Rochelle Jordan

Oh man, I’m feeling excited, nervous and thankful! I’ve been holding on to this music for some time now, so I've also been anticipating releasing this just as much as my day one listeners have. The timing feels right, I’m just ready to release this to the universe.

My early memories, I would say were the weekends at home as a child. My mom and dad would play gospel to classic lover’s rock anthems throughout the house while cooking a big breakfast, all into the evening whilst cleaning the house. Upstairs was always a completely different vibe, as my big brother would be blasting house, drum & bass and R&B records from his bedroom. It was constant music that my little ears were swimming in.

I would say around 13 I began writing little poems while trying to figure out what the song writing formula actually was. I wrote my first real song at the age of 16. It was called Connected the dots. I’ll never forget it. I actually wrote it to the instrumental of Fabolous’s Breathe record that had just came out. Cassette tapes were being replaced by CD’s at the time, but I still had my double cassette player were I was able to record myself onto a cassette while simultaneously playing the instrumental - or something like that (laughs)! But yes, there was a lot of experimenting going on with music in general around that age.

Well interestingly enough, for this sound of music I’ve been making over the past 6 years, it’s really rooted from my adolescent years. I made it a point not to overly submerge myself in the current sound of what music is, but to try to reach into the memory bank of everything I've ever loved and heard growing up. Of course, naturally I'd also be influenced by current changes in music as I would tap in and out. Also, trying to forecast where I could have a hand in pushing R&B and dance to the future, but when I listen to my music I’m happy to say that I can really hear the elements of my past whether it’s in the soundscapes my producers used, or harmony melody choices.

I hope they hear that I’m sincerely an artist first and will always be. With that, I’m forever morphing. I’m forever searching for new sides of myself and Play With The Changes is my reflection of that. I have a fan base that is used to hearing me on classic R&B anthems and so they haven’t really tapped into the other sides of me that have always been very experimental. So, showcasing that this time around, I know that it may be a bit jarring for them, but that’s okay and it’s actually a good thing. I want the listeners to feel good and open to these changes, not only in my music... but in life generally speaking. A lot of the time we’re so afraid of change because we don’t know what's on the other side of it. So easily do we paralyse ourselves instead of being brave enough to open our minds and go forth into new territories. It’s sad because that’s where you learn the most about yourself, you know. So, I hope they take away joy, movement, playfulness and change as a good thing as they listen to this record.

I love and hate this question! It’s like saying, I have a favourite child out loud in front of all the other kids (laughs). If I have to choose today, I’d say Brokensteel. Everyday that answer changes though.

Yes, self-affirmations are definitely a recent discovery for me in which I'm still trying to master. It’s not easy going up against years of the inner saboteur. It’s a battle I’m oh too familiar with as I've battled with clinical depression and anxiety since the age of 16. It was about 5 years ago that my circle became infused with artists and creative individuals who spoke to me often about the importance of getting into affirmations and a bunch of other interesting concepts. I felt the internal changes in my mindset as I practiced it, so it was only right that I put it in a song for others to have.

For me, spirituality translating into my music isn’t so literal. I believe that the acknowledgement I now have towards my gift of music has changed in a beautiful way. I know wholeheartedly now that I am just a vessel. There is a line of connection to the celestial world that is sending messages for me to share within music. I know it’s my responsibility to keep that connection as clear as possible and that’s where practice comes in, but it’s not 'just' on me and I feel that. It really explains why I’ll write a song while recording it, listen back after and it’s almost like I didn’t know I was writing the words I was writing. I’ve been writing for years and I’m still shocked sometimes at how it comes together because It’s never planned. It’s hard to explain, but yes I’m aware that I’m just a messenger in the art of music. How it translates to my music, is that as I’m learning to let go of this false pressure that it’s just me, alone in this.

Some songs come out right away once written, some don’t. I would often feel completely broken when my song’s would be held hostage due to this or that. However, I’m realising day by day that timing is everything. It’s funny that Got Em has just came out after almost 5 years of me listening to it over and over again, yet it feels so right to be out in 2021. It even sounds different to me now that it’s out. It’s such a weird and beautiful thing.

Let’s add Jamaica in this mix (laughs). I just feel that being immersed in all of these diverse cultures explains why I'm able to adapt to different soundscapes so effortlessly. I’ve heard them all, I’ve loved them all and I've truly lived them all.

Honestly, I would like to say Pharrell, Disclosure, Kaytranada, Tame Impala, Hoody and The Weeknd, there are so many more that I love too. But I’ll tell you this, If I could only work with producer-artists KLSH, Machinedrum and Jimmy Edgar for the rest of my life, I promise you I’d be perfectly fine.

I’m about to step into these virtual performances now as my music is finally moving around, so we will see! I’m sure it’ll be just as fun and interesting but in a new way. Human interaction is priceless and creates a beautiful dynamic to performances for both the fans and the artist, but we just have to make it work until we have that option again.

I’m looking forward to not wearing these 3 sets of sweatpants I've been wearing throughout the pandemic. I’m also looking forward to breathing oxygen in full again and hopefully being able to perform at some massive music festivals, seeing swarms of people blissfully living their lives in the music.

I’m not really big on speaking to specifics on future plans before they come to fruition, but I'll say this. My plans are to keep making fire music, big money and living my best life.