As the buzz around Chappell Roan’s debut album, “Midwest Princess,” continues to grow, an insightful event unfolded in downtown L.A. on Thursday night. This special gathering lasted 66 minutes and attracted approximately 200 enthusiastic fans. Renowned celebrity moderator Brandi Carlile engaged Roan and her talented co-writer and producer, Dan Nigro, in a thought-provoking discussion that transformed the Grammy Museum into an intimate platform for creative exchange. The atmosphere was electric as fans and industry insiders alike reveled in the artist’s journey and the album’s remarkable success.

During the enlightening dialogue, just hours before Roan and Nigro were honored with multiple Grammy nominations, they addressed fascinating topics. These included the five-year journey to produce the “Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess” album, the transformative process that led to the creation of the beloved Chappell Roan persona, and intriguing hints about her anticipated second album. While they refrained from divulging any details about Album No. 2, their candidness about the first album was refreshing. They candidly discussed the personal relationship struggles that inspired some of the tracks, showcasing the depth of their artistic exploration and what many are beginning to recognize as a modern classic in pop music.

Brandi Carlile, a veteran of the Grammy scene, set the tone for the event by expressing her admiration for Chappell Roan and the immense support from her fanbase. “There are so many fans of Chappell Roan who would love the chance to sit here and ask her anything,” she remarked, channeling her fangirl enthusiasm. Carlile shared her personal connection to Roan’s music, revealing how a video of “Your Music” by Elton John sparked her passion. The mutual admiration between Carlile and Roan, alongside their connection to John, was a recurring theme throughout the night. Carlile praised the collaboration between Roan and Nigro, declaring it a “gift to the world,” and emphasizing the profound impact they have made on the pop music landscape.

Whether one considers it premature or not, Roan’s debut album is being heralded as one of the strongest in recent memory, reminiscent of Olivia Rodrigo’s breakout project, which was also produced by the talented Nigro. Roan’s album carries an additional layer of social consciousness that is yet to be fully explored. The evening reached a breathtaking climax as Roan captivated the audience with her soulful renditions of two poignant ballads, “Picture You” and “Casual,” accompanied by the delicate sounds of an acoustic guitar and violin. Attendees, including members of the Recording Academy, found themselves enchanted, perhaps tempted to bestow Roan with every Grammy award available on the spot, reflecting the infectious energy she brought to the performance.

In the early stages of the conversation, Carlile inquired about the unique dynamics between Roan, originally from Missouri, and Nigro, a New Jersey native known for his prior collaborations with Olivia Rodrigo. Roan reflected on her journey, stating, “It’s incredible to look back and realize that I didn’t know the Cocteau Twins until you introduced them to me. That influence has become a cornerstone of my identity as an artist.” She also shared how her country roots have shaped her music, mentioning their collaborative track titled “The Giver,” which they performed on “SNL.” “I’m a country girl at heart, so I brought my love for country music into our work,” she added, emphasizing the importance of blending different genres.

Nigro humorously responded, “I had a lot of homework to do!” indicating the challenge of bridging their different musical backgrounds.

Carlile remarked, “As I sit here reviewing the tracklist, I can hear country influences interwoven throughout your songs, particularly in ‘Red Wine Supernova’ and ‘Picture You.’ Your vocal nuances echo elements from both classic country and modern sounds.” She praised Roan’s unique style, noting how it resonates with listeners and enriches the overall listening experience. “Country isn’t far-fetched, even without the ‘SNL’ performance,” she concluded, teasing Roan about her artistic direction.

Roan, maintaining her playful demeanor, responded, “I feel like the country influences aren’t going anywhere.” Her confidence in her artistic identity was evident as she spoke about her commitment to authenticity and exploration in her music.

A significant portion of the evening was dedicated to examining Roan’s artistic evolution. This journey began during her previous record deal, where she released only a preliminary EP, and progressed through the years as “Midwest Princess” began to take shape. Roan and Carlile expressed some frustration regarding the industry’s difficulty in recognizing her talent early on. Nevertheless, Roan was candid about her journey, admitting that her artistic persona had yet to fully materialize until she experienced certain songwriting breakthroughs that were pivotal in the development of this album.

