Roger Jaeger speaks with Essentially Pop about his latest single, ‘Grandpa’s Ghost‘, as well as his music, his inspirations, and what lies ahead for him.
Can you tell us more about the inspiration behind ‘Grandpa’s Ghost’?Â
I never met my dad’s dad because he died of lung cancer before I was born. My dad didn’t see him from the ages of about 6 to 22 because my grandparents had divorced and my grandfather moved to Colorado and started a new family. For this reason I’ve been angry at him for much of my life. But as I get older I realize how complicated life can be, and how sometimes the people we see as villains are often more nuanced than we realize. I also look at my own life and wonder if there are areas where I’m like my grandfather, or if I’m capable of making similar choices. And so I wonder what it would be like to meet that grandfather, and what sort of advice he might offer me.Â
What specific moments or feelings from your past influenced the song the most?Â
We visited the other Jaegers in Colorado when I was a boy – there was this whole other side of the family that I hadn’t been around at all. I met my grandfather’s widow and his other grandchildren. It was a confusing experience at the time.
What message do you hope listeners take away from ‘Grandpa’s Ghost’?Â
That the outcomes of our lives are so largely influenced by even the small the choices we make, and that there is opportunity to live well and pass on something good to the next generation.
Can you describe any memorable moments during the creation of ‘Grandpa’s Ghost’?Â
The song started in a hotel room at a casino in Las Vegas. I was there for a music business conference and had time to kill before the first event so I started playing around on the guitar. I finger-picked this simple riff and the lyrics for the first two verses sort of fell out of my mouth. I don’t know how I tapped into my grandfather’s story in that moment, but it was something I deeply needed.
Are there any particular artists or songs that influenced ‘Grandpa’s Ghost’?Â
I don’t know that there’s a specific artist, but ‘Grandpa’s Ghost’ is definitely in line with a style direction I’ve taken over the past couple years. I’ve leaned more fully into the acoustic guitar, finger-picking, and just owning a more Folk/Americana style. It feels like I’m owning my roots and getting into the depths of who I am and where I’ve come from.Â
Can you share some insights into the concept and creative direction behind the music video for ‘Grandpa’s Ghost’?Â
The idea was to have someone play my grandfather as he drove an old truck around. I sat in the back and sang the song as he drove – to symbolize how close we are, how I’m impacted by where he went in life. The video ends with another man driving the same truck – he’s me as an old man, picking up my grandson to spend time with him. The idea is that I desire to give my grandson the gift that I didn’t get from my grandfather – time together.
In what ways do you see your music evolving in the future based on your life experiences?Â
I’ve really enjoyed digging into more personal life stories and circumstances for my songwriting material the last couple years. I’m enjoying this storytelling direction for now – I’m able to be raw and honest and people seem to connect well with that.Â
What’s next for you after ‘Grandpa’s Ghost’?Â
‘Grandpa’s Ghost’ was the first single from a full album that will be released this Spring – called ‘Wander’.
Find out more about Roger Jaeger and his music online on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok. You can watch the beautiful music video for ‘Grandpa’s Ghost’ below.
