From college to a sold-out tour in one year: Maggie Rogers performs in The Current studio
by Mac Wilson
April 01, 2017
Just a year ago, Maggie Rogers was a senior in college at New York University. Now, Rogers is performing a string of sold-out shows across North America, but she hasn't quite had time to process that. "It's just pretty silly," Rogers says. "Every show we have played this year has been sold out. I'm not comprehending much this year, to be completely honest."
Rogers and her band — percussionist Dana LaMarca and keyboardists Grant Zubritsky and Alan Markley — are in the Twin Cities for a sold-out show at the Triple Rock Social Club in Minneapolis, but not before stopping at The Current for an in-studio session hosted by Mac Wilson.
What may be fueling Rogers' incomprehension of her sold-out tour is the fact that the song that launched her career came about somewhat ironically. "In the summer of 2013, I decided to stop making music, and I wasn't really sure what my life would look like after that," Rogers explains. "I've always loved being outside, so I went on a trip for a month with a group called NOLS — National Outdoor Leadership School — and I was backpacking in Alaska for a month, sort of learning to be an outdoor guide, because I sort of figured that's what I'd spend a lot of my time doing.
"I didn't really make music for the next two-and-a-half years until I decided to write this song," Rogers continues. The resulting song, "Alaska," gained the admiration of Pharrell Williams, and the die was cast for Rogers' métier.
Use the audio player above to hear "Alaska" and other songs from Rogers' debut EP, Now That the Light is Fading, as well as more about her experiences as an NYU student and as an emerging artist.
Songs Performed
"Dog Years"
"On + Off"
"Alaska"
All songs are from Maggie Rogers' debut EP Now That the Light is Fading, available on Capitol Records.
Hosted by Mac Wilson
Produced by Lindsay Kimball
Engineered by Michael DeMark and Elijah Deaton-Berg
Visuals by Jules Ameel
Web feature by Luke Taylor
Resources
Maggie Rogers - official site
