In the Chair: He is Short and Long, He’s Jordan Wilson

In the Chair is a regular feature on Eventalaide, highlighting artists from across Australia and occasionally overseas. Everyone gets the same questions. It is just meant to be a bit of fun so please treat it as such.

Questions by Geoff Jenke

An artist, songwriter and performer already firmly established for his work with indie duo Georgia Fair, Jordan Wilson has been steadily evolving his own solo creative works, with a debut solo album building on the horizon following the release of his debut solo single Totem and its follow up Terminals. Signing a major label deal at the age of 21, Jordan has previously landed two albums in the Top 100 ARIA charts, lived and recorded in Australia, Europe and America, and has previously toured and performed alongside the likes of John Mayer, Paul Kelly and Kate Miller-Heidke. Also recently publishing his first ever book last year, a collection of short stories and poems Some Short, Some Long, Jordan is set to weave more musical and creative magic beyond 2022; but there’s still plenty of magic left as the year draws to a close, including some live shows on the cards set to showcase even more Jordan’s solo work up close and personal, as Jordan concludes, “I think I’ll be going out as a duo for this run of shows. I’m still writing the album and trying songs out on the audience, so it’s nice to show them bare bones to really get down to the core of the message and see what comes across and what doesn’t.”

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Name: Jordan Wilson

In less than 50 words describe your music and yourself.
An attempt at discovering the deepest aspects of myself and then letting that all go and just seeing what comes out. A meditation or a trance. Play. As far as myself goes, simplicity, nature and a laugh.

What was the first record you bought with your own money and where from?
System Of A Down, Toxicity – Actually I gave my Uncle the money to get it for me as it was 18 +. I remember it was Hornsby Westfields, maybe Myer or something like that.

80’s or 90’s Music:
Tough, probably 80’s overall but 90’s for Nirvana.

What music are you currently listening to?
I’ve been listening to a lot of Bill Callahan and Joanna Newsom recently, Mimi Gilbert as well.

The best live artist/band you’ve seen:
I recently saw Agnes Obel at the City Recital Hall in Sydney, she had two Cello’s on stage doing crazy things, it blew my mind.

Your “In the mood for love” song:
Paradise Circus by Massive Attack.

Your favourite Saturday night party record?
Still Bill by Bill Withers, or something by Dope Lemon.

Your favourite Sunday morning chill out record?
Holly Throsby – Team

Which song do you wish you had written?
Leonard Cohen – Famous Blue Raincoat although a wise man once said, ‘be careful of the wisdom you haven’t earned.’ I’m sure Leonard didn’t listen to that though.

Roger Daltry once said “Rock N Roll has no future”. Do you agree with him?
Yes, it is a fool’s errand, with no future or no past. The name has probably just changed, but I’m sure it’s still out there.

Vinyl, CD or Streaming?
Streeeeeam. We’ve been meaning to get a new needle for our record player at home for some time. I am a fan of access and ease.

If you could record or play live with any artist (dead or alive), who would it be?
I’d probably go for someone who seems fun in the studio, let’s say Bob Marley.

What is the most useless talent you have?
Meditating.

Your finest recorded moment?
The string section in my new song Terminals.

Who is your musical hero and what one question would you ask them?
Nick Cave – How did you survive it?

Dying, peacefully on your death bed, what song would you like to hear?
Joanna Newsom – Go Long.

Stuck on a desert island for a year and can only take three albums. What would they be?
Joanna Newsom – Have One on Me
Bill Callahan – Dream River
Low – Ones and Sixes

Favourite all time movie:
Garden State

If you drove an ice cream van, what music would you play?
Nick Cave – Red Right Hand, serving only bloody Sundays.

Best show you have ever played in your career:
The Quarry Amphitheatre in Perth a while ago, the birds were flying by and the sun was setting and a few old friends came by that I hadn’t seen in a while.

Any backstage incident that makes you laugh?
All of them, I get pretty nervous and blabber.

Neil Young or Paul McCartney?
Neil Young, though I’m appreciating Paul more and more as I get older.

Who is the nicest person in Rock n Roll at the moment?
Isn’t it Dave Grohl?

What do you hope the next 12 months holds for you?
 I’d like to play more shows and start working on my next single. Who knows maybe Greece or Fiji?

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The sonic equivalent of entering a dream world, the new single Terminals, the latest outing from Sydney singer-songwriter Jordan Wilson, murmurs and charms with otherworldly delights. Inspired by a cultural reset, Leonard Cohen and some well-timed real-life absurdity.

A fluid, intimate and atmospheric dive into Jordan’s heady musical world, Terminals marks the second single from Jordan’s solo endeavours, following on from the melancholic and delectably gripping 2021 track Totem. Boasting glimmering soundscapes, lush melodics and languid intensity, Terminals charms in its abstract yet approachable creative universe, as if Thom Yorke, Nick Cave and Agnes Obel were billowing through a dream accompanied by Jordan’s ever-emboldened stylings. Also inspired by Jordan’s own personal juxtaposition experienced after returning from living in Europe and being on a jobsite back home, Terminals grew from a moment of absurdity into something with much deeper meaning

As Jordan explains, “Terminals was written after I had just gotten back from a stint living in Europe. I was a bit down and lost so my father corralled me in to coming to work for him. My body was in shock from going from sipping lattes on the Parisian streets to digging holes in the Australian suburbs. I overheard one of the other workers at lunch after going to the toilet: “You know mate, no matter how hard I shake it, there’s always two drops left”. I was eating lunch by myself, but it made me laugh out loud on the spot. Something about the absurdity of it all brought me back to earth and I was able to start writing again. That line means something else to me now, but it helps me to appreciate the many situations that life can throw you in.”

Terminals is out now.