With rugged honesty and a dose of youthful defiance, Rogan Mei returns with “Rushmore (So What),” an angsty and liberating folk-rock anthem about missed chances, restless energy, and carving your own road. Louder and more unapologetic than his earlier reflective work, the track captures the friction between wanting change and actually living it – set against ringing guitars and a chorus built to be shouted back.

The song’s title traces back to an unfinished idea that sat dormant for years. “Originally, it was going to be about a road trip with friends where the main character was just not in a good headspace and would sleep in the back seat while everyone pointed out monuments like the biggest hockey stick in the world, the Grand Canyon, or Mt. Rushmore. That’s where the line ‘So what I didn’t see Mt. Rushmore’ came from,” says Mei. Though the story shifted, that core lyric survived and became the heart of the new track.

1. What can you share with readers about your new project?

The project I’m rolling out right now is called “Dickies Green Plaid Jacket,” and the concept is that there’s all these memories, emotions, places, people, and baggage all sewn into this old, beat-up jacket I have, and even though it’s falling apart, it’s hard to let go of. “Rushmore” is a single from that project; it’s a folk-rock tune filled with angst. The lyrics are centred around the feeling of being a “ghost kid” not really at peace with the way things are, and knowing it’s on me to change it. 

2. How does this release compare with your other projects you had in the

past?

This release feels like a step forward. My earlier singles leaned more stripped down and acoustic, but with Rushmore I really wanted to embrace the energy of playing with my band. We recorded live takes together, which gave it that urgency and grit I’d been chasing.

3. What about this single makes you most proud?

I’m proud that this song captured the energy I set out for. A lot of times during arranging and recording, it can feel like I lose the reins a bit and the final version doesn’t quite match the spark I had at the start. With Rushmore, it landed right. We also didn’t overthink it — we just had fun making it. For the last chorus, I wanted it to sound like a crowd shouting back, so we spread out through the house we were recording in, put a mic in the living room, and yelled “So what!” over and over. Then we layered it again to make it sound like even more people. It gave us the effect I was looking for, and it felt perfectly rock & roll to do it that way.

4. Was there a specific goal you were trying to accomplish with this release?

The main goal was to make an upbeat song and keep it fairly true to the way we play it live. I always get the crowd involved at the end, singing with us, and that’s why I wanted those group vocals at the end. 

5. What inspires you to create music? What motivates you to keep going?

For me, it’s a mix of the way I process life experiences, needing to get something out of my body, wanting to connect both with myself and with other people, a little bit of striving in a general sense, and honestly, I just think making music is really cool… 

6. If you could collaborate with anyone – dead or alive, famous or unknown – who would it be and why? If it’s an indie/DIY artist, please include a link so readers can check them out.

That’s a tough one. Jack Johnson played a huge role in shaping my love of music and vibe — he was actually my first concert as a kid at Burl’s Creek — so on the spot I’d probably choose him to jam with. But on a sentimental note, my Nonno was an incredible orchestra and jazz sax/clarinet player. He taught me a lot of the jazz guitar chords I still use today. Being able to time-travel and record him on one of my original songs in his prime would be pretty epic.

7. What was the last song you listened to? Favorite all-time bands/artists?

Last song: “The surgeon” By Jacob Diamond 

Favorite all-time bands/artists? :  Ohh God, to name a few .. Billy Joel, Pink Floyd, Andy Shauf, Paul Simon, Gregory Alan Izakov, Damien Rice

8. Where is the best place to find you and stay connected?

These days, Instagram is best @roganmei

9. I really appreciate your time. Is there anything you’d like to share before we sign off?

Thanks for having me, and for giving people a chance to peek into what my world is about right now. If anyone wants to connect or share input, I’m always open to it and pretty responsive unless I have a tone going on. Hope you liked the song!