Rogan Mei Channels Angsty Renewal on Anthemic Folk Rock Single "Rushmore (So What)"

With rugged honesty and a streak of youthful defiance, Rogan Mei returns with "Rushmore (So What)," an anthemic folk rock single about missed chances, restless energy, and carving your own path forward. The track is louder and more unapologetic than his earlier reflective work, channeling the friction between wanting change and actually living it. With ringing guitars and a chorus designed to be shouted back, the song captures the feeling of catharsis through sound.

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The origin of "Rushmore (So What)" traces back to a half formed idea that lingered for years before finding its final shape. “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,” Mei shares. While the storyline evolved over time, that lyric remained at the core, eventually becoming the heartbeat of the finished track.

Unlike his last release "Lefroy," which came together in just a few days, "Rushmore (So What)" had a much longer incubation period. Mei revisited the song fragments at a songwriting workshop in 2024, where collaborator Anna Goldsmith encouraged him to reconnect with the raw energy that had first sparked the idea. With additional contributions from bassist and mixing engineer Wesley Covey and the full band, the song transformed into one of the most driving and memorable tracks from his forthcoming EP Dickies Green Plaid Jacket.

For Mei, the song became a necessary release, both sonically and emotionally. “It’s one of the edgier feeling songs I’ve written and I like that it’s a little rockier than the rest of my set. Playing it live is a fun change of energy – I usually say a little intro speech about channeling angst and then get the crowd joining in with yelling the repeated ‘So what!’ at the end.” That sense of collective energy is baked into the recording, making the track feel like it was built for late night singalongs and cathartic moments of letting go.

"Rushmore (So What)" also sets the tone for Dickies Green Plaid Jacket, Mei’s upcoming EP that reflects on northern living, lost chances, and the pursuit of renewal. The project was recorded in his childhood home, which he temporarily converted into a studio surrounded by open fields and forest. That environment brought a sense of memory and atmosphere to the songs, grounding them in the landscapes that shaped him. Across the EP, Mei explores the push and pull of nostalgia and change, balancing intimate reflection with moments of explosive release.

Visually, the single is represented by artwork created by Mitch Graszat, which mirrors the rugged yet youthful spirit of the track. The song’s imagery—references to tattoos, road trips, and missed landmarks—carries the dual weight of memory and defiance, creating a narrative where the act of missing out becomes its own form of rebellion.

Though the song carries an angsty edge, it also hints at renewal. The refrain “So what!” becomes not just a dismissal of regret but a declaration of independence, a reminder that missed chances do not define the road ahead. By channeling both frustration and freedom, Mei delivers a track that feels deeply personal yet undeniably communal.

With "Rushmore (So What)," Rogan Mei expands his musical palette, leaning further into folk rock grit while retaining the lyrical depth that defines his songwriting. The single offers a glimpse into the restless energy at the heart of Dickies Green Plaid Jacket and confirms Mei’s ability to capture the contradictions of youthful defiance and thoughtful reflection in equal measure.

"Rushmore (So What)" is available now on all streaming platforms.