In our contemporary culture, we have been trained to associate musicians with their region and if they are from where are from where we are from we boast this fact in all conversations relating to those artists. For, example number one, Toronto, Canada. Word association would connect us with Drake, or down the line Melanie Fiona, however, there’s a girl named, Rochelle Jordan with a big fro and an equally big voice that we can’t forget about Initially, starting her singing career on YouTube, Jordan has thus grown to create music that is going to get her added to the list of greats, shown on her album “Alien Phase” out today (links at bottom). Rochelle allowed Rawe to speak with her about her project that’s out today, music in Toronto and why she’s an alien.
Bella: Who is Rochelle Jordan? How long have you been doing music and growing up who were your influences?
Rochelle Jordan: I come from a really mixed background, culturally and musically, so my influences come from Old School Reggae, Old School R&B, Latin and Pop. Getting into specifics, when I was able to listen to music by my individual ear, I really linked onto artists such as: Boyz II Men, Aaliyah, Faith Evans, Inoj and Dru Hill. Most artists that were in the mid 90’s era to late 90’s era, influenced me the most. That’s where I felt music was the realest, especially R&B.
Bella: Being from Canada, for those who are unaware, what’s the music scene like out there and how do you feel you fit into the culture musically?
Rochelle Jordan: Canada is an amazing place..and YES we do have a great support system down here, but for some reason, it’s just not strong enough urban wise. So, fitting in music wise, I’m not sure I do just yet. It’s only recently where it has opened up alot due to the break through of Drake and Melanie Fiona–it’s time for Canada to show our urban culture. I strongly believe we have some of the most talented musicians and artists in our era, it’s our time to shine now. T’dot.
Bella: As far as your album, it appears to be like (anything)? that’s out now as far as the songs and etc, what was the writing process like for this album?
Rochelle Jordan: The writing process for me was just thinking outside of the box. What haven’t I heard before? What Do I want to Express? What are my Limits? I find myself using alot of metaphors. When I write a song, I like to think of things that have no relevance to what I’m talking about, but have the ability to be the very example of everything I’m trying to say within the song. That’s just my niche and it just comes naturally for my type of sound and it just works. For this EP, I just wanted to make it pretty simple but interesting.
Bella: The album is very eclectic and different from a lot of singers out today because it has substance with songs like “Determination” that tell a story. How important was it for you as a songwriter to accompany all aspects of life in your music?
Rochelle Jordan: It’s very important. I Just want to be real when it comes to my music. “Determination” might be the only aggressively down to earth song on this EP because I wanted it to be really fun and outgoing. But when I heard the beat for “Determination” the story came to me naturally. It’s really important to me that people know that I’m a person who pushed through a lot of battles in my life: sickness, depression, I’ve been there. There are a lot of people who are facing things in their everyday life and if I can lift someone up through being 100% true in my music, I will do that. The fun stuff is so I can just bring a smile to someone’s face.
Bella: Why “Alien Phase”, what is the meaning behind the title?
Rochelle Jordan: There are two reasons behind the title for me. My dad once told me that I’m an alien, as funny as that sounds, it made sees. He said that we don’t belong to this world, we are only here for a short time. Our spirits already existed before we landed on this random rock through birth and then, eventually we pass away to go back home. I don’t belong here. We don’t belong here. We are the aliens. Speaking on behalf of Klash and I, it’s become what we’ve created isn’t anything that I’m hearing in the music industry right now. Everything sounds the same in its own genre. I wanted to combine everything I’ve ever loved and make it into something that is different, unique and unlike anything that’s out there while remaining real and not stupid or pointless. It’s isolated in its own feel and it’s feels like it’s not the same, it’s not from this world of music and yes it’s real. This sound is “Alien Phase.”
Bella: So if you had to sum up with the EP is about as a whole, what would you say?
Rochelle Jordan: This EP is about having fun, for me. I wanted people to see the fun side of me right away. For me, it’s a feel good EP. I always wanted people to link on to the creativity that dwells within this short album and learn to love our style.
Bella: Musically, since you are a songwriter, what other artists do you look at as inspirations or role models of sorts?
Rochelle Jordan: Musically, I must say the whole 90’s era. As of right now, to be specific I’d have to say Kelis, Amerie, Samantha James, J*DaVeY, Inoj, Drake, Lupe Fiasco, or Paramore. I could continue, but the ones I named have really helped to build me as an artist. I feed off of their individuality and uncommonness and sometimes I hear them in me, which is a beautiful thing.
Bella: What comments would you make to those individuals who feel Canada lacked a music scene before Drake and Melanie Fiona?
Rochelle Jordan: That urban wise, they were probably right. The rock scene is incredible, but Drake and Mel F really hit the mark we needed.
Bella: Your known for having big pretty hair to accompany your big pretty voice, how do you think your personal style plays into your music?
Rochelle Jordan: It’s bittersweet because they see the big hair and I’m 5’10, so usually people automatically think I do something in the entertainment industry. It’s great that people like my style but at the same time, I don’t want to be another Barbie artist. I want people to like my music. I want my music to be the first thing people think about me and everything else comes after. Then again, this is the entertainment industry.
Bella: How’d you hook up with your producer Klash and your label?
Rochelle Jordan: About a year ago I had started putting videos up on You Tube for fun and people watched. I didn’t really promote myself, but I was fairly consistent. I got a message from a person asking me to check out his MySpace page. I had gotten that alot so I sort of ignored him for a while, but he was pretty persistent with me. Eventually, I just went to his MySpace page and I was blown away by his talent and the fact that his sound is what I’ve always loved but was never able to find. So Klash sent me a sample of a song just to get a sample of how I write. I wrote to the song and sent it to him, this song was called “Unreal.” He heard it, and the chemistry was so amazing that I decided to be his main artist–we’ve been working hard ever since.
Bella: What’s one thing you want people to take away from your music?
Rochelle Jordan: I want people to be surprised at the sound of my music and just enjoy it. As different as my music is, it also has a familiar feel from the congestion in my heart of all artists I’ve ever loved. I want to be able to break other artists out of the habit of being like everybody else too, doesn’t be afraid to be you! This is my sound and it’s an expression of me that I want to share with the world, even if they hate it. I’d be more satisfied knowing that I didn’t sell myself out trying to be someone I’m not. I guess everybody can take from that.
