Photos by Julia Fletcher, find more of her work here.
I am continuously impressed by the things that young people are able to accomplish. If I had had the wisdom at 20 years old that Gen Z seems to have at 17, I would probably be a bit more accomplished than I am today. Take Jordana Nye for example. At 20 years old, she has already released a full length album, Classical Notions of Happiness, and has now come out with a brand new EP Something To Say. The first word that comes to mind when you listen to Jordana’s music is beautiful, but it has undercurrents to it. It’s also sad, and proud, and maybe a little bit wistful. And it is wise. Especially her single “Forgetter” in which Jordana delves into her own past mistakes and then finds a way to do better. Whoa, admitting your own mistakes at 20 years old. When I was 20, I was still posting angsty lyrics to Facebook. Maybe I should have been listening to something that sounded more like Jordana.
You started out playing classical music (violin, piano), but you eventually moved more into the indie scene. Do your classical roots still inspire you?
Yeah! I would say they do still inspire me. When I was little, I pretty much wanted to get to know other strings instruments because learning violin was so exciting and so was every other stringed instrument! I still know Paganini’s 24th Caprice…
What made you decide to do an animation instead of a traditional live action with the music video for “Forgetter”? Can you talk about where that concept came from?
I think the concept of that video, to me, can be perceived in different ways; I’ve heard various assumed meanings to the story of the song itself!
Why do you think you work better as a solo artist opposed to as part of a group? Does it ever get tough handling so much on your own?
I had always had a problem with self-worth as an artist, so I was scared to make things with other people because I wouldn’t feel any pride unless I had done it all myself. So the changes since my debut are me slowly coming out of my shell, haha. I also have a band, but they play with the live shows! But I mostly just record on my own or with MELVV.
Your debut LP didn’t come out too long ago, did you feel pressure to keep up with the success you had with that one? Was it scary to try something different this time along?
I do feel lots of pressure to keep up with the full LP, yes, and it was scary since I started working with other people, but I’m not that scared anymore. I’ve got a lot of music just waiting for release, and I can still write a little when I’m in a bad writer’s block. I think there might always be more to write about, as long as you’re living.
“Big” is the definite stand out of this EP, what inspired that single?
Really!? Thank you!!! Hahaha ! Personally mine is “Hitman” ;D
But what inspired Big was experiencing those times of absolute confidence, feeling on top of the world, not caring when it ends because the serotonin has reached your brain!
“Forgetter” seems to embody personal growth that was achieved when looking back in retrospect. What was it like to write about that?
It was scary to write about that because it was very prevalent topic in that time of my life, I was just starting to go to therapy again because I was having some emotional issues, but life moves on and it brings better days and worse days, but luckily music is there to let the emotions and endorphins out.
What are you working on next?
I’ve got a second EP coming out with the first one…..!!!
Any favorite songs/artists you’re listening to right now?
Yushi, Alex G, “Fit N Full” – Samia, “Freelance” – Toro y Moi, Skullcrusher, Hovvdy
You can keep up with Jordana on Instagram, Twitter, and Spotify