St. Petersburg has spawned a tight-knit artist community and fresh dynamics are always popping up on the scene, which keeps things from becoming stagnant. One of the Bay area's freshest collabs of 2016 is the duo otherwise known as RGSM. The multi-talented multi-instrument juggling Rogerthomas (who played drums with us at the AfroPunk battle and juggled a solo set for Polyenso as well as beat-keeping duties with QueenofEx last Saturday night) has teamed up with Rachel Alex for a neo-soul jazz-fusion experience delivered with some serious attitude. Neither are strangers to performance, and have come together in a way that feels effortless, as if they’ve been making music together for lifetimes.
It’s all about ambiance and Ms. Rachel Alex has the medicine. She turns up the heat with her confidence, serving up a double-dose of pipes-and-keys talent that balances Rogerthomas and his kit command, her airy and punchy vocals soaring seamlessly against keyboard melodies, the instrument clearly an extension of her being, while Rogerthomas is bold and straightforward, calling on these traits while simultaneously acting as the maestro of vibes, his percussive finesse and technique on point. These two sprung up like flowers on a spring day, and their live sets literally leave people standing in the street waiting just to get another taste.
Making music with someone requires trust, a symbiotic understanding, a whole lot of flexibility, and the utmost respect for each others' artistry. RGSM shows you the true meaning of coming together for a higher purpose and you can feel it from the very first note. Sometimes the universe has a funny way of getting like minds into the same room to create magic. Our close friendship with such talented musicians allowed us to get an intimate, impromptu interview and a peek into the life of RGSM.
Fresh off the release of their first single “Wild One,” these two are ready to take the world by storm with undeniable talent and a whirlwind of passion. Inspired by a skydiving trip, Alex offers up a unique perspective on this thing called life — plain and simple, this is just really good sexy music. Read up below, give them a listen, and experience two souls following their dreams while changing the game.
SAINT: What does music mean to you?
Roger: Music is just the way I express myself. Truest form of expression. Sometimes I'll talk and shit, and stumble over my words and they won't come out right. But with music it'll typically come out how I intended it to sound. It's just what I'm here to do, and I know that.
SAINT: Definitive purpose you would say?
Roger: Yeah.
Rachel: It's the one thing I'm really really good at. You know, we all have that one thing.
SAINT: When did you start internalizing that you personally were good at music? Did it come through people telling you?
Rachel: Yes exactly. It came from people validating. You know, 'cause we're artists, so we take it personal; we're being vulnerable. So to get the feedback it makes it worth it.
Roger: I like this artists interviewing artists idea. This is cool.
Rachel: Yeah, it's chill
SAINT: If you had to give up one sense to save the others, which would it be?
Rachel: I feel like we've talked about this.
Roger: We have.
Rachel: Eyesight! Because smells brings you back to memories, and it's so instant. Touch, you gotta be able to touch and feel things. If I didn't have my ears, well, you know…
Roger: I can only think of like, 4 fucking senses. What the fuck is the fifth sense?
DEA: Taste?
Roger: Taste yes! Thank you. Yo, that's a hard one though. Would I rather lose eyesight or taste? I feel like I would lose sight over taste. Taste is less superficial than what eyesight brings.
DEA: Taste is honest.
Roger: Sight is based on things that aren't super meaningful, and perception.
DEA: Favorite spot to grub downtown?
Rachel: La V in downtown St. Pete. I've gone there for a long time now. I usually get the tofu salad or the Vermicelli bowl.
SAINT: Sounds fancy, I don't even know what that is!
Rachel: Oh yeah, you'd like that.
DEA: What about you Roger?
Roger: Ummm … I mean, honestly I haven't found a single place that's on par with my own cooking. I'm not really impressed by any of these fools out here.
DEA: OOOOOOh! Clap back! Shots fired!
Roger: No, honestly, I'd say maybe Red Mesa 'cause the vibe is cool. Plus they either give free hand-crafted margaritas or a double for the price of one. They treat me REALLY well there.
SAINT: Describe your creative process in three words.
Rachel: Sit, Play, Progress. I challenged myself to write a song a day for 50 days. I didn't really know why I was doing it, but I stuck to it. Coming out of it I realized that writers block is such a false thing. It's only if you give light to it. I just sat down at the piano and kept going. If you just sit there and don't leave until you create something, you will.
Roger: Inspiration, Vibe, Fucks (With it)
SAINT: Fucks??
Roger: I'd say fucks with but that's like two words.
Rachel: You mean three words?
DEA: Eyyyyy! You know it makes sense though. Cause you get inspired, you feel the vibe, then you fucks with it. I feel you!
Roger: I want to force myself to make a beat a day. If I'm inspired enough to vibe, then I fucks with it.
DEA: How was RGSM born?
Rachel: I met Roger at Nine 10 at an Open Mic. There were like five people there. I was playing keys.
Roger: I was one of five [laughs].
