An Interview With The British Rock Inspired Singer-Songwriter, EDWARD ROGERS!

British Rock inspired singer-songwriter, Edward Rogers is coming out with a new album called “TV Generation” on June 9th.

You can check out his last release, “Glass Marbles,” here: https://soundcloud.com/edwardrogers1/sets/glass-marbles-2016

Born in Birmingham, England where he spent the first 12 years of his life, Rogers moved to New York City just as the British Invasion began in the States. He started his career behind the drumkit, which he played in several garage bands. When a subway accident in October 1985 left him without his right arm and right leg below the knee, he turned to songwriting. As he developed his writing talents, Edward found he enjoyed singing and writing more rewarding than playing drums.

“TV Generation” is Edward’s seventh solo release and it explores several life changing moments in Edward’s recent life – including the passing of David Bowie and other heroes of his. Additionally, he was joined in the studio by several talented musicians that have been well established in their genre for decades, including the album’s producer Don Piper (Syd Straw), James Mastro (Ian Hunter), Sal Maida (Roxy Music, Cracker), Dennis Diken (Smithereens), Geoff Blythe (Dexys, Black 47), Jane Scarpantoni (Lou Reed) and more!

Learn more about Edward Rogers in the following All Access interview:

Thanks for your time! So where does this interview find you today? Is there music playing in the background? If so, what is it?

Great question. This interview finds me in The Duke of Cumberland, a music venue in Whitstable, UK where I just played a show. I’m enjoying a few minutes of silence and watching the magpies and seagulls flying overhead in this cool coastal town. In fact I can see the beach right down the road.

How is 2017 treating you so far? Did you approach the start of this year any differently than you did last year?

So far, 2017 has been really good. I co-produced a show at The Cutting Room in NYC celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the release of Gene Clarke’s first solo album. I was also invited to open for two of my heroes – Dave Davies of The Kinks at City Winery and Terry Reid at The Cutting Room. My new album TV Generation is being released on June 9th, and I’m currently on tour in the U.K. and Ireland. I’ve got my producer, Don Piper, on tour with me playing guitar. I try to start every year the same way – writing and performing music.

Growing up, did you always want to be a musician? Can you recall your first musical memory? Could you see yourself doing anything else today? If you weren’t a musician, what would you be doing?

Growing up, I always loved music, but honestly didn’t think I could be creative enough to write and perform. I moved to the States from the U.K. as an young teen, and used music to cope with the huge cultural shock. My first musical memory was hearing “Apache” by The Shadows in my parents fancy front room on their vintage stereo system.  I’ve worked hard to be able to do music full time so, no, I don’t see myself doing anything else in the near future. I also get immense enjoyment co-hosting Atlantic Tunnel with my mate Gaz on Little Water Radio. From choosing what to play weekly to getting to interview other musicians (Dennis Dunaway, Neil Finn, Colin Blunstone + Rod Argent) and interesting authors (Ian Rankin, Tony Fletcher) just to name a few.

Let’s talk about your forthcoming seventh album, “TV Generation.” What was it like putting this collection together? How do you think this process continues to change from album to the next?

This album was made relatively quickly. I had written 40 songs from which my producer, Don Piper, and I chose the best 16 tracks. And unlike the last album, we recorded the tracks without prior band rehearsals. This added a certain edge which made it an exciting experience for both myself and the musicians involved. I’ve approached each album as it’s own musical challenge in respect to both songwriting and musical direction. I always try to push myself in a new direction.

How do you think that “TV Generation” shows the growth that you have gone through as an artist? How has your sound changed over the years? And ultimately, do you think that what drives you to make music has changed at all through the years? 

I don’t know if it’s growth or just a natural progression as I try to expand my musical tastes and bring in different influences. Always still essentially a fan of the music I grew up with, I try to approach writing with a more open mind. It’s still my passion that drives me to keep writing.

Can you talk about some of the musicians that joined you for this collection? What was it like working with them? 

I usually start with my producer, Don Piper, and myself selecting the songs that we like the best. From there, we break the recording process into two or three segments, matching the musicians we think best fit the songs. I’ve obviously worked with several of the same musicians over the years including Don Piper, James Mastro, Sal Maida and Dennis Dicken, among others. They are the core band and then we add several other musicians to fit the style of each song.

On TV Generation, I was lucky to work with Jane Scarpantoni who created a string arrangement for a song I wrote called “No Words,” which was originally a poem written on the day of David Bowie’s passing. I was also fortunate enough to have Caitlyn O’Riordan join me on backing vocals on “On This Ordinary Wednesday in June.” Also, I have guest appearances from Bob Perry (Winter Hours), Geoff Blythe (Dexy’s, Elvis Costello, Black 47), and Pete Kennedy (The Kennedys), among others

I’m curious to know how you were affected musically by the passing of David Bowie? How did this event impact your album?

Quite an emotional day waking up on that Monday morning – January 10, 2016 – to find out that one of my heroes had died, especially since I had just seen his producer, Tony Visconti, that previous Friday night and he had given no indication of just how ill David Bowie was. It immediately resulted in a poem and eventually a song that became one of my favorites on this album.

What artists have continued to inspire you and your music? Who would you absolutely love to work with in the future?

The artists that continue to impress me and influence me are Paul Weller, Robert Wyatt, Andy Partridge and Scott Walker. Believe it or not, if I had the musical compatibility, I would love to work with Paul Buchanan of The Blue Nile.

At the end of the day, what do you hope your fans take away from your music? What do you hope is the message of your songs? 

I hope they continue to enjoy the musical adventures I pursue.

The meaning of my songs are not always obvious but I’d like to think that they encourage thought while still providing entertainment.

Is there anything else that you would like to share with our readers about yourself or your music?

I’m always a fan first, listening to old and new music. My radio show’s theme is: music from yesterday, today and tomorrow which could also very easily describe my musical pursuits.