On The Rise: Chappell Roan

 We’re thrilled to welcome Atlantic Records own, Chappell Roan to our On The Rise series! With her unique sound and insane vocals, Chappell needs to be on your radar! Check out our interview below!

For readers who aren’t familiar with you and your music, can you share with us how you began your musical journey?

I started out in musical theater and choir in middle school and did school talent shows whenever I could. I played around town in coffee shops and  started writing my own songs when I was in high school.  When I was 16 I was recognized by some labels and  my career really started  when I signed to Atlantic records in 2015. My songs were really heavy and dark for the majority of my career until I moved to LA and I changed completely. My music reflects however I’m feeling at the time. 

We’re obsessed with your new songs “California” &  “Pink Pony Club“! What did your process look like for those tracks?

Pink Pony Club was written after a night in West Hollywood at a gay bar. I was so in love with the go-go dancers there I had to write a song about how I wanted to be one too. I wrote it in about 3 days with Dan Nigro back in February 2019. For California, it was a bit tougher. It took me over 3 years to write it because I couldn’t figure out what it was about. I tried writing it as a love song, a breakup song, a pop song, etc. Nothing was working. I didn’t realize I had to experience actually moving across the country from Missouri to LA to fuel the subject of the song. It’s really heartbreaking when I listen to it. It’s also strange because Pink Pony Club is about the same city, but just a completely opposite perspective of it. 

Growing up, did you always know you wanted to be a musician? Did your homelife affect your career path?

I honestly didn’t know what I wanted to be growing up. I knew I loved entertainment. My family has always been very supportive of my music career, and really helped push me to get where I am now. As for the small town I grew up in, my dreams felt pretty hopeless and unrealistic. I really didn’t know what I was getting myself into until I moved to LA because in Southwest Missouri, it’s not really a job you can excel at. I get asked if I’ll ever switch over to gospel or country, but the answer is always “No,I don’t think so.”

For you, what does a typical songwriting session look like? Do you have any rituals? Do you find your inspiration comes from one specific place? 

I really love when I feel like my ideas are being listened to in sessions. I love collaboration and feeling a strong connection with other writers, but honestly it’s pretty rare we get a good song out. I love talking about life and deep personal subjects, but truly we don’t usually end up with a song I keep most of the time. I continue to do sessions because sometimes I come out with a song I really love, especially if I trust the producer or writer I’m working with. I try to go into each session with a positive attitude and an open mind no matter what. I usually find a concept I like, find some chords, and write a melody. I struggle with lyrics that match perfectly in sessions, so I usually take the song home and work on it by myself. I get really inspired whenever I see live performances by other artists I like 

Who is Chappell Roan? What is her story? Do you take on a persona when you go from Kayleigh to Chappell?

To me Chappell Roan is a woman of acceptance, learning and love. It’s a way for me to express myself to the fullest. In a way, yes it’s a persona when I’m on stage. I have to get into a different headspace and bring a confidence that I don’t totally have. Chappell Roan has evolved many times. I started out very dark and witchy, moved to a soft whimsical hyper feminine aesthetic, and now I love colorful vintage disco. 

What would your dream collaboration be?

I would love to collaborate with The Weekend, Weyes Blood, Alt-J, Frank Ocean, Lady Gaga, Clairo, Lorde, ugh there’s so many!

Do you have advice for fellow small town musicians wanting to take that leap into the big leagues? What inspired you to run after your dream? 

My advice would be learn as much as you can about the industry, writing, and music in general. Learn all you can. Try everything. The majority of this job is failure at the beginning, and it’s a learning process. There are no giant leaps in the music industry, just tiny tiny steps every day. I’m doing this because it’s what I’m best at and it makes me happy. I also know how important it is to use my platform for good and to educate others about anti-racism, sexism, LGTBQ+ rights, and other things I’m really passionate about on top of music. 

How have you been during quarantine? Do you feel more creative at home?

 I have been going in and out of creative spells, during the pandemic.  I feel creative at home, but being stuck inside has been making me crazy a bit. I’ve been working on a couple demos and finishing up some songs. I made the Love Me Anyway and California lyric videos both in quarantine and that was really fun for me. 

Lastly, where do you hope to see yourself musically in the next five years?

I hope that I will be headlining tours, playing festivals, and making enough money where I can donate and make a difference in the causes I care about. I would love to have my own little studio and live happily in LA.

Connect with Chappell: Instagram, Twitter, Spotify & Facebook

Click this link for resources and info on p0stb1nary