The Rogan Brothers rocked it out again at Millers on Friday night late last year. Back from their Harley Davidson Motorcycle Rally in Sturgis, South Dakota, Floyd Fest, and The Crozet Music Festival, they're now working on a pre-production for their first complete album.  They currently possess a five-song E.P., Hang Tough, which has wet our thirst for more to come in the future.  They've also accumulated a trailer, depicting their touring event, at The Harley Davidson Motorcycle Rally, filmed by Johnny St. Hours. The trailer showcases their two week trip from Floyd Fest to Sturgis, giving its viewers a nice taste of The Rogan Brothers as a traveling unit on the road.  However, every time I see them perform locally, I continue to be impressed by their musical prowess, their rockin' energy, the dancing, and the supporting fans.  The Rogan Brothers can be found playing at Millers on the Downtown Mall, usually every Friday starting around ten o'clock, and this is where my story begins. The Rogan Brothers are not merely composed of brothers; only two, in fact.  Josh Rogan is the lead vocalist and the electric guitarist.  His brother, Eric Rogan, plays the bass and performs vocals, as well.  Seth Johnston is the drummer, and Betty Joe is the accordion and keyboard player.

You know when you watch a movie or when you watch a particular band play, and the characters evoke emotion, where you aspire to be like them?  Well, the Rogan Brothers are these so called characters...  Josh Rogan is definitely the lead singer, whose energy and charismatic persona deem him the lead singer.  His lyrical compilation and his heartfelt performances really are the epitome of how the Rogan Brothers describe their music as Rock and Roll, Soul.  His ability upon his American Fender Deluxe Telecaster guitar inspires us all.  With his chord movements that produce melodic harmonies; he's got it all, and I never tire of witnessing his natural talent as a performing artist.

Eric Rogan, the other vocal artist and bassist, whose demeanor is groovy and down-to-earth, can maneuver the chords of his Fender Deluxe Jazz bass, so well, in fact, that you can't help but get into the roll of the beat.  His execution of the chords, along with the dark and dirty element of the bass line engages everyone listening.  You can see everyone nodding to the beats of the bass.  When I watched him perform recently at the Blue Mountain Brewery in Afton, VA., I remember being impressed when both he and Josh were totally in sync with one another.  It was almost as if the lyrics melted away and the instruments and their masters took over.  Eric on the bass and Josh on his electrical guitar were bangin' together.

The drummer of The Rogan Brothers, Seth Johnston, formerly in Kate Starr and FFO, can beat out an array of rhythms; which shows his experience as a seasoned drummer.  It's intriguing to witness in person!  When you see his strokes on the high hat, for example; it may be slight, but if that mere act hadn't been issued at that instant, then the beat and the groove would fail the rest of the song.  This shows precise timing, which is essential to establishing a nice groove, and is very enticing to the crowd. 

Betty Joe, who is the relatively new addition to the Rogan Brothers, is like the hook, the hidden spice, which truly enriches the trio and the music's vibe.  Formerly a part of American Dumpster, Betty Joe's accordion is an asset to the other instruments within the band.  The accordion adds a sharp harmony to the rhythm section, a lighter aura to the bass, and a winding voice to Josh's electrical guitar.  Her fingers exhibit fluid motion upon the keys of her Hammond Organ, as well as on the accordion.  That harmonious, almost religious sound comes through in both of her instruments.  Betty Joe's instrumentation adds a cool complexity to The Rogan Brothers, which make her a dangerous hook.

When listening to the Rogan Brothers, I get swept away with in the beat of their music and how the lyrics coincide with true emotion.  The Rogan Brothers have a destiny; which is why their new album is anxiously awaited.  Everyone is called to enjoy the tempo of their music and in the end, themselves.  I know I'm going to be listening to good music and have a bangin,' good time, whenever I watch a Rogan Brother's show.  I enjoyed interviewing the Rogan Brothers very much, and I hope they achieve the goals they've set for themselves and travel far.

-----------------------------------------

33: What are some of your musical aspirations/and or bands that have influenced you?

Seth Johnston:  A good crew, a good rockin' beat.  I like a powerful, consistent band that works as a machine.  I enjoy playing with a band that enjoys having fun.

Eric:  I'm an avid concert-goer; I've traveled all over the country to see different bands that I enjoy.  Those experiences are the most memorable of my life.  I've always enjoyed being apart of the audience, and one of my main goals is to return some of that back to the crowd that come to see us play.  In regards to particular bands that have inspired me, I enjoy Phish, The Meters, and George Clinton.    

Betty Joe:  I have been involved in music my whole life.   As far back as I can remember, I was listening to boogie, bepop, blues and soul, I taught classical piano for years, and even performed the Rocky Horror Picture show with a local band, which was my first live gig playing by ear.  I was listening to a lot of blues back in the nineties and realized I wanted to play by ear.  I basically taught myself, mostly by listening, but a few live shows left me spellbound by the power of the Hammond B-3.  Finally, I have located a Hammond C-3 and hope to spend the next decade studying that.

Josh: To become a full-time artist; basically be able to play music everyday for a living.  Also, I'm not trying to reinvent the wheel, but I would like to be expressive.  I do that through simple rock and roll and writing lyrics.  Basically, just delivering what comes naturally.  I don't want to be like anyone else.  I don't want to copy anybody else's guitar licks.  It's better to spend a lifetime tying to find your own.  So, that's inspirational; the daily progress and daily journey of playing music.

33:  How did you choose your instruments or did your instruments choose you?

Seth:  I think I can be carefree and relaxed but edgy at times, as well as being aggressive.  I think the drums capture all those emotions; the ups and downs of life, and to have my emotions come out on the drum set; that was a good outlet for me.  I can let it out on my instrument.

