Maggie Rogers Begins New Chapter After Graduating from Divinity School at Nearly 30, 2024

Maggie Rogers, in her casual green sweater and shoulder-length shaggy hair, shares a lighthearted remark about the unconventional journey of being an artist. She jokes that there’s no HR Department in the art world, highlighting the self-determined nature of the creative path. Her frequent laughter adds to the relaxed atmosphere of the conversation.

In a recent Instagram post, Maggie Rogers discussed the concepts behind her latest album, “Don’t Forget Me,” which releases today. She mentioned envisioning themes like Sunday mornings, relaxed in worn-in jeans, and enjoying a drive in your favorite car. With a friendly laugh, Rogers admitted uncertainty about why she chose these specific images. She invited speculation, emphasizing that authenticity matters more than having a “right” answer.

Many of you probably first heard of me through my song ‘Alaska,’ which blends alt-pop with nature sounds and caught fire in a big way. Suddenly, I found myself painted as this folk-pop, nature-loving free spirit. And yeah, that clip of me playing ‘Alaska’ for Pharrell at NYU Clive Davis? It went crazy viral. But let me tell you, I’ve never been too fond of that ‘nature girl’ label. It’s like people try to squeeze you into these neat little boxes to make sense of things. But life ain’t that simple, you know?

I’m incredibly intentional and dedicated to my craft,” Maggie Rogers shares. “Living with purpose is how I believe we truly find happiness. For me, so much of that purpose and joy comes from immersing myself in my work and treating it with reverence. As an artist, I see my primary responsibility as making my audience feel something. It’s an honor and a privilege to dive deep into the vast spectrum of human emotions and questions through my music

It’s easy to recognize the barriers that shield us from truly feeling—things like a shortage of communal spaces, decision fatigue, or getting lost in TV marathons. However, for many of us, finding environments that encourage deep emotional connection can be a challenge. In Maggie Rogers’s perspective, putting in effort and approaching things with genuine intention is commendable. “Caring is cool,” she affirms. In the world of art, authenticity reigns supreme—it’s one of the rare spaces where we express only what we truly believe, where genuine care shines through.

Maggie Rogers’s genuine beliefs have been a driving force in her journey. This led her to pursue studies at Harvard Divinity School in 2021, focusing her research on the intersection of artistry and spirituality for her thesis. Reflecting on this experience, Rogers expresses gratitude for the opportunity to deeply contemplate her beliefs and take them seriously. She believes this introspection has provided her with a strong sense of grounding and confidence in her artistry. Despite spending more time touring than in any single location throughout her adult life, her time in graduate school and since then has left her feeling stable and appreciative

Rogers has moved on from divinity school, and “Don’t Forget Me” marks her first album release since then. The album delves into themes of memory and nostalgia, drawing inspiration from what Rogers describes as “Sunday afternoon driving records”—music that holds special significance during quiet moments. With “Don’t Forget Me,” Rogers invites listeners to get lost in shimmering reflections of the past. The songs range from the energetic “Drunk,” where Rogers confidently asserts her autonomy, to the tender “I Still Do,” a reflection on love accompanied by soft piano and delicate vocals.

In crafting the album, Rogers approached each song as a scene in a movie, weaving together memories from her twenties as she approaches her thirtieth birthday. The album embodies a sense of ease, nostalgia, self-assuredness, and peace. While previous projects like “Surrender” and “Heard It in a Past Life” showcased different aspects of her artistry, “Don’t Forget Me” reveals a new side of Rogers—a raw, authentic expression of herself. As she puts it, “This is what I sound like when I’m just breathing.