Jake Wesley Rogers
Interview By Eli Goodwin
A celebration of love, pride, and the importance of being genuine, Jake Wesley Rogers is one of the most topical artists to cover this June. Over a nine-year professional tenure in the music industry, the artist continues to make his mark with soulful vocals and emotionally overflowing lyricism. Rogers boasts an impressive catalog; he’s spent the last five years working on writing and releasing a series of tellingly honest singles, many of which deal with the complexities of his romantic relationships. Honesty is the best policy, for Rogers’ candid songwriting has earned him worldwide acclaim; the artist’s career soared to even greater heights following his signing with Facet and Warner Records earlier this year! Already earning himself close to 300,000 monthly listeners on Spotify, the up-and-comer is back with his latest single, “Momentary,” which is out now! We recently spoke with Jake Wesley Rogers about how his identity has shaped his music, some of his career goals, and more!
Tell us a little bit about yourself! How did you start making music?
I started making music when I was around eleven or twelve. I was always drawn towards it, starting with playing piano and guitar when I was much younger. I’ve always been really, really loud, too. I’ve been singing before I could talk. When I was in middle school, Lady Gaga was just coming out and so was Adele and I felt sort of shepherded to songwriting by these fierce storytellers and artists.
An undoubtedly large part of your music is your queerness. How do you feel it impacts your work, from all angles?
Well, I grew up in Missouri, in there heart of the Bible Belt, and although I found a lot of safety within my nuclear family and friends, it’s rough out there. I don’t really need to tell anyone that. From that place, I’ve had to retrain my brain to love, and be proud of my love—in my art, my mission is to show my freedom and enable others to find theirs.
You’re also quite admirably an outspoken queer activist. How do you think you became the voice of justice for the LGBTQ+ community that you are?
I don’t really feel like I had a choice. If there was a choice, it was to share my story truthfully and authentically because representation really, really matters. I am writing songs I wish I had heard when I was young.
This summer’s looking pretty hot for you, especially with a gig at Lollapalooza. How does it feel to finally get back into performing live?
Oh, my GOD I’m SO excited to perform again. Performing is my favorite part of the entire artist calling—I didn’t really realize how much I missed it this past year until I started booking shows again and I felt my body start buzzing. I write songs in order to perform them. I can’t wait to get back out there and put on some SHOWS.
I’m in love with your newest single “Middle of Love.” It’s such a feel-good song. Can you describe it in three words?
Oh, thank you so much! I’d say…honest, technicolor, and fun(eral).
“Middle of Love” Album Artwork / Click to Listen!
You’ve displayed an immeasurably wide range as an artist when it comes to the mood you set. From the aforementioned glee of “Middle of Love” to the solemnity of your cover of The Pretenders hit “I’ll Stand By You” and your original song “The Pretender,” does your songwriting process ever change when you’re aiming to convey different messages?
I will tell you a secret—all my songs are ballads, some are just faster than the others ones! But really, I only write what is honest in the moment, sometimes that’s mournful and sometimes that’s high energy. It all comes from the same source.
Where do you usually find inspiration when writing songs?
Life. It’s everywhere. It’s subtle. I keep a little notepad with me always, jotting down anything that catches my eye. I read a lot, I love a lot, I mess up a lot. I do my best to boil it all down to art.
A Jake Wesley Rogers album is currently high in demand but low in supply. Is one in the works? What do you wish to achieve with your first album?
Hahaha, you’re right. And yes there sure is. I don’t if I’m allowed to get specifics, but I promise, I promise—I won’t disappoint.
Your songs are raw and vulnerable, which is certainly part of the charm of your music. Which song of yours has been the most difficult to write, simply because of the personal nature of the content?
The true songs are easy to write because they come from a different universe. It’s the ones that you try too damn hard to make and sound “cool”—those take so much energy. Anytime I write from the heart, it’s easy. But getting there isn’t easy. You have to get out of your own way. You have to tell your brain to take a break. When I started writing songs when I was really young, I used he pronouns in love songs before I had even come out. It’s always been my safe place.
Of course, you don’t write every song you sing; your debut included covers. Why did you choose to start with covers?
To be honest, that was a decision based on a publishing deal I was in at the moment. The company wanted me to release covers while I worked on my first EP. I chose those that most resonated with me.
Do you feel as if you can give a more evocative, real performance when you’re singing music you wrote, or is there not much of a difference?
I think the reason I write songs is because I prefer to sing my story, because performing is everything to me. However, I can pour my heart into someone else’s words—there are plenty of songs that I depend on in good or bad moments because I’ll never write something that sums it up as well. Music is medicinal. Sometimes I need to make my own medicine, sometimes I need to receive someone else’s.
What does the future look like in Jake Wesley Rogers’ eyes?
It looks like a chance to create, perform, love, and live the most honest way I know how. It looks really, really fun. And I look fabulous. I’m wearing a gown.
When Jake Wesley Rogers makes it to LA, _____________________. (If you’re not already there!)
I’m typing this on a plane to LA right now! When I get to LA, I’m probably going to go to bed! Hahaha.