Maggie Rogers, a singer-songwriter celebrated for her hit "Alaska" and her recent master's from Harvard Divinity School, shares her inspiring journey. She discusses her transformative detour into academia and how it shaped her music career. The conversation dives into balancing creativity with mental health, the emotional depth of her new album "Don't Forget Me," and the contrast between light and dark themes in her songs. Maggie also reflects on navigating fame, vulnerability, and the spiritual connection that happens during live performances.
Maggie Rogers pursued a master's degree in religion to avoid music burnout, showcasing her dedication to personal growth.
Rogers integrates her life experiences into songwriting to deepen emotional connections, emphasizing authenticity and vulnerability in her music.
Deep dives
Maggie Rogers' Intimate Approach to Music
Maggie Rogers, known for her Box Office Week theater shows emphasizing intimacy and connection with her audience, aims to provide a personal concert experience. For Rogers, transitioning from smaller shows to arenas reflects a mindful shift in her music journey. During a break to avoid burnout, she pursued a master's degree, focusing on the ethics of power in pop culture.
Artistic Freedom in Songwriting
Rogers explores a new approach to songwriting in her album, creating a character to convey her stories more authentically. By weaving her own life experiences into her songs, she achieves a deeper emotional connection with her music. Her openness to reinterpret songs based on evolving personal experiences reflects the fluid nature of artistic expression.
The Nostalgic Element in Music
Rogers delves into the nostalgic themes present in her music, reflecting on the passage of time and the feeling of nostalgia in her creative process. She embraces nostalgia as a recurring theme in her songwriting, aiming to evoke emotional resonance and connection with her audience through her music.
Maggie Rogers' Reflective Journey in Music
Rogers' reflective journey, from her early experiences of learning to play music to the transformative moment when her song 'Alaska' went viral after Pharrell Williams' endorsement, highlights her evolution as an artist. Her vulnerability in songs like 'Light On' captures the challenges and emotional complexities of her early fame, symbolizing her growth and resilience in the music industry.
In 2021, burnt out from the intensity of her early career, Maggie Rogers considered quitting music entirely. Instead, she took a detour — to Harvard Divinity School, where she earned a master's degree in religion and public life. Rogers spoke with Fresh Air's Sam Briger about her songwriting process, becoming a star overnight, and being a nostalgic person. Her new album is Don't Forget Me.
This episode is a special extended version of the interview that aired on NPR.