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Meet Kyle Rogan

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Kyle Rogan.

Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I grew up in Rochester, NY and my brother and I used to improvise songs in our basement when we were younger. He’d play the guitar, and I’d make up words. Eventually, it would end up with us fighting about something stupid, so I learned the guitar. I like to think that I am here today because I kicked him out of the band. But he’s the one with the girlfriend, so we’re even.

I moved to Cali in 2011 to go to Pepperdine and got my degree in acting. I had done several smaller, self-made albums but in 2013 I released my first professionally produced album “Farewell to Normal” after raising $5,000 from a Kickstarter campaign. Using that as a launchpad, I went on to play at various venues around LA, including the Whisky A Go-Go and Viper Room. In 2013, I also was in the play “Why Do You Stand There in the Rain?” that toured Scotland after winning a Fringe First Award in the Edinburgh Fringe Festival the year prior. Since then, I’ve released an EP (“Cardboard Houses”), and a few singles (“Weak,” “Like You Should,” and, most recently, “Donner”). Each of them has music videos I’ve (mostly) made myself and am quite proud of. I have a huge passion for film, so when I can integrate that with my music, I get a ton of joy.

Please tell us about your art.
Aw man, I try to do it all, haha! If I could sum it up, I love writing songs, performing live, making music videos, and acting. I’ve recently jumped into writing screenplays, but not far enough along yet to share anything. But I’d say that storytelling is the core of what I do.

For me, I love sharing experiences with friends, be it a camp trip or seeing a movie together or re-telling inside jokes. So when I think about my artistic endeavors, I often try to have that in mind: what is an experience that I can create and invite people to join into? I really value adventure, fun, and depth and if you listen to one of my songs or watch one of my videos, you’d see that pretty quickly. I want people to feel free to be themselves, have a good time, and be challenged to take a deeper look at life. And I think that means that I have to be the first one to be both goofy and vulnerable, so it makes people feel ok to do the same. It’s who I am, so I don’t really have to try to incorporate it intentionally which is nice.

Given everything that is going on in the world today, do you think the role of artists has changed? How do local, national or international events and issues affect your art?
I don’t think the role of art has changed, but I think many artists miss what that role is. I personally believe that art is meant to express some sort of greater truth that tugs to the heart of the human experience and is created really, really well. And it’s the songs and stories that magnificently portray those truths that really stick with us (like “The Lord of the Rings” movies or Handel’s “Messiah”). It’s the artist’s job to touch upon those greater truths and express them with great skill. I think, sadly, our culture has largely rejected the ideas that universal truths and excellence in the craft are required for great art. Truths are seen as opinions which, by its very nature, weakens its effect and universal appeal. And I think excellence in craft is put to the side in favor of a “don’t judge me, it’s how I want to do art” kind of attitude, which reduces the quality of art we have as a culture. And I’m incredibly guilty of that second issue since I can be pretty self-indulgent in my writing and ignore the fact that art is meant to be experienced by others.

I’m definitely not perfect when it comes to this, but I generally avoid touching on specific things happening in the news or world. Honestly, our culture looks completely different now than it did thirty years ago and I am more interested in creating art that outlives me and not stuck in a lost time capsule of trends and outdated opinions. There’s a lot more that can be said about all of this, but that’s the nugget I got for it now.

How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
Spotify and YouTube are the first things I’d direct you too. You can search “Kyle Rogan,” and you’ll see my albums and music videos. I’m fairly active on Instagram (@the_kyle_rogan) and love meeting new people that way. In terms of support, I’d say share the stuff you like! If there’s a video or song you love, pass it along! I’m probably going to start a Patreon page in the coming months, so if you love my stuff a lot and want to give me money to do it more (and better!), I’d say keep an eye out for that!

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Image Credit:
Katrina Warme, Ron Hall, Sean Graves, Kelly Rodriguez

Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.

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