Kyle Jordan: "Only One"
We had the pleasure of checking in with Nashville-based alt-pop/songwriter Kyle Jordan who was kind enough to respond to a few interview questions.
Welcome, Kyle! It’s great to have you here! Congrats on the new single. Tell us what "Only One" is about.
Thank you!! So stoked that I get to talk to y'all! I know it's a bit cheesy, but "Only One" is about my girlfriend. I remember sitting down to write it and just kinda getting overwhelmed. It's one of those songs that just kinda feels like a wave is washing over you. I sat down and I think the chords were the part that took the longest because I knew I wanted to write a ballad, but I wasn't sure the tone that I wanted to strike. I think I hit a sweet spot right in the middle where it feels like it's just as raw as the lyrics. The lyrics to the song just kind of came pouring out after that. I remember sitting at the piano at my family home back on Long Island and just thinking about all of the things that made me fall in love. I was thinking about the long car rides and the silly jokes and the music that she loves and learning every nook and cranny of her personality. I think it's one of those songs that's just instantly relatable while, at the same time, being fun enough to turn on repeat!
If you could collaborate with any artist this year, who would it be?
If I could collaborate with any artist this year I think it would be Conan Gray. I think the eclectic style of songwriting and pop-production is something incredibly special about his music. When you listen to his music there's something that feels new and exciting while at the same time feeling comfortable and familiar. His blending of the old school and the new, frenetic style of music that is dominating the airwaves today is so special. I also think that we would complement each other pretty well. Coming from a diverse background, musically, I think it would be interesting to see what kind of rhythmic or lyrical content I could bring to his already strong style.
Do you have plans for a full album release at some point?
I would definitely love to take on an album release as a project. Right now, I think the most important thing in music is to keep producing great content. The music scene is incredibly accessible now with services that will upload your song to any and all streaming services for a small fee. I think most of the hurdles from entering the music industry are a thing of the past. The most difficult part these days is standing out. I'm comfortable right now with releasing singles and then maybe combining some of my other side projects into an EP. One of the projects that I'm incredibly interested in right now is an "Acoustic" EP. My roots are as an acoustic singer/songwriter and I want to show that off in my Spotify catalogue somehow. I got the idea, after I released my debut EP, "Lost," on Spotify late last year, to re-release some of the songs on that EP as they were originally written. I think sometimes when you listen to music that has been produced and moulded into something more "pop-esque" it's easy to forget about the human element of songwriting. I'd love to introduce some of my songs that I've never really gotten around to producing as a pop track because they're just simply made to be acoustic guitar tracks. I think that's my next big venture in releasing music and then if any of that turns into a full album, then that's just the cherry on top.
What inspires your music?
I think I take most of my inspiration from my day-to-day experiences. As far as lyrics, I put a lot of myself into my music. I try to make sure that all of my lyrics are grounded in something I've felt or I've heard about. I think the most important feature of songwriting is that moment that you hear a song and you just get it. One of the things that I always talk about is having that lyric. I remember growing up and all of the instagram captions and bios were that lyric that stuck with people. I want each of my songs to have that moment that just hits you and you're like "wow, that's something I never really knew how to put into words." I think one of my favorite lyrics that I've ever written is "I'm sure that I'm more than just the qualities that I lack." I remember even just writing those words out I felt like a light had been shone on some part of myself that I never really saw before. I think that feeling is the feeling that will always inspire me to write and compose and create.
When you write new music - do you write the lyrics first? What is your process like?
I think it's usually a bit of a mix. Usually the first step is thinking of an interesting concept to write about. I can think back to most of my songs being written when I thought of a lyric that just fit like it always belonged. I remember being 15 and 16 and bolting out of bed at 2 A.M. because I had a song that I was ready to write and I had to strike while the iron was hot. Other times, it can be a kind of slow burn. One of the songs on "Lost," is called "Chemistry." I remember writing the chords to the song and then I figured out the basics of how I wanted the chorus to sound, but it wasn't until I had the right inspiration to write a love song that I could really flesh out the rest of the verses and the imagery of the production. I'm not an incredibly spiritual person, but I've always felt like something came over me when I was writing. I feel like the song is kind of like a feeling that gets caught inside you and you have to distill it and you have to manufacture it and you have to mold it into something that feels uniquely yours.
Where can people listen to your music and connect with you on social media?
The best way to get in touch with me on social media is through my Instagram and my Facebook page. You can find me on Instagram at @kylejordanmusic and on Facebook at Kyle Jordan. I love to talk to people about music, about their lives and really anything else. I always like to think of the people that follow me as some of my closest friends so I like to establish some kind of connection with everybody who's out there listening to my music or seeing the content that I produce. Other than that, the best way to listen to my new music and stay up-to-date is to follow me on Spotify and Apple music so that you can be the first to hear any new music that I release! Other than that, if you're looking to support any independent artist, the best thing is to share their content, stream their music and, if you're so inclined, to rep their brand by buying their merchandise. My merchandise is also on sale right now at kylejordanmakesmusic.com/merch. If you love what we do, we always love to hear from you!
Have a listen and connect with Lyle Jordan on social media:
https://www.facebook.com/kylejordanofficial/
