We had the good fortune of connecting with Bryce J. Rogers and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Bryce J., what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
Music has always been my best form of communication. It’s how I learned to best express myself and communicate points and topics that I am passionate about. Music has been a wonderful space for community and collaboration in my life, from hosting local open mic nights for several years in Tucson. To filming, recording, and edititing the Tucson Murals & Music video series, which highlights local songwriters performing in front of Tucson’s many beautiful murals. I just love creating things, whether that be music, videos, shows, or community.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m a performing songwriter with over 150 videos on youtube and a new album called “I’m Okay I’ll Be Okay”. It’s 15 songs that I wrote all from the ages of 14-19. (I’m 25 now.) This album is a collection of my oldest songs. It’s my story of growing up and dealing with depression, self-harm, and some religious trauma. At 17 I hit rock bottom and spent some time at a behavioral center. When I got out I decided to use music as a way to cope with and process my problems. Obviously, I still have some things to sort out, but expressing myself through music has kept me out of trouble ever since. And I’m proud to say that I’m going on 8 years without any self-harm.

In 2019 I debuted my 2nd album “Coffee & Baileys” by virtually documenting a road trip from Southern Arizona, through Canada to Anchorage Alaska. Roughly a 3,800-mile drive. My most popular videos tend to be these travel-themed music videos. I love making music videos and filming live-acoustic performances in odd/beautiful places. It’s definitely become a part of my brand as I’ve even started video series like Tucson Murals & Music, where I’ve had the opportunity to feature over a dozen different Tucson murals and songwriters.

My biggest concert to date was in 2021. I performed at the U of A Cenntenial Hall for 36th annual Tucson Folk Festival.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’d show them the music scene of course! Arizona has totally underrated and thriving music communities. From Heavy Metal shows at House of Bards and 919 Tool. Country and rock at Chicago Bar and Rockabillys. Blues and Americana at Monterey Court. Reggae and an open drum circle The Hut. And of course some new hot spots like Jackrabbits Lounge. I’m also a huge fan of the Botanical Gardens and love hanging out in the butterfly room.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Big thank you to the wonderful music teachers I’ve had over the years. Andrea A. – Brad S. – Carl C. – John B. – Justine B. – Darren B.
I just wanted to take a moment to say how grateful I am for the time I got to spend learning from each of you. You all are incredibly talented in your own right, more than that your passion and heart to teach have touched my life and many others. (And thank you to mom and dad for years of paying for and driving me to and from all these music lessons.)

Website: https://www.brycejrogers.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brycejrogers/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BryceJRogers

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/brycejrogers

Other: Check out my music on Spotify, Itunes, or your favorite streaming platform.

Image Credits
Ameira Al-Rudhan

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutArizona is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.