Popology Lessons by Kris Fisher: Safe at Roan
In my career, I’ve seen tons of new music acts. Some make it, many do not. I still remember hearing Katy Perry’s “I Kissed a Girl” for the first time. Who knew that Katy would go on to break records and have the hit-packed career that she’s had? I also remember “Rude” by Magic!. In 2013, it went to Number One in several countries and that’s the last we’ve heard from Magic!.
We have examples of each at the top of the charts now. As I write this, Sabrina Carpenter has two singles in the Top Five, with a third not far behind. She is an act that feels like might have a future. Then, there’s Shaboozey, staring at the possibility of being a one-hit wonder. Sorry, Shabooz. I hope I’m wrong.
Then there’s another kind of artist that comes around only so often. They seem to arrive with a kind of white-hot energy along with a slew of great songs, an overabundance of talent and a rabid fan base. Think back to when Billie Eilish first broke out or when Lady Gaga released “Just Dance.” They were more than just new artists arriving on the scene. They were a moment.
In April we were introduced – or reintroduced as the case may be – to Chappell Roan. That’s when her single “Good Luck, Babe” was released. She is definitely having her moment.
Chappell previously released a five-song EP in 2017. Entitled “School Nights,” it sounded a lot less Chappell Roan and a little more Lorde impersonator. She reportedly hated it. Her record label agreed. She was released by her label and went home for a dose or two of life, love, heartbreak, and self-discovery. When she returned to Los Angeles to record a new album, she put all that living into some new music.
What she produced was her late 2023 album “The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess,” an album that explores all that life, love, heartbreak and self-discovery and celebrates the win that comes from being honest with yourself.
Mark my words, that honesty will be the secret to her success.
I was just getting acquainted with Chappell Roan when a friend approached me as I was emceeing ‘Beats on Broad,’ the opening of Pride weekend in Augusta. Hannah wanted to come on stage to sing Chappell’s “Pink Pony Club.” I wasn’t familiar with the song at the time. All I knew was that she wanted to get on stage and sing that song as much as anyone ever wanted anything. I don’t think I’ve ever been that passionate about an artist. It was inspiring.
Soon, I noticed Chappell drawing record crowds at the summer music festivals. The organizers of Lollapalooza told CNN that Chappell’s set was the biggest daytime crowd in the history of the event. I asked Hannah what it was that made her, and other fans, so enthusiastic about Chappell Roan. She mentioned that Chappell’s openness about her sexuality likely helped to make her popular with gay fans. She also mentioned the undeniably catchy songs, colorful aesthetic, and engaging personality. But the thing she told me that really hit home was this.
“Her music feels as fun as it does safe.”
Safe. Not safe as in rejecting artistic risk. Far from it. Safe as in we are all in this together.
Chappell sings about navigating the very thing she, and her fans, are going through together: life, love, heartbreak, self-discovery. It’s a familiar formula. Taylor, Billie, Gaga and Olivia Rodrigo all can sing one hell of a personal song and have a fiercely loyal fanbase. I’d say that’s some pretty good company to be in.
At the start of 2024 Chappell had about a million people streaming her music. According to Billboard, that number had risen to over 60 million by the end of June. I think it’s clear: Chappell Roan is absolutely having her moment. It’s not surprising. After all, in a world filled with noise, who doesn’t want that musical place they can go and feel welcome and joyful and, most significantly, safe. It’s a gift, one Chappell Roan freely offers us all.
