Q&A Interview with Jorden Lindsay on behalf of Milford Festival.
This piece was first featured on their website.
This piece was first featured on their website.
Singer-songwriter Jorden Lindsay has dealt with his fair share of troubles over the last few years. After suffering from vocal issues during the early days of his career, his new music is allowing him to move past that and laugh in the face of adversity. Having recently moved from his home in Somerset, this summer sees him explore previously unchartered waters, one of which being Milford’s Music and Arts Festival. Issy Aldridge spoke to Jorden about his debut single, upcoming EP, and everything in between.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR MUSIC?
I write ‘moody’ pop music, taking hints of Folk, Soul, R&B and melding them together to create a mashup of sounds similar to John Martyn, Eva Cassidy, Newton Faulkner, and the likes of Ben Howard. It’s all very rhythm-driven with percussive guitars, dynamic vocals and a bit of live looping.
YOU HAVE PREVIOUSLY SPOKEN ABOUT STRUGGLING WITH VOCAL ISSUES - WHAT’S IT BEEN LIKE COMING BACK FROM THAT?
So when I was living in the Canary Islands I was gigging up to five or six nights a week. I underestimated the importance of vocal health and looking after yourself when placing that sort of demand on your body all the time. Eventually, I’d worn my voice to a point where I couldn’t sing and that’s when I booked the next ticket back to Somerset. Thankfully there was no permanent damage but it was certainly a big slap in the face and it was something I realised I had to address if I was serious about pursuing a career in music.
It’s taken a while to essentially build a new voice, but despite the long journey with many ups and downs, it’s been incredibly enlightening.
I’ve still got a way to go but I’m at ease knowing that I’m making regular progress. Looking back, it was a blessing in disguise and I’m so grateful for it.
AS FOR YOUR MUSICAL HERITAGE, WHAT DID YOU GROW UP LISTENING TO?
My first real love for music came from a CD of Elton John’s greatest hits. It was the only record I could get my hands on and I’d listen to it ritually when going to bed. When I finally had my own pocket money to go out and buy records I discovered the Red Hot Chili Peppers and that led me to find a love for rock bands. I soon acquired a taste for heavier rock music and I was expressing my teen angst through bands like Linkin Park, Thrice, Taking Back Sunday, Atreyu etc. Alongside that, I still loved the old school R&B that was present in the charts at the time, like Craig David, and Justin Timberlake and I think that’s where the R&B influences merge with y melancholy-esque vibes.
I later came across Newton Faulkner and that’s where I’ve gained most of my inspiration. I’ve always preferred the acoustic guitar and seeing how he uses it in a variety of ways. The incorporation of unconventional techniques really appealed to me, so I’ve drawn a lot of influences from him most recently.
YOUR DEBUT SINGLE WAS RELEASED LAST YEAR. WHAT’S THE STORY BEHIND IT?
Like a Flower was something I came up with during the vocal troubles. It’s based on a proverb that’s supposedly used in Buddhist culture which reads: ‘The lotus flower blooms most beautifully from the deepest mud’. Essentially, the concept is that a lotus flower starts it’s journey at the bottom of a dark and murky pond, deep in mud, yet blossoms on the surface totally unscathed by its surroundings.
I wrote the song as a narrative describing the thoughts someone might go through when stepping out of their comfort zone and facing their fears. It took me a long time to release because I was never happy with my voice but I put it out and was really pleased with the response for it. The studio version is a little darker than the music I’m set to release in the future.
SPEAKING OF YOUR NEW MUSIC, WHEN CAN WE EXPECT AN EP?
It’s still early days but I’m so excited about it. There’s no set date yet but I’m aiming to release it by Autumn ready to promote and use at festivals next year.
SO WHAT WAS IT ABOUT MILFORD MUSIC AND ARTS FESTIVAL THAT MADE YOU WANT TO GET INVOLVED?
As I mentioned, I moved here a year ago to explore a new music scene and I happened to move during the same week that the last year’s festival was happening. I was too late to get involved but I got to see parts of it and thought it looked like a great event! Seeing as I’m living in Milford with the festival right on my doorstep, I made sure to try and get involved in it this year and I was pleased to be offered the place. It’s a great opportunity for me to get my name out to local people and surrounding areas.
WHEN YOU FINISH YOUR SET, WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR AFTERWARDS?
I’d really love to stick around for a drink and watch the other acts but I’ve got another gig later that night. A little gutted! I will, however, be playing a Sunday afternoon set at The Beach House. I can relax a bit more with that one and stick around afterwards for a drink.
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