Nigro reflected on their early struggles in the studio, sharing, “One of our biggest frustrations was creating ‘California’ and then ‘Pink Pony Club.’ After that, Chappell collaborated with an incredible writer named Skyler Stonestreet to develop ‘Naked in Manhattan.’ Initial feedback we received was frustrating; people insisted it had to be either slow ballads or upbeat pop, but not both.” His frustration was palpable as he insisted, “It truly needs to be both! Otherwise, you’re missing the essence of who she is.”

Roan added, “At that time, I had little to no income. My EP didn’t perform well, and while I had toured, I never headlined my own shows. I had no substantial numbers to back me up. Releasing ‘Pink Pony Club’ in April 2020 was a challenge, especially since it was meant to be an anthem during a time of isolation. It took countless writing sessions, often involving bad songs on my end, to arrive at the good ones we now have. Fortunately, we had time; there was no label pressuring us to release something immediately.”

Carlile pressed, “How could industry professionals hear ‘California’ and ‘Pink Pony Club’ and not recognize your talent?”

Roan responded, “I hadn’t built the necessary context around those songs yet. Even with ‘Pink Pony Club’ out as a single years ago, I was still an artist without a cohesive collection of songs to define me. My aesthetic didn’t match what I was presenting. I underwent a total transformation; previously, I wore only black on stage and took myself too seriously. Once I learned to embrace my true self, everything started to work. The world needs to see my other songs to understand why ‘Pink Pony Club’ and ‘California’ fit into the same narrative.”

Roan candidly addressed her initial fears about writing lighter, more playful music, admitting, “When I wrote ‘My Kink Is Karma,’ I left the studio thinking, ‘That is absurd.’”

Roan further shared her apprehensions about the reception of her upbeat tracks. “When ‘Hot to Go’ came out, I was genuinely worried that people wouldn’t take me seriously as a songwriter. It felt like a fun song, but I feared people might dismiss it because of its lightheartedness. I’ve learned to embrace the camp aspect of my work; I realize now that these playful tracks have their own importance and contribute to a broader narrative.”

“I think you excel in that area,” Carlile chimed in, “especially with the humor you inject into your songs. It’s refreshing to see someone approach topics like sex with a lighthearted laugh, as you do throughout this album.”

Carlile also acknowledged the collaborative magic that Roan and Nigro create in the studio, emphasizing how they craft fantastical sounds and melodies meant to resonate with audiences. Their music is designed to bring joy and create unforgettable moments for listeners.

Roan expressed, “We approach songwriting from a live performance perspective. That’s why I wanted to create my version of ‘YMCA’ with ‘Hot to Go’—to foster a shared experience with the audience. Watching the Queen film changed my career trajectory; seeing Rami Malek perform at Live Aid during ‘Radio Gaga’ made me realize the power of audience interaction. I wanted to create that same sense of connection with my fans.”

“Did that experience instill a sense of pride in your queer identity and highlight the joy that comes from it?” Carlile probed.

Roan admitted, “I wasn’t fully there yet.”

“You weren’t there yet? That’s fascinating. Perhaps it was more subconscious,” Carlile suggested.

Roan reflected, “I think I was just desperate to feel that connection in a crowd. I asked myself how I could create moments where everyone could participate together. There’s something incredibly powerful about collective action, and I’m not entirely sure why.”

Nigro noted, “The breakthrough came when we created ‘Femininnomenon,’ particularly the call-and-response bridge. As Roan began performing, she witnessed the audience’s enthusiastic reactions, which encouraged us to push the boundaries even further.”

“I wanted to create songs that would shine in live performances and foster interaction with the audience,” Roan emphasized. “I genuinely believe that’s why this project has gained so much traction this year; I’ve performed live at numerous festivals and tours, totaling 83 shows. It’s no small feat. These songs were never meant to be confined to an album; I want everyone in the crowd to engage with each other and with me.”

Carlile humorously remarked, “Hearing you say that makes me realize how much time I’ve wasted agonizing over the seriousness of my own songs.”