Published: April 04, 2009 9:37 PM EST
By: Isaac Davis Jr., MBA (Juniorscave.com)
New Music Spotlight April 2009 Edition
Derek Jordan
Derek Jordan
What really makes Derek Jordan stand out is the type of music he is making. A combination of Psych, Alternative, and Rock Derek's meaningful lyrics, melodious tunes, and expressive storytelling is the winning combination. Each track from his CD tells a story. With a commanding voice, Derek is simply one of the best in Indie music that is currently out. Derek recently took time from his busy schedule to speak with our Webzine in this out of the world spotlight. Enjoy!
Isaac: How do you sum up 2008 for Derek Jordan?
Derek: 2008 was a year of learning and growing for me. I withstood the breakup of the band I started and held together when I moved out to Los Angeles in June 2007. I learned from the breakup of yet another band that the only way I could build upon my music career without having start all over again and again was to start a solo career. I realized I would incur more expenses but it was a far greater trade off to be to hold myself and no one else 100% accountable for my music career.
I decided in summer of '08 to begin compiling new material and record my first full length album. I spent a lot of time thinking about my brand, musical message, and what I felt most passionate about to stand for with my music. I wrote an album's worth of songs, linked up with Ryan Dennison of Recording Studio LA, bassist Sean Finn, drummer Stefano Ashbridge, and went to work. The album was completed late January '09.
Isaac: Expound a little about growing up in Steel City, Pittsburgh, PA. What was your fondest memory from growing up in Steel City, Pittsburgh, PA?
Derek: Steel City has a very conservative, blue collar, classic rock feel. Pittsburgh enables a very comforting atmosphere, where the city is small and familiar everywhere you go. I learned guitar by playing along my favorite classic rock artists Led Zeppelin, Eric Clapton, and Jimi Hendrix. I went to my first rock show in seventh grade, The Who! I love all of the seasons and fond memories of growing up in Pittsburgh, but I had to leave because I felt the need to become more independent and grow as an individual.
Los Angeles is such a better fit for me because so many people are here to pursue their dreams in art. The conservative mindset of Pittsburgh doesn't think outside the box. You're born, go to school, take SATs, go to a "good" school, get a "good" job, get married, and have kids. That's the expectation. I didn't want my life to be that predetermined. I am too ambitious and expressive for that! My fondest memories are surely watching my sports teams the Pittsburgh Penguins and Steelers. Pittsburgh has the strongest home team loyalty of any city. Everyone bleeds "black and gold", from the kindergartners to the grandmas.
I don't get to watch much of my teams anymore because, one, they aren't televised that often on the west coast, and, two, after watching the Steelers win their recent championships, I've realized that it is more important and satisfying for me to be a part of achievement rather than just watching it. I want to accomplish my goals more than watching others accomplish theirs. I think my favorite athlete Sidney Crosby, of the Penguins, would feel the same, and he has accomplished so much. I use these athletes as inspiration more than entertainment.
Isaac: What do you feel was your biggest accomplishment for 2008?
Derek: My biggest accomplishment was definitely putting together and recording my debut album "Identity". The whole process of doing everything myself, from finding a studio, funding the project all by myself, and hiring musicians was new to me. But I set a goal and did it.
Isaac: Elaborate a little about whom were your biggest influences in the music industry and why?
Derek: Led Zeppelin has always been my favorite band but my biggest influence is Chris Cornell. Cornell has become even more influential with his recent release of "Scream" because he refuses to be restrained by boundaries. To me, music is about reinventing your expressive art. Many music fans are upset when a band/artist changes their sound. But it is so important that they do! It's what art is. Look at the Beatles. They were the pioneers of reinventing themselves and every time they did they opened a new chapter in music. Cornell also has the greatest voice in rock in my opinion. His lyrics are very spiritual, which I feel mine are too.
Isaac: Let's talk about what you feel you will bring to the music industry?
Derek: I believe that people undermine themselves and let go of what they truly want with their lives. If you ever watch a child play, you'll see that they have no boundaries; they sing and laugh out loud where ever they want and are more courageous than most adults. As they get older, this changes, their parents and peers tell them what they can and can't do. They become molded, robotic, and conventional. I want to wake people out of just going through the motions of life. I want people to truly LIVE.
I feel I can bring a voice to the music industry, an honest voice that encourages people not to be afraid of what others will think what they are passionate about in life. My music is Psych Alternative Rock. It focuses on human behavior, individuality, and resisting conformity. The public is trained to think inside the box. They are trained to think that an extraordinary life is unobtainable, only reserved for those of luck on TV. Luck comes to those that are prepared. You create your opportunities. Every thing you think, say, and feel becomes your results. I don't sing about parties, drinking, and banging chicks. I sing about the mind, passion, habitual behavior, and significance. I sing about change, hope, and letting yourself free.