Rachel: I packed up keys ready to leave, and Roger comes in and plays the guitar. I'm like, where the hell did this guy come from? Incredible! We ended up jamming together later and that was that.
SAINT: Give us a taste of your vision for music?
Roger: What do I foresee? For RGSM, I foresee us recording an EP and playing lots of shows. In the next 2-3 months setting up and embarking on a tour. Def recording prior to that.
Rachel: Doing a Florida tour soon. In the next couple months.
SAINT: Do you guys see yourself staying in the city and using it as a homebase?
Rachel: No, I want to move out of the city to make waves. It would be nice to start out here. I love the way that St. Pete's art culture is growing now. This is the perfect time to start a project like this, 'cause it's nice to be a part of the movement. St Pete is still in the underground with its art scene, but it's on the come up. If things work out here, we can move it elsewhere.
DEA: What's the biggest struggle on the path to success?
Rachel: Life is pretty good right now. Being in a band has all kinds of dynamics, even if there are just two people. Different personalities are bound to clash. I feel like I apologize a lot for being very blunt, but he's awesome to work with. Chris Martin had this great saying, I forget it word for word. But it was — "sometimes you need tension on a string to create a sound." Sometimes you do need that tension to bring that expression out.
Roger: As far as the band is concerned, I don't see any struggles right now. No barriers. I'm currently trying to understand why inspiration comes and goes so much. I want to figure out a way to keep it more steady. In daily life I'm constantly inspired, but it doesn't always translate to music.
Rachel: You need to get your heart broken. That's when the creativity will come.
DEA: Proudest achievement – big or small.
Roger: My proudest achievement is definitely conquering opiate addiction of five years.
DEA: That's a very relatable struggle around here for a lot of people.
Rachel: Getting accepted, and going to Berkley College of music. I went to the five-week summer program after junior year in high school. Had a blast. Met people like me. My buddy asked me to audition for the school, for a chance to win scholarship money. I filled out forms to apply for the next five-week summer program. After my audition the judges switched paper work and signed me up for the school. It was kind of weird how that happened.
DEA: Do you remember the first time music hit your soul?
Rachel: I used to play flute in all county concert band in middle school. The conductor had us all play some song I don't quite remember, but we all played one note of the measure. It was a C and the entire band played it. I've never had chills like that moment. It was a defining moment. This is the best high. It made me realize that I had to be doing music.
Roger: For as long as I remember I've been singing. My parents have tapes of me singing when I was like six. So I imagine music hit my soul then 'cause I'm still singing now. Consciously though, was when The Royal Tenenbaums came out, and there was a song on there by Nico from The Velvet Underground called "These Days." I learned how to finger pick for the first time because of that track. It pretty much changed my life and the way that I play the guitar.
SAINT: What does success mean to you?
Rachel: Accomplishing all of your goals and dreams, and in the process changing lives through that for the better.
Roger: I would say success is defined by your consistent emotional state of being on a long-term basis by whatever it is you're doing. If you are happy and fulfilled with what you're doing consistently, then that would make you successful. Enjoying the journey.
DEA: Is your music attached to any particular message?
Rachel: I don't think so. I mean, I write the lyrics. It's just plain fucking good music. People are listening to shit today … bullshit. If we can change the way that people listen to music, then I would feel accomplished. It's all about bringing people together.
Roger: There's a lot of consistent things with this project that seem to be reiterating the same thing to me. We came together and really respected each other's abilities, and ears, for music. Just off the vibes with each other, and being hyped on how easy it is to work with each other. We just try to have fun.
DEA: Favorite local venue?
Rachel: Jannus Live, although we haven't played it. I grew up here, so that place was a huge part of my youth. I've been going to concerts there since I was a kid. So many memories. It'd be nice to play there.
Roger: I like most of the venues down here for various reasons. I would definitely say Fubar or somewhere else. For a lot of reasons. I like the fact that Fubar books fucking anybody, and the sound is always on point 'cause of Jason Feder.
SAINT: Pick two people/bands to go on tour with.
Roger: Can I bring people back from the dead?
SAINT: In real life … nah. But for the interview, yes.
Roger: Right on [laughs]. Definitely Hiatus Kaiyote. I listened to them a lot at work. I got saturated with them, stepped away then came back. When I first met Rachel she introduced me to them. Then Nikhil Banerjee, but not cause he sounds like us. More like I would want to bring him back from the dead just to be in his presence.
Rachel: Hiatus Kaiyote! Our sound is very much like them. Then probably Phony People, my friend Matt plays drums with them.
DEA: What's sexy to you?
Roger: Somebody being real to themselves. Rawness. I find confidence and drive sexy. Or just like someone who really doesn't give a fuck.
Rachel: Confidence and creativity. I know what I want.
Follow RGSM on their Website, Facebook and Instagram.
\\This article appears in Jul 21-28, 2016.