Singer/songwriter Jordy Maxwell emerged into the Perth music scene in January 2017, at the age of 27 when he began his songwriting. Since then, he has proven how important music is for a person to express their stories and their emotions through his deeply felt, honest and soulful lyrics.
Jordy has released his first debut single ‘Blue Eyes’ in October 2017, which has now reached a very large audience all around the world. His debut EP ‘Honest’ was released a few short months after that. This October Jordy will be showcasing his second EP ‘Hello, Goodbye’ across Australia, doing a headline tour across 5 major cities in Australia. Jordy’s second EP promises to be as personal, vulnerable and heartfelt as always.
Looking back, what were some of your earliest entries into music appreciation? And music production?
I learned to play guitar to impress my Mum when she got home from work. I’d learn old songs and sing to them. When she got home, I’d get too shy to sing in front of her and just try and make her guess the song with no words. I never took music very far when I got older (Early 20’s), I guess life just got in the way.
Take us through your songwriting process. Are there any particular steps you take when putting music together?
Songwriting for me is not an easy process, I usually like to keep my emotions close to my heart, so opening up with writing things down almost scares me in a way. I write what comes to my mind straight away without thinking too deeply into it. I find that what I write in that state of mind is quite honest and real. I think it helps to create an open and vulnerable feel to my music.
What gets your creative juices flowing?
A girl with blue eyes, early mornings, sadness and the pressure of recording.
As a musician, it becomes apparent that there is a huge difference between the art and the business. Is there anything about the music scene that you would personally change?
I personally don’t like the “competition” with music. I feel like there’s always going to be someone “better” than you and we always compare ourselves to other musicians and compare our songs to other songs. I’m not sure how I can personally change that except just to keep doing you’re own thing and not getting sucked into the music clique. You should be able to like any type of music and if you don’t like some music just to accept it for what it is. I’m not saying I do this all the time, but it’s very much something I’m learning to do more and more.
Studio work and music creation or performing and interacting with a live audience, which do you prefer?
Performing for me is the greatest thing I can do. There’s nothing better for me to share stories and songs with an audience. Interacting with an audience is so special and having the opportunity to make people smile, cry, sing along etc is no doubt the most amazing feeling and I feel so lucky to be able to share that with people.
What is the most memorable response you have had to your music?
People sharing their stories of really hard times with my music helping them through those times is something I’ll always find memorable. People openly crying to a song of mine is also so incredibly humbling, it’s so nice for people to be so open with their emotions. Especially as for so long I’ve kept my emotions so close to me.
Although, one moment in particular really hit me hard.
I got a message from a person in the United States, that he put his mother to rest and he played my song “Mountains” to celebrate her life. Using a song to reflect on someone’s life really hit home.
What’s on your current playlist?
Leif Vollebekk, Caamp, Dope Lemon, Arum Rae, Paper Kites
Breakdown the news for us: what can we expect from you in the near future?
I’ve just released my second EP, ‘Hello, Goodbye’ last week (Sep 20th) and I’m on my way to tour Australia and New Zealand! I’ll be recording more songs in December, with a bit more of a slow jam feel to the next songs. There even might be some acoustic and remixes coming soon!
Famous last words?
Be kind to yourself, please
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