Isaac: You have an interesting tattoo. Describe this tattoo and its meaning.
Derek: My tattoo is a tribal eagle. I love Native American culture and the eagle resembles all the characteristics of individuality, leadership, and bravery. In Native American culture, the eagle watches every thing from overhead. I am very aware of my surroundings and understand how people feel. I got the tattoo before I left Pittsburgh. I felt the presence of the eagle would help remind me to stay strong, be brave, and soar to my own tune.
Isaac: If you had an opportunity to work with one artist or group, who would it be and why?
Derek: I would go back to Chris Cornell on this one. I love the melodies he writes. I would love to have his input on my songs. He's such a fantastic songwriter.
Isaac: How would you describe your music to others?
Derek: Psych Alternative Rock. I write about human behavior, the way we think, why we think, what we crave, why we crave, what life means to us, what we do with our lives, the power of fearless desire and passion, and I use alternative rock as the vehicle to express this. My music promotes individuality, identity, and resists conformity. My music reaches your heart and mind and how you really feel about your life.
Isaac: What is your definition for Rock Music?
Derek: Riffs, solos, minor keys, passionate vocals from the gut, and fans belting along. There is lots of rock music, but I can only get done to rock that is meaningful in its content and has more dimensions than one.
Isaac: What type of feedback have you received from your previous releases?
Derek: Virtually nothing newsworthy until the release of "Identity". People of loving the music. They love its honesty, originality, emotion, and message. They love that I am my music in real life. I encourage people in everyday talk just as I do with my music. I'm the same person on and off stage. People have drawn the psychological parallel and message I'm promoting. The other day, one of my Twitter friends told me that my song "Hold on Tight" got her through the night because it speaks of holding on through what may seem long an everlasting loneliness. Do you know how satisfying it is to hear how much a song touched them?!?!
Isaac: What has been the inspiration behind your latest single Goodbye Jupiter released in 2009?
Derek: I really liked this one girl and couldn't understand why she didn't feel the same about me. I thought about her a lot and thought I could change her, but I couldn't. It was a void. I wanted her but couldn't get her, almost like you are trying to hug air, using the motion but coming up empty. I think everyone can relate to this sometime in their lives. Space is a big interest of mine. You can fit more than 1,320 Earth's inside Jupiter, it is massive! Knowing the gravitational force on Earth, you can only imagine what it would be on Jupiter. Its gravitational pull is so strong it pulls in meteors and asteroids in it. The inspiration was using Jupiter as a metaphor for the girl I liked. The gravitational pull was her presence in my mind. I had to say goodbye and leave every thought of her in the abyss of space. I had to blast off and leave the thought of ever being with her. I love the fact that some scientists think that Jupiter was a failed star! She wasn't meant to be.
Isaac: What can fans expect from your latest CD, you are working on currently? What is the inspiration behind the CD?
Isaac: What can fans expect from Derek Jordan in 2009?
Derek: Fans can expect me to be pushing my music more than ever now that I have a full length album and a core message I'm promoting. They can expect at least one kick ass show a month in Los Angeles, and then a possible tour in late summer. I'm in the midst of doing a music video for "Goodbye Jupiter". The biggest thing for 2009 will be using what I have to spread the awareness of my music, first by focusing most on Los Angeles, and then by branching out. They can expect me to be a relentless voice of individualism and encouragement.
Isaac: Time for some shout outs to your family, friends, and fans…
Derek: I want to thank my parents for their unconditional love and allowing me to pursue what makes me happiest, music. All of the equipment and lessons they paid for when I was in my teens means so much, it makes me want to cry thinking about it. My best friend and actor Matt Rocklin. We drove out to Los Angeles together after finishing college in Chicago. We are each others' biggest fans and supporters. I know there is lots of great music out there, so the fans that take a liking to mine mean the world to me. Without the fans there is no music. Without the ears, smiles, tears, and feeling to embrace and support your music, you are left playing to yourself in your bedroom and that's no fun! I love sharing my music with my fans. I love it, I love it, I love it. Thank you!
Isaac: Final words from Derek Jordan…
Derek: I can't wait to see what comes next. Everyday I'm a step further than I was the day before. It is such an exciting journey doing what I love. I wish to encourage people to do the same. Don't do the same thing over and over again and expect change if you aren't content with where you are going in life. Life hands you no favors, you have to earn it. You have to taste it and grab it. Be a warrior. We are so comfortable with containment these days we associate pain with branching out of it. You have to do it! Like the great leaders of the past, be fearless and believe in yourself.
