You could possibly say that Jake Wesley Rogers is the love youngster of Elton John and David Bowie, however that may be too straightforward. 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 mix is what’s made Rogers, 25, an skilled at making each propulsive, arena-sized anthems and soul-baring energy ballads. Finally, what he desires 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 take care of 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 in the long run 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 vogue and his dream collaboration.
You have been dubbed Gen Z’s Elton John, and you have 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 need to not suck utterly. If Elton likes what you are doing, then you definitely should be doing one thing proper as a result of he is the GOAT. However I feel it is vital to acknowledge the lineage of all the pieces, and that we do not create in a vacuum. What we’re making now could be due to individuals who have paved the way in which, and that is how I view it. Individuals love Elton as a result of he makes them really feel extra magical. Once you take heed to Elton and see him, you are feeling such as you may be who you’re, and that is one thing that I desperately am attempting 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 wonderful timing issues. It is the top credit within the film Bros. We begin the set with it on this tour, and it provides a glimpse of who I’m, which is [someone who is] very emotional, however upbeat and hopeful.
What’s one of the best piece of recommendation Justin has handed on to you?
Greater than something, it is vital 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 informed.” I do not actually know if that is recommendation, but it surely’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 type. How have you ever been in a position to experiment with completely different seems on tour?
Stage costumes are my favourite factor to create. I’ve three costumes on this tour, they usually’re all very completely different. One’s this angelic costume; the opposite one’s very devilish and pink. It adjustments the vitality of the efficiency. What you put on adjustments how you are feeling. Because of this I really like dressing up as a result of it may possibly deliver extra confidence, and it may possibly deliver whimsy to the day. I really like sporting plenty of colours—simply making folks smile, too, is enjoyable. Numerous instances I seem like an artwork trainer retired in Florida, but I am a 25-year-old man.
You’ve partnered with Hilton and have been in a position to keep at their motels on tour. How has that made a distinction for an rising artist such as you?
Touring is a large expense, and to have a partnership like this proper now could be serving to all of us, the band. It is serving to us to know that we may be comfy on the highway as a result of we’re not on a tour bus but. So we’re within the van all day, and our backs damage rather a lot. The beds are comfy.
[Photo by Alex Stoddard]
You went to highschool at Belmont, how have you ever been in a position to expertise Nashville in a different way by staying at a lodge and visiting relatively than residing right here?
It’s bizarre staying in a lodge right here as a result of I lived right here for 5 years, and once I’m right here I might stick with a pal. However Nashville is form of like an ex that I’ve to run into rather a lot. 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 preserve this metaphor going. I may have beloved you [Nashville] endlessly. However I feel it is we’re higher off as associates.
Which artists or authors encourage your work?
I really feel extra influenced by authors. Walt Whitman electrifies me on a really deep, creative stage. Maya Angelou does, studying her memoirs across the time I began writing my story was actually vital. Joni Mitchell for a similar motive—her truth-telling—and Brandi Carlile, as properly, for that motive. Once I heard her album By the Manner, 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 executed 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, but it surely’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.
