NeoL

――What did you think about Fuji Rock?


Jordan：Fuji Rock was amazing! It was already such a treat to get to spend some time exploring Japan and on top of that the crowd was incredible! They were so energetic and excited.

―― The album ” Valentine,” which was made last year after you went through some tough times and challenges, was widely acclaimed and generated a great deal of sympathy. I would imagine that it was an album that also meant “Healing and Rebirth” to you.
We had the opportunity to interview you just before you released the album last year. When I asked what you considered important while making the album, you said, “I want to create a place for the various emotions I am going through, and understand them (myself) better.” Can you tell us if there were any new realizations that you had through making this album or anything that changed within yourself through making this album?

Jordan：Putting feelings into words always creates a sense of clarity for me, similar to journaling. From “Lush” to this record, I have grown a lot as a musician, a lyricist, a person in general, and as a music fan, which made the process of making ‘Valentine’ entirely different.





――Are there any songs from the album that make you feel differently now, compared to the time when you were writing the songs, or any songs that give you new or different feelings singing them now, as opposed to when you wrote them?


Jordan：Definitely! My emotions were heightened during the writing process because most of the events I was writing about had just happened. I’m already an entirely different person than I was in 2019/2020! I still resonate with how I was feeling before, but it feels like many moons ago at this point.

――On “Valentine,” you openly wrote about many of the things that you went through since the first album came out. We can understand the dynamics and the narrative of how you came to terms with your pain and sorrow, and by taking care of yourself, you were able to extend that care and tenderness towards other people. And I feel like that’s the part where the listeners can relate to the most about this album. What do you think, when looking back on it?


Jordan：Writing “Valentine” was cathartic for me at an intense time in my life, so I am glad that other people can relate to it in their healing or with whatever they’re going through. I like listening to personal music because I love the feeling of being able to relate to another person’s experience. It’s cool to be able to provide that for people.





―― When we interviewed you last time, you said that going into making “Valentine” felt scary, and it still stresses you when you look back to that time when you started writing this album. Can you tell us some of the things that supported you emotionally, any music or art that helped you and pushed you to write the album?


Jordan：Writing might always scare me because it feels like such a vulnerable extension of myself and putting it out there for people to criticize comes with a lot of pressure. I was able to push through by constantly reminding myself that I do this because I love music and that I am a capable artist and writer. Zooming out also helps me remember that I don’t give a fuck what people thing about my work.

――This is something about the future, but can you tell us what you would like to sing about in the future, or anything that you’d like to share with the listeners through your songs in the future, if any?


Jordan：I’m working on stuff slowly, but surely!

――Can you tell us your recent interests, or anything that you’re into or you’re obsessed about lately?


Jordan：I’ve been playing a lot of Stray on my ps4 and reading a lot of Dennis Cooper! Also loving Severance.





――Any music or musicians that you’re listening to a lot lately? Last year, you told us that you’re also listening to people like Prince, and genres like hip hop, R&B, and jazz.


Jordan： I’ve been listening to a lot of Water from your eyes and Momma lately. I’m always listening to Elliott Smith.


――”Valentine” was a big leap forward from the first album in terms of sound, including the use of synths, string arrangements, and production. Are there any new approaches or ideas in terms of sound that you’d like to try in the future?


Jordan： I’m always excited to expand musically! I already have some ideas that I want to try on the next record, but I’ll keep it all a surprise!


――This is the last question. What kind of advice would you give to your past self who was going through tough times?


Jordan： I would tell myself that everything turns out okay, but that it’s important to let yourself feel all of your pain because it is what makes you continue growing as a person.

photography Marisa Suda（https://www.instagram.com/marisatakesokphotos/）
text Junnosuke Amai（https://twitter.com/junnosukeamai）