JORDAN SIWEK Discusses His Debut Album ‘Sun Inside You’ and More!

The NYC native Jordan Siwek has dazzled audiences with the premiere of his music video for his hit single, “Lover and a Giver.”

The video premiered exclusively on CelebMix who declares, “He might be an emerging singer-songwriter but a glimpse into his work will be enough to show his caliber.”

The track draws inspiration from artists such as John Lennon, Cat Stevens, Joni Mitchell, and Marvin Gaye. Lyrically, the single is a response to what’s going on in the world with a strong message to focus on the beautiful things, on spreading love and hope, and to unite us in a time of division, which the music video exemplifies.

The single comes from his debut album, Sun Inside You, a project that took 6 years to manifest. Jordan is a triumphant performer overcoming his insecurity and stutter. Music has been the gateway for self expression that Jordan needed to grow. The album is lined with themes of love and hope because he understands that this is what the world needed – it’s what he needed in his dark times.

The illuminating songwriting has been compared to the greats, with Audio Fuzz declaring: “This is one of the best singer/songwriters since Cat Stevens. Listen and learn.” Jordan has remarked in the past how artists such as John Lennon, Joni Mitchell, and more have shaped his artistry.

Connect With Jordan Siwek Here:

jordansiwekmusic.com

Learn more about Jordan Siwek in the following All Access interview:

Thanks for your time today! Where does this interview find you?

Doing well, thanks! I’m working on some new songs for my next release!

Now that 2019 has started, what musical goals do you have for yourself and your music this new year? Did you make any new year’s resolutions?

Some of my musical goals are to get my music featured on a film or TV show and for my music video to get featured in a festival!

Growing up, how important has music been in your life? Can you recall the moment when you decided that you wanted to be a musician? Was it an easy or difficult choice to make? Was there ever a time when you thought about doing something else? If you weren’t a musician today, what could you see yourself doing?

Music has always been extremely important in my life. Before I was a musician, I was a child actor. I always loved performing but at a certain point I lost interest in acting. I would play piano for hours every day because I loved it. It was when I went to college that I started to take music seriously and realized that it was my purpose in life to write songs, sing, and play piano. It was actually one of my psychology classes in college called Psych of Motivation that inspired me to believe in myself and work towards the goal of being a musician and songwriter. I don’t know what I would do if I wasn’t a musician. I’d probably be a therapist or teacher. I’m currently a piano teacher and that brings a lot of meaning to my life as well.

What has been the biggest surprise so far about making music your career? What has been an unexpected or welcome challenge to it all?

An unexpected challenge in songwriting has been constantly striving to be a better singer and songwriter, and trying to make my music and lyrics original while still being catchy and relatable.

How do you think you and your music have been influenced by your hometown and where you live now?

Growing up in NYC and being exposed to all genres of music growing up definitely influenced me to pursue music seriously. As a kid, I was in Les Miserables on Broadway and that experienced strengthened my love for music and desire to live a musical life.

Let’s talk about your newest single called “Lover and a Giver.” What was the inspiration for this song? How would you say that it is different or similar to anything else that you have previously released?

“Lover and a Giver” is a response to what’s going on in the world right now. I feel like a lot of people are starting to lose hope, and there’s a lot of tensions and divisions in America at the present moment. I wrote this song to be an anthem of love, hope, and unity; much like the great songs of the ‘60’s and ‘70’s. It’s also a reminder to appreciate the beautiful things in life, like nature and watching a river flow, and to realize that we are all connected, and ultimately just want to find something authentic, true, and meaningful. The goal for this song is to turn darkness into light, and to offer a kind of cathartic therapy for those of us who are becoming increasingly frustrated and disillusioned with what’s on the news. I was very influenced by John Lennon on this song, and the messages of “Imagine” and “All You Need Is Love”. I want to bring back that kind of powerful songwriting. “Lover and a Giver” is a response to the hateful and divisive rhetoric present in America and I wanted to write a song that’s not quite a political protest song, but that reminds people that love is more powerful than hate, and that unity is stronger than division.

What was it like making the music video for “Lover and a Giver”? How creatively involved with the process were you?

It was so much fun making my first real music video! My amazing director Sebastian Rivera created the storyboard and planned all the shots. He came up with the idea for the two main characters who represented different ways to experience life and had them come together at the end and find love and hope. I had the idea to play the colorful piano in Brooklyn Bridge Park provided by Sing For Hope, and amazing organization that put 50 beautifully painted pianos at various locations in NYC last June. I thought it was a wonderful opportunity and didn’t want to pass it up. It was fortunate that there was a piano by the river in a song which uses the lyric “I just want to hear the wind and the trees and the river/ Want to be free to be a lover and a giver”.

How does “Lover and a Giver” compare to the rest of the songs on your debut album, “Sun Inside You”? What was it like putting this collection together? Why did it take 6 years to make?

It took me so long to create the album because I was such a perfectionist about my music and wanted to make sure that everything was exactly right before releasing the songs to the world. Also, over the course of the recording process, I started to write better songs that my producer and I wanted to add to the album and I also started to become a better singer, so I ended up re-singing most of the songs on the album, which improved the quality of the whole project.

What has it been like keeping up with your social media accounts and all of the different platforms? Is it hard to stay up to date on it all? What would you say is your favorite way to connect with your fans now?

I enjoy social media, particularly Facebook and Instagram, and I appreciate how it helps to connect people. It’s been amazing to be able to share my music with my friends, family, acquaintances, and fans through social media. However, sometimes I get so into social media that I don’t spend enough time writing and staying in the moment, so it’s important to find a balance. Also, stay tuned for my next single which will be a song about people’s obsession to be liked on social media. It’s part satire, part truth and I think it will be very relatable for the current moment.

Who are some of your favorite artists or rather, what musicians have continued to inspire you and your music? Who would you absolutely still love to work with in the future?

Some artists who have inspired me are Stevie Wonder, Ben Folds, John Legend, Elton John, Billy Joel, The Beatles, Eminem, Marvin Gaye, Cat Stevens, and Bob Dylan.

Where can fans see you perform next? Do you have any kind of a 2019 tour scheduled yet?

Still working on my 2019 tour, but dates will be posted soon on my official website!

If you had an unlimited budget and your schedule was free, what would your dream music video look like?

I would love to shoot a fun video for my song “Island With No Name” and film on a tropical island for a long time. It would be a fun vacation!

If you were going to be stranded on a deserted island, what musical item would you take with you and why?

It would have to be a piano! Couldn’t survive without one!

If your music was going to be featured on any TV show that is currently on right now, which would you love it to be on? Or if you prefer, what is a movie that you love that you wish your music was featured in?

Either the new season of “Twin Peaks” or “The Good Place”. I love both of those shows!

At the end of the day, what do you hope people take away from your music?

To be positive and never give up hope, no matter what. And to realize that you can achieve anything with the right intention and attitude behind it.

Would you like to share anything else with our readers about your music?

Yes! Each of the eleven songs on my album represent a different moment and mood in my life and also represents a different side of me, musically and emotionally. I’d love for you to listen to the whole album and I’d love to know what your favorite tracks are. Sun Inside You is available everywhere you can buy and stream music here: https://Jordan-Siwek-Music.lnk.to/woSA5EM

Find me on Facebook at facebook.com/jordansiwekmusic and on Instagram as @pianojordan. I appreciate each and every person who listens to my music and I’d love to hear your thoughts.