Musician Interview with intellectual maverick Derek Jordan

Monday, March 15th, 2010 at 11:43 pm

I really enjoy it when an artist creates their own buzz in the blogosphere. Derek Jordan did just that with his last release Identity and is getting ready to release his newest psychological rock beast entitled Humanist. By taking one look at him, you’d never guess what intellectual and existential discussions were taking place beneath the surface. Luckily, Humanist is that one porthole into the soul that is Derek Jordan.

What was the moment when you decided you wanted to make a career out of music?

I decided I wanted to make a career out of music pretty much the second I stumbled across an old guitar in my grandparents’ attic. I was fascinated by it. I fell in love with it. Sure it started as a boyhood dream, but that dream never left. Music has always been on my mind 24/7 ever since. I love it and your career should be what you love. There’s nothing more to it.

You are currently finishing up your second EP Humanist how have you grown since you last release Identity?

Identity was very raw and had a lot of space. In Humanist I’m putting together songs that are more orchestrated and with less cut-and-paste structures. I love to solo on guitar, but Humanist only has one solo. I’m branching out from predictable song structures. It’s very important for artists to grow with every recording. Art is expression through a medium and must not be contained or become stagnant.

Some have referred to you as “the king of individuality.” Do you agree with this and why?

I’m on a mission to promote individualism, to wake people up from society running their lives. It’s so important to grasp life and squeeze everything out of it. Much of society has lost its individualism and has now become just one big protocol. You shouldn’t live how you’re told but decide for yourself. The catch is, many have forgotten or never learned how to decide for themselves.

Who are some of your influences, both musical and non-musical? Where do your ideals come from?

I have lots of influences. Most of my musical influences come from non-musical sources. I’m inspired by stories in history, personal tales, social psychology, desperation and triumph. These non-musical influences consist of Winston Churchill, Napoleon, Geronimo, Achilles, and Einstein.

I’m very influenced by some athletes too, like Sidney Crosby, who became such a talented hockey player at such a young age. It wasn’t due to his talent. It was because of the mentality, attitude, and work ethic that developed so early in his life. He leads by example and is actually my biggest inspiration in the world.

As for music! Led Zeppelin, Chris Cornell, Stone Temple Pilots, Eddie Vedder, MUSE! I also like film score composers like Hans Zimmer. I grew up on a lot of classic rock but I think we are SO fortunate that there is so much good music coming out right now, more than ever. In the early 2000’s, people were starting to wonder if new music had lost its creative and artistic edge. That’s not the case now! I love discovering new music.

Can you explain the concept behind the red handprint?

The red handprint originates from my individualistic mindset. No two handprints are the same. So no matter how society has shaped you, your handprint remains unique. I wear my handprint on my chest because it is my identity. Everyone should strive to leave their mark in history.

You talk about social psychology, how has that shaped you as an artist?

Most of my songs are about social psychology. I’m fascinated with how society thinks and moves as a whole and the psychology behind it. It goes back to individualism and identity. We are raised on these agreements of how to live because it is what we are taught from our parents and society. They didn’t decide on these agreements, they were taught from those before them. So in reality, no one decides on their own philosophy unless they are aware of social psychology. Instead, mostly everyone just does what they are told. And that is flat out wrong. There is a book called, The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz. If you haven’t read it yet, it will open your mind and change your life.

What are you looking forward to most in 2010?

It’s mid March right now and Humanist is weeks from being released. The CD release party will be at the Joint at 10pm on April 15th. I’m looking forward to doing more touring. I went to Germany as part of the Tryxo Indie Invasion Tour last June. I’d love to go back again soon. Yet, the thing I’m looking forward to MOST of all, is becoming a full-time musician. I believe this transition will occur this year because that’s what I’m working towards and that’s what I’m determined to do.

I encourage you to listen to his music on MySpace and become a fan on Facebook. Oh, and Derek was kind enough to answer these questions and more in a video on YouTube. Go check it out.

–Sheena