Chicago-based singer-songwriter Taylor Rogers blends soundscapes of vocal layering, rhythmic guitar, and electronic texturing to create emotional terrain that both challenges and comforts its listeners.
Her third full-length album project NOA is to be released this September, funded by Northwestern’s CIRA grant. Taylor has toured all over the US, and performed in various Midwest festivals such as Oberlin FolkFest ad BAMfest.
Taylor recorded her first album, ‘crossing bridges’ (2012) in Oberlin, OH as part of a folk duo with Caroline Mullis, Wide Branches. In September 2014 she released her second album ‘wax and wane.’ Her music is inspired by themes of “connection, of presence, and of embracing the dream-states so necessary to creation” (Beth-Lodge Rigal, WWFaC Greenbook Review).
In this interview spotlight, I chat with Taylor about her latest project, technology, challenges and more.
Full Q&A along with links and music below.
Where are you from and what style of music do you create? (In your own words, not necessarily in marketing terms or by popular genre classifications.)
I’m originally from Chapel Hill, NC, and I am now based in Chicago. My aim is to create music that is both universal and personal, relatable and yet fiercely vulnerable. I use textures, sounds, and lyrics that bring me into my body, and that I hope bring others into theirs. I use a looping pedal to build and emphasize important emotional and lyrical messages, adding cello and saxophone to amplify these affective landscapes. I’ve been calling the style on NOA ‘folk electronica.’ Anais Mitchell, Joni Mitchell, and Bon Iver are my biggest inspirations in terms of lyricism, storytelling, and soundscapes.
What led you down this path of music and what motivates you to keep going?
I grew up in a musical family. My mom was a music minister, and my grandfather was always at the piano, so I guess I’ve always felt at home when playing music. The feeling of home that I find when singing brings me into the present moment. When the world is buzzing and my anxious mind won’t slow down, I can find refuge in song. I feel inspired to keep creating as a vehicle for sharing in the present moment with others; I find that to be one of the most rewarding experiences human beings are offered.
How does NOA differ from your previous release, wax & wane? Were you trying to accomplish anything specific?
The songs on wax & wane were born from a very different time, from very different experiences. At that time in my young adult life, I was still very much innocent of the many struggles adulthood would bring. The songs of NOA are grounded in a bit more experience, a bit more wisdom. NOA is a journey through my own experience of coming out and grieving a long-term relationship. It is a break-up album that hopes to push back against mainstream conceptions of grief that might put it at odds with other positive emotions, such as love and hope. The sentiment of NOA is heartbreak in its fullest form, a form unafraid of sorrow’s intensity, yet a form that also includes courage and hopeful anticipation of the unknown.
Name one or two challenges you face as an indie musician in this oversaturated, digital music age? How has technology helped you (since we know it does help)?
The challenge and benefit are two sides of the same coin. It is certainly harder to stand out or be noticed in an over-saturated market, yet the ease with which one can get music into the public domain through technology also means that it is easier to get your music out there.
What was the last song you listened to?
‘Wait for me’ from Hadestown (Anais Mitchell)
Which do you prefer? Vinyl? CDs? MP3s?
Give em all to me.
How about this one…. Do you prefer Spotify? Apple Music? Bandcamp? Or something else? Why?
I like them all. I think it’s great that there are so many different avenues with which folks can discover and listen to music these days.
Where is the best place to connect with you online and discover more music?
NOA will be released on all of the digital platforms on 9/13. Spotify, itunes, Amazon music, etc. are all good places to find it. You can also find my music videos through my YouTube channel (Taylor Rogers Music), and my most up to date happenings on my Instagram (@taylorrogersmusic) and on my website (taylorrogersmusic.com).
