Snob & Answer: Role Model
In our latest Snob & Answer, we chatted with Role Model about tour life, Gracie Abrams, and his best fatherly advice.
While researching for this interview, I went to the most reliable source I could think of to get the dirt on celebs of our modern, overtly public age: TikTok. After sifting through the seemingly endless two-step dance trends, thirst trap edits, and gossipy “he-said-she-said” clickbait that appears when you search Role Model, I landed on a page brandishing the username “saintlaurentcowboy.” Serving as the burner account for the new-age musical heartthrob, anyone who scrolls through will uncover a wealth of “off-the-cuff” monologues, viral voice-over dubs, and guerrilla marketing tactics disguised as witty, unassuming social media skits (We see your game, Tucker).
But one thing that cuts through all the playful social media commotion: Role Model seems like a really chill guy. And not in the pseudo-intimate, almost uncanny fashion most influencers appear online, but in the way that I’d probably offer to buy the guy a beer if we met at a local bar—he gives Coors Banquet energy.
My initial feelings proved correct after catching up with the burgeoning artist during an off-day in Dallas between shows. Rather than getting someone smugly reveling in the fact that they just released the biggest album of their career, Kansas Anymore, and are now in the middle of a seven-month-long intercontinental tour, I observed the same poised, grounded guy I clocked on my feed. It’s clear the laid-back 20-something exudes a specific self-awareness that’s rare among ascending talents of the same ilk. From poking fun at being nominated People Magazine’s “sexiest man alive” to readily praising his peers every chance he gets, Role Model maintains a certain mindfulness that prevents him from devolving into an attention-hungry prima donna.
Role Model is more than just your handsome, tattooed boy next door, though, as proved by the toe-tapping earworms like “blind” and “Deeply Still In Love." Grappling with relatable emotions and internal strife, a specific gravity anchors the musician’s work, artfully juxtaposing the upbeat and spirited sonics employed across his discography. Tiptoeing the line between neo-folk and amalgamated pop country, the auspicious loverboy will have anyone shamelessly dancing like they're the only one in the room while secretly contemplating sending that person a quick text message. A contradictory mix, perhaps, but, hey, that’s why there’s only one Role Model.
One of my favorite questions to start these interviews, especially when people are on tour, is: What did you do this morning? What got you going today?
Okay, so this morning, I woke up in Dallas somehow. We checked into the hotel and got coffee with the crew. After that, I ran off to this vintage store that I'm obsessed with here called Nylo Wool and got myself a nice little shirt. Then I just came back here and laid by the pool.
This is not normal by any means, though. This was an off day—a bit of luxury.
Do you cherish those off days? I feel like they have to be such a relief with the marathon that tour can be.
100 percent! I feel like we utilize every second of an off day in this crew. I’ve been touring with the same group for the past few years, and they’re really good at dragging me out and getting me to do things. It’s always fun, though, I can’t lie.
So, when you’re not touring, are you usually a morning or night type of person?
Oh, I'm a morning guy, easily. The only thing I don't like about touring is that it takes me out of my routine. I love my structure, and honestly, doing the same thing daily keeps me sane.
Just from this brief conversation about life on the road, I can tell it’s not for the faint of heart. How do you prepare for something like non-stop travel for over a year?
I pretty much only hear horror stories about tour life, especially in documentaries and stuff. But, again, from my own experience, I think the most important thing is the people that you're stuck in a bus with for months on end. And I have a really fun, good group around me. I genuinely miss them when we’re done. And I don't know how many artists can say the same.
But is there any actual preparation you do? Like, is there a special juice cleanse or crazy workout routine you go through to get yourself right?
[Laughs] No, but I've seen stuff like that. I think I saw something where Miley Cyrus runs on a treadmill and sings at the same time to practice being on stage. I don’t do anything like that, but I did start running a lot, so I guess I accidentally prepared myself. My main focus was getting really comfortable with the guitar, knowing that I wanted to have that in my hands for the majority of the shows. Adding that just made everything even more fun than before.
Another highlight is that you’ve been performing with a dear friend of Highsnobiety, Gracie Abrams. Tell me a bit about how you guys first connected.
Oh, man, we’ve been friends for years now. She was, actually, one of the first people I met and was hanging around when I moved to LA. I have to say, I was a Stan from the beginning. In interviews, I would always shout her out and say, "She is the one. She is up next." And here she is. Now, to be invited to come tour with her is such an honor.
What's one thing that people wouldn’t expect about Gracie?
She must have an insane ab workout because that’s all I’m seeing on Twitter right now. I would love for her to help me out in that arena.
Your album Kansas Anymore came out a couple of months ago. How are you feeling about the reception since its release?
Honestly, I'm still blown away. I keep my expectations pretty low for everything in life. You obviously have a lot of people in your ear being like, "This is going to be huge. This is going to be amazing, blah, blah, blah." I get that, but I always take it with a grain of salt because what else are they going to say?
My one goal was to make a top to bottom listen. Something that felt like one world. It was cool that people understood what I was trying to do.
There are a lot of serious thoughts and deep emotions you’re grappling with on the record. How do you reflect on the content of the album now?
I want to say I was a completely different person, but I don't think I was. Making [the album] feels like years ago, but at the same time it’s very much who I am still right now. It is obviously inspired by a breakup, but I don't listen to it and get emotional about what I'm talking about in the songs. Mentally, I'm doing a lot better, and I've moved on. But I listen to it frequently, and it still holds up, I guess, as far as my taste goes.
I'd love to come back to this conversation in like five years and see how you feel.
I'm sure after touring this album for a year, I'm going to be like, "Yeah, fuck this." It’s inevitable to grow out of things. As soon as I start working on the next project, maybe I’ll think to myself, "Oh, this is me!" But, at the moment, I'm still loving the current record.
Alright, on a lighter note, can you blind rank these five items I give you? The first one is “a solo late-night drive.”
I'm going to put that at a two.
Two is high. Next, we have “a Maine lobster roll.”
Five, because I don't eat lobster or seafood. I've never eaten anything from the ocean, nor will I.
Next: “cowboy hats.”
I'll put that at a four.
Then we have a “surprise compliment.” You're just going about your day and someone hits you with a nice compliment out of nowhere.
That's great. I'll put that at a three. I could live with that.
So, that means at number one, we have “saintlaurentcowboy.”
No. Fuck saintlaurentcowboy. I would put that off the scale. It would be at a 10. I hate that guy.
To close out, since you are Role Model, I thought it would be fun to do some “role play,” if that's fine with you.
[Laughs] Okay, sure!
So I'm your teenage son, and I'm coming to you about this super pretty girl at school that I’m really nervous to talk to. You’re a seasoned veteran. What should I do here?
Okay, son. When you go to school tomorrow, I want you to wear my old football letterman jacket with a backward hat. Then, go lean against the locker with one foot up behind you and your hands in your pocket, real cool guy style. And when she walks by, I want you to just give her this. [Nods]. And I think she'll land in your lap, son. I promise.
Dad, thank you so much. You’re the best! I'll let you know how it goes.
I believe in your son. You got this!
See Role Model on tour and stream Kansas Anymore everywhere now.
