Jordan Wilson’s Terminals
Sydney singer-songwriter Jordan Wilson has released his new track ‘Terminals’, new song is dreamlike with the charms of otherworldly delights. Inspired by a cultural reset, Leonard Cohen and some well-timed real-life craziness, ‘Terminals’ is also accompanied by the release of a captivating and strong music video. We got the chance to talk to Jordan so we asked him about the new song, what it was like to work with his real-life partner Maria Marsh(Motion Sickness) and the release of his first book ‘Some Short, Some Long’.
For those that haven’t heard your music before, how do you describe your sound? What genre label do you give yourself?
My music has a folk foundation, although I like to get a bit experimental in the studio. It’s usually about the lyrics and the beat in an attempt to lose myself in something. I play piano and guitar myself and that’s usually how it starts but then I’ll take it to the recording studio, experiment with some 808’s and then pull in some instrumentation around that. I would say it’s cinematic folk music or pop.
Jordan, you have just released your track ‘Terminals’ Tell us about your new song. What does the song mean to you?
The last line ‘We know the way out’ says it all. Do I know the way out? Sometimes I do and writing songs is a big part in finding that. What am I trying to get out of? These are all things I’m exploring with no concrete answer, but there is a deep need to surrender to the keyboard or guitar and play with melody. When I listen back, I can hear myself facing the concept of ageing and finding the humour in that process.
“There is a cleanness that I tend to get from playing the piano as opposed to the guitar which influenced the track ”
What did the writing and creative process look like for the creation of ‘Terminals’?
I was practicing the piano a lot in a little studio. I have no formal training and little experience with the instrument so I was using my intuition to find something that I liked. That repetitive chord progression stuck with me and the lyrics flowed out. I was travelling a lot at the time so I can feel the vibe of airports and train stations in there as well. There is a cleanness that I tend to get from playing the piano as opposed to the guitar which influenced the track as well, it allows a little more scope for melody.
Did ‘Terminals ‘turn out how you originally envisioned it would or did it morph and take on a different feel or sound?
Working with Daniel Forsyth is also an intuitive process. It’s about seeing how we feel once we are in the room and creating. It’s different from prior projects I’ve worked on where there is more of a set idea. I really enjoy it because I’m becoming more and more like that as I progress in my craft. Which way am I going? See how I feel at the time. There is some prior planning but that gives way to the present moment. I guess what I’m trying to say is I give things a gentle nudge in a certain direction but don’t force it. And if you have to force it, then really force it.
“music is a big part of our relationship, but it actually took some time for us to collaborate together”
‘Terminals’ music video stars you and your Partner, Maia Marsh (of Motion Sickness fame) Had you both talked about collaborating previously to this?
We met at a show so naturally, our music is a big part of our relationship, but it actually took some time for us to collaborate together. It didn’t quite work at first but then when it clicked it just completely locked in. It was like all the hard work we had done in our relationship paid off in an artistic way. I credit Maia with a lot of what I do. She’s a great space holder, she makes me feel comfortable performing which is a big ask.
Will the two of you work on more projects together in the future? Any chance of writing a song together?
We’ve written two songs together and we play in each other’s projects. I think we will do a little recording and mash up some of our stuff. Our relationship is a collaboration whether it’s feeding the dogs or writing a song so we’ll see what comes next.
The ‘Terminals’ video is quirky and original, who came up with the concept for the video?
Myself and Odin Umeofia. If you’ve seen my first video Totem it’s an extension of that. We shot half of it up at Watson’s Bay lighthouse and the other half in the studio. The idea is that it’s the outer and inner realms of one’s psyche. It was a lot of fun.
“The idea is that it’s the outer and inner realms of one’s psyche.”
Were there any memorable moments during the making of it?
It’s the first time I’ve worn makeup so that was a gas.
Is there a full-length Jordan Wilson album coming out soon that fans can look forward to?
That’s the idea but I’ll probably drop an Ep first later next year.
Are there plans for you to tour after your launch show in December at The Old Bar in Fitzroy, VIC??
2023 fingers crossed.
Jordan you recently released your first book titled “Some Short, Some Long” which is a collection of stories & poems. Was publishing a book something you have always wanted to do?
Yeah, it was definitely bucket list material, I’m working on one of the short stories into a novel at the moment and that is definitely on the bucket list. Like climbing a mountain or something. The short stories are a lot of fun, I found more of my humour came through in contrast to my songwriting, I’m trying to get the two worlds to meet now.
“In some ways it feels more vulnerable because it’s more stark and I don’t have the aid of performance or melody”
Was it challenging putting on the author hat or was it a natural progression for a talented songwriter such as yourself?
It’s a different process which made it refreshing. It’s helpful to be a novice at something to access that innocent part of your brain, but there are also similarities which helped the process. Basically a mixture of plugging away and taking that flow state when it comes. Not relying on one or the other. In some ways it feels more vulnerable because it’s more stark and I don’t have the aid of performance or melody, but like I said I was able to lighten up and joke around a bit.
Who in your crew or team deserves a shout out but never gets one? And what is they do that keeps your world turning?
I wanna give a shout-out to my brother Mitchell, stage name Lavrence. He’s a bit of a silent partner, we’re always talking about our artistic worlds and pushing and helping each other where we can. He has been really helpful with the visual representation. I already mentioned Maia, but her tenderness has helped me more than I can say. Daniel Forsyth has been producing with me and much more than that, he can go to that deep space when talking about life and art as well as grab a beer or kick the footy when we need the opposite.
What's next for Jordan Wilson with 2023 almost upon us?
I’m really keen to get this EP finished and do a big launch for that. I’ve been mostly playing solo but I’ve been building the live band slowly in the background so I want to keep working on that. I’m pumped for the next single as well, it seems like I’m getting closer to marrying those worlds of literature and music.
JORDAN WILSON – UPCOMING TOUR DATES:
WED 7 DEC | THE OLD BAR, FITZROY VIC
Supporting Motion Sickness