Eric:   It seemed natural because Josh had been playing guitar for awhile; I figured instead of trying to be another guitar player and trying to play together as dueling guitarists, if I played the bass, then we could make a band.

Betty Joe:  .I wanted to play boogie piano when I was very young.  My mom taught me to play at first then I took lessons.  I always wanted an organ but only in the last ten years have I actually had a Hammond to play.  I also chose the accordion in a whimsical way, over a margarita and some Zydeco, what a great purchase.  It has been a really fun instrument to play in many different situations, from wedding, to cajun punk, to rock and roll; I love it...

33:  What do you think the accordion brings to the sound of the Rogan Brothers?

Betty Joe:  The simple thing about the accordion is that is brings a cool sound to the mix and fills the space without necessarily adding melodic material to arrangements.  Especially, for the Rogan Brothers Band, I think the accordion serves as a bridge between the bass and guitar as does the organ.  I try to add a layer to the sound without being busy.

33:  Did you always know you wanted to be a musician?

Josh:  Oh yeah, as far back as I can remember.  I wasn't really thinking about it, I was just doing it.  Once I was doing it, I had to go to open mic nights and talent shows and you just kind of have to do it, if it's in you; kind of like sports or something that just how people are magnetically drawn to their calling.  It wasn't like, "I want to be this;" "I just want to make it happen."  You discover who you are, while making it happen.

33:  What do you feel like on stage?

Seth:  I don't really feel like myself, I feel melted with what everyone else is doing.

Eric:  It depends... If the audience is into it and their dancing, having a good time, cheering for you, then its one of the best feelings you can imagine.  I always try to put forth my best musical self on stage.  So regardless, of what the audience is doing, I'm striving to find the music in every show.

Josh:  Sometimes it can be completely natural, like in your own living room.  Other nights it can be a little awkward, But, I think the greatest feeling of all is when things go well, when the crowd is into it, when were working together.  That's when the real music comes out.

33:  Do you get nervous?

Eric:  Not very often.  Maybe if there's someone in the audience that I have respect for, but once you find comfort with your ability, then your nervous energy kind of goes away.

Betty Joe:   I only get nervous when my surroundings aren't right, meaning stage set up or sound.  Usually, I love playing and can get lost in the music with little awareness of others.  Basically, I don't take things too....seriously.  I just do what I can with what I know!

Josh:  Occasionally, but most of the time I feel pretty comfortable. 

33:  What do you think the St. Hours trailer suggests about the band as a group and your experience about your two week trip, traveling, and performing at The Harley Davidson Motorcycle Rally?

Seth:  I thought it was about America, the event, and the type of band that plays at such an event.  Basically, it's about playing original music, a band trying to make it, and playing at the biggest biker rally in the world. 

Eric:  It was a new step, we took on new goals, we wanted to document that experience, and we wanted to be prepared.  In relation to what the trailer has to say, the trailer is a representation of what we set out to do.  The trailer isn't specific to what the exact experiences were.  It proves that everything we tried to do, we achieved.  We had a mission, we fulfilled it, and we were successful.

Betty Joe:   To me the best part about traveling to place like Floyd Fest and South Dakota is the quality of people you are playing to.  People at festivals are there to enjoy and have a good time.  They are the best audience to play to.  I love traveling and there's nothing better for a band than to play together every day before new audiences.

Josh:  Well, we're a working band...  I think we're always going to be down-to-earth.  Relating with people on a common plane and being adventurous; that's one of the greatest thing about traveling; hanging with good people, having good times, sharing the excitement of life with good people.  That's really what Rock and Roll is all about; music that bridges that gap form everyday life to magical moments.  Music can be a bridge; it carries people, wakes them up, or reminds them that feeling that only comes around once and awhile. 

33:  What are your thoughts about the Charlottesville music scene? 

Eric:  It was good to grow up where there was a lot of music; inspiring music.  Now were out there doing it as the performers, we've kind of come full circle.  You start out loving it, you end up becoming the performer, and then you're still loving it. 

33:  Is there any struggle with playing music?

Josh:  The harder you work, the better it feels.  So, if there ever is a moment of challenge it just feels better than not playing.  It's not supposed to be easy.  The struggle excites me.  I'm not afraid of failing.  Failure would mean not progressing to a full-time career, which for me seems like a choice.  The struggle is not playing music.  Music is like breathing.  I don't even know how to think of my life with out it.  It seems like there should be a struggle or like you want to hear that there is, but there is really no struggle.

--------------------------------

If I could leave anyone with one last thought, it would be this... Everyone should make an effort to see the Rogan Brothers, because if you're looking to have an awesome night, then you owe it to yourself to visit the Rogan Brothers, on a Friday at Millers.  It's truly interesting to see what each member contributes and how everyone enjoys their gig.  Trust me, you won't be disappointed! 

 

*For further information on the Rogan Brothers, emails welcome at RoganBrothers.com.

 

 

By Author and Staff Coordinator: Helen Brown

Although originally from Marion Junction, Alabama, Helen has been living in Ivy, Virginia for the last three years, because she absolutely loves the Blue Ridge Mountains.  She attended Emory and Henry College, in Emory, Virginia, gaining a degree in Philosophy and Psychology.  Helen moved to Charlottesville on a whim because of the unique music scene, interest in the Food and Wine Industry, and the desire to incorporate music into her professional aspirations.  She is looking forward to listening to an array of eclectic music, observing the local talent, and meeting some interesting people, while working with the Magazine33 team!  See you around town...

 

Please login to post your comments.