You recently released your new single, "Everest," that you co-wrote. Tell us about the writing process and where the idea came from. During a writing session, a songwriter I often work with (Joie Scott) had an idea she wanted to look at together. As I read through the lyrics, I had a really strong feeling and connection to the message. I was dealing with some personal hardships at that time and being really hard on myself. So, for me, the lyrics were an immediate hug and encouraging nudge in a better direction. I picked up the guitar as we were going through the outline of the lyrics, and I started strumming through some chords and humming the melody you hear now. In that moment I knew I needed to record this song. We laid out a rough demo within the hour. That very night, I very excitedly called Alan Parsons and Noah Bruskin to go over available dates for the recording studio. Once in the studio, all of the magic started coming together piece by piece.
At the end of the day, what do you hope is the message of your music? What do you hope people take away from your songs? I express myself through my performances and songs, not necessarily with just words. There are also layers of expression in the notes and textures I am singing, and in the musical arrangement itself. I want the music to create a space for everyone listening. That’s what I am creating for myself when writing and performing, and that is what I am trying to share with the world. From a lyrical standpoint, I want my songs to represent and talk to the human experience, feelings and thoughts we all see every day with perspective and substance. With my most recent release “Everest,” I hope it serves as a message of inspiration and lets anyone who needs to hear it know that they matter and the fight to push forward past the obstacle(s) is worth it. Did you always want to be a musician or was there a specific moment that something happened that made you think "this is what I want to do with my life." If so, what was it? I have always wanted to be a professional musician. I remember while I was in elementary school, third grade I believe, there was some sort of class career project where every student needed to speak on their personal dream career choice and the path ahead of them to get there. Students' answers and presentations varied between Firefighter, Police Officer, Fashion Designer, Banker, etc. Mine was, as I’m sure you can guess, to be a professional musician. I didn’t even know that I was a singer yet, I just knew that music was in me and that was what I was meant to do. Who have been some of your biggest musical influences growing up and do the same artists currently continue to influence you now? Oh, so many influences. I was fortunate that my parents listened to some really great music. My dad was a drummer so his whole thing was “the groove” as he used to say, and my mother was a huge lover of music too. I grew up listening to the Everly Brothers, Queen, The Beatles, Sam Cooke, Steve Winwood, Etta James, Elton John, The Eagles, Aretha Franklin, Peter Gabriel, The Who, Paul Simon and more. I listened to so many different artists and loved them all. As a vocalist though, I really taught myself in the beginning by pulling from Steve Perry of Journey and David Pack of Ambrosia. I also was fascinated by the art of harmonies with some serious woodshedding to *NSYNC and Backstreet Boys. My rehearsal space was my car 8-10 hours a day while I delivered pizza in the summer, so I sang to all these artists everyday all day. My other vocal influences include John Farnham and Paul McCartney. What’s the best advice you have ever gotten from another musician? I have two, the first being a great reminder. “Never compare yourself or your work to another artist and their work.” This next piece of advice is specific to performing – “Jordan, you’re familiar with the phrase, ‘break a leg’? Forget all that, go break a heart!”
What is your favorite dish to cook? My favorite food to cook personally is my spaghetti Bolognese accompanied by roasted garlic focaccia bread with a parmesan and butter spread. It’s a process though. It takes a few hours, but oh my, is it worth it when it is time to eat! My wife always insists we have a vegetable too so we like to include a salad, but she usually takes command of that dish as I’m busy making the sauce. What is one food that most people seem to like, but you cannot stand to eat. I am seeing it more and more, but I absolutely cannot get into “Goat cheese” anything. It just tastes like how you think their hoofs would taste, hoofy.. you know?! My wife loves goat cheese, and she is always trying to sneak it into dishes, but I can always taste it and it ruins food for me. Most memorable meal while touring. Where were you and what did it involve? My most memorable meal while touring was in Hamburg, Germany. We were there towards the end of the year and went out to find a Christmas Market which is a very popular tradition in Europe during the holidays. Christmas Markets are about a block or two in size and are made up of a bunch of tents or temporary wooden booths assembled to sell things. You can find trinkets and other gifts, but they also have fresh foods and pastries, too. Sometimes there might even be an artistic decorated Christmas tree section to walk through with lights and music everywhere. One of the appeals of the Christmas Market is the sausage and gluehwein (a hot mulled wine), which is why we always look for them when in Europe during the winter. There is something so special about eating fresh bratwurst, roasted nuts and hot spiced wine in the cold and snowy weather. The market we happened to find was an adult themed one, so every booth was selling an assortment and variety of sex toys with the top sellers all on display in front of every tent. It made for a hilarious and memorable dining experience, and they had some of the best gluewhein we had ever tasted! If I was a bartender, what would you order? A jalapeno muddled Margarita with Don Julio and a Tajin Rim.
Finally, if you could be sponsored by one food/drink brand who would it be and why? Casamigos, preferably the anejo - it’s always included in my catering rider and is one of the few tequilas my wife and I like to drink at home.
Like what you read? Click on the links below to follow and support Jordan online. Stream his latest single "Everest" on all platforms now.
Website: jordanashermusic.com
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