Chapel Roan: From Indie Pop to Authentic Expression

For months, listeners have been peppering us with the same question: “When are you going to cover Chappell Roan?” We genuflect, then respond, “We interviewed her back in 2023!" The people don’t care. They want breakdowns of Chappell Roan’s musical wizardry, and who are we to deny them? After all, Chappell is having a moment, with five songs on the Billboard Hot 100, iconic performances on the biggest stages, and an average of seventy million streams a week. Everyone from the mailman to your grandma is dancing along to her buoyant choreography and undeniable melodies—but why? What are the musical devices Chappell and producer Dan Nigro are using to craft her ubiquitous sound? And why are her empowered, defiant lyrics resonating with audiences at this particular moment in history, when queer and trans rights are under attack? In this episode, Nate and Charlie visit the Pink Pony Club to get some much-needed answers.

Songs Discussed

Chappell Roan - Good Luck, Babe!, HOT TO GO!, Red Wine Supernova, Pink Pony Club, Hurt

Toni Basil - Mickey

Devo - Whip It

Starship - We Built This City

More

Read Constance Grady's Vox article, Chappell Roan spent 7 years becoming an overnight success

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