour, they usually’re all very totally different. One’s this angelic costume; the opposite one’s very devilish and crimson. It adjustments the power of the efficiency. What you put on adjustments how you’re feeling. This is the reason I really like dressing up as a result of it could actually carry extra confidence, and it could actually carry whimsy to the day. I really like carrying quite a lot of colours—simply making individuals smile, too, is enjoyable. Loads of occasions I appear like an artwork instructor retired in Florida, but I am a 25-year-old man.
You’ve partnered with Hilton and have been capable of keep at their resorts on tour. How has that made a distinction for an rising artist such as you?
Touring is a big expense, and to have a partnership like this proper now’s serving to all of us, the band. It is serving to us to know that we could be snug on the street as a result of we’re not on a tour bus but. So we’re within the van all day, and our backs damage lots. The beds are snug.
[Photo by Alex Stoddard]
You went to high school at Belmont, how have you ever been capable of expertise Nashville in another way by staying at a resort and visiting moderately than residing right here?
It’s bizarre staying in a resort right here as a result of I lived right here for 5 years, and once I’m right here I might stick with a buddy. However Nashville is sort of like an ex that I’ve to run into lots. And I am not likely mad about it, as a result of I am at all times to see how they’re doing, and I feel they’re only a deceive me too. I am simply gonna hold this metaphor going. I might have cherished you [Nashville] perpetually. However I feel it is we’re higher off as buddies.
Which artists or authors encourage your work?
I really feel extra influenced by authors. Walt Whitman electrifies me on a really deep, creative degree. Maya Angelou does, studying her memoirs across the time I began writing my story was actually essential. Joni Mitchell for a similar cause—her truth-telling—and Brandi Carlile, as effectively, for that cause. After I heard her album By the Means, I Forgive You for the primary time is across the similar time I began actually writing autobiographically and I do not suppose I’d have completed it had I not heard that file
Following your tour with Panic! At The Disco, do you will have plans to launch a full-length file?
I am completely engaged on the primary full size. I do not know when it’s going to come out, however it’s being labored on. I’d hope within the subsequent 12 months, for certain, and we’re engaged on my first headlining tour.
Who’s your dream collaboration?
Stevie Nicks. We’re manifesting that proper now.
