Image credit: Emily Schultz
Releasing his second EP Only Pieces of the Truth via Believe last month, Jordan Hart has worn his heart on his sleeve with this latest offering. The album explores human connection and reaching out for better horizons for yourself. A generous heart, the musician spent 100 days busking around Toronto in aid of a local charity L’Arche Canada. Only Pieces of the Truth carries a whirlwind of emotions through the mellow pop haze that crosses between R&B and pop smoothly.
We spoke with the generous heart – Jordan Hart below.
Please describe your sound for us.
I’m still working on defining it, but I usually describe it as experimental roots influenced by modern soul.
How did it all start for you?
I come from an incredibly musical family and in a way, music was a part of my life right from the beginning. I still have vivid memories of my mom singing in 5-part harmony with her brothers, sisters, and father around campfires when I was very young. Music was a big part of my life until I started royal conservatory piano lessons, which honestly turned me away from it for a while, haha.
After a bit of time away from the rigidness of the lessons, I started to fall in love with playing songs by ear again and making things up on the guitar and piano. This led to me eventually write my first songs. I loved the process and the outlet so much that I never stopped and haven’t looked back since.
Which three artists would you say made you want to create your own music?
Hmm, good question. Through the course of my whole life, I’d have to go with John Mayer, Bon Iver, and my uncle Chris Hartman who was a founding member of the band Emerson Drive. I really looked up to him growing up and remember going to see them play in bars long before I was old enough!
What is your go-to gear/equipment when creating?
I have a home studio set up centered around Logic along with some incredible instruments and plugins that I’ve acquired over the years. I use my Korg keyboard, Gretsch electric, and Lowden acoustic daily :). The most recent addition that I’m most excited about is my SM 7B microphone for early ideas and acoustic videos. Don’t know how I went so long without it!
What are some of your key influences in your music? Whether it be the sound created by others, imagery, films or any kind of art form.
I’d say that my music is primarily influenced by my relationships with people I care about and my relationship with myself.
I love so many different styles of music such as the epic sounds of film scores, the rhythmic elements of hip-hop, and the intimate nature of roots music. And I am inspired to explore as many styles as I can in my life. I am hoping people will still be able to feel my identity as an artist in every style that I create through the intimacy and openness in my performance of each style.
What is one sub-genre you think doesn’t get the attention it deserves?
Film scores! I know that they are given plenty of attention but I personally love having conversations about the score of a movie after watching it. And I’ve also noticed that people rarely pay enough attention to it to remember the moments. It’s such an incredible and generous art form!
Any new or upcoming artists on your radar?
Leif Vollebekk! He isn’t necessarily new and is already receiving notoriety in Canada but I believe he should be internationally renowned! I may be a little biased but I am also genuinely obsessed with Emily Schultz’s unreleased music. I can’t wait until the world can hear it!
What single night out has been the most memorable for you? As a performer? As an attendee?
Of my life as a performer, I’d have to go with my most recent concert: selling out the Great Hall in Toronto. It is one of my favourite venues in Canada and it felt amazing to have all of the fans and friends that I made through the 100 Day Busking challenge come out to support me! I was over the moon to hear so many of them singing along with my unreleased songs.
As an attendee, I’d have to go with my first concert experience ever. My mom and dad took me to see Stomp when I was still young enough to sit on their lap instead of needing to have my own ticket. I was so enthralled with the music and performance! I know it was one of the influential moments of my life that resulted in me being a musician today.
Famous last words?
I can accomplish anything I set my mind to.
Follow Jordan Hart:
