Please introduce yourself to us and let us know what you do?
My name is Ezra Jordan, and I’m a singer-songwriter from Toronto, Ontario.
2. Is music also what you do for a living?
Music is what I do for a living, yes. I’m currently transitioning out of my part-time job as a server to doing music full time, and things are certainly trending in that direction.
3. How do you like most people in the industry?
I find that I have positive interactions with most people in the industry. Just like any job, there are jerks or people that you don’t get along with, however, the people that I end up spending the most time with often have similar goals and musical taste as me, which creates an immediate foundation for good professional and/or social relationships. Some of the most fun times I’ve had doing music have been on tour with my bandmates.
4. What is your favorite streaming platform and why?
My favorite streaming platform is Spotify, mostly because I think they do a really great job curating music, as well as acting as a discovery tool that helps you find music you may not have otherwise heard.
5. Tell us about your first experience of doing a live show?
My first true live show was at The Piston in Toronto. They have an awesome weekly show called Indie night that showcases a lot of upcoming local talent. It was super exciting to play my originals in front of people for the first time. I had some experience performing in front of crowds in playing piano and singing in different ensembles at my piano teachers wonderful little music academy Discovery Through The Arts, but it was definitely a little more nerve-wracking playing my originals and being the center of attention. Luckily the crowd was super welcoming, and as soon as the first song was over it was all smooth sailing from there.
6. Do you believe a song should be based on the truth? A lot of singers sing about things they don’t do and don’t agree with because it’s just hot in the market. Is that okay with you?
No, I don’t think songs necessarily have to be based on the truth. Art is art, whether it’s based on real-life experience or something completely made up. Lord of the Rings is an unbelievable story and I’m pretty sure that never happened. However, I think that art can and should still come from a place of sincerity, even if it isn’t based on a real personal experience. I think that a lot of listeners can tell the difference between singing about something from the heart, versus singing about something because you think that it will make you popular. A lot of the most poignant and relatable songs come from drawing upon real feelings and experiences, even if those experiences aren’t what inspired the song to be written in the first place.
7. Your thoughts on mainstream music?
Just like every genre, there’s good pop music and bad pop music. I don’t like everything I hear on the radio, even the stuff I don’t particularly resonate with from a songwriting perspective usually has some kind of redeeming quality to it that makes it worthy of being there. Whether it’s fresh and unique production or really good engineering and mixing, there’s usually a reason that it qualifies as “mainstream”.
8. Do you agree with the females who say there are fewer chances for them in the industry than men? Why?
Yes, I absolutely agree that there is definitely a gap in opportunity between women and men in the music industry at every level. Both my mother and sister are career musicians, and they deal with sexism all the time. Whether it’s a condescending music store employee that thinks he knows what guitar strings my sister needs more than she does or an old male record executive that is more concerned with female artists capitalizing on their sexuality over their talent or artistic vision, it’s all-encompassing.
There is an especially massive underrepresentation of females when you look at the jobs in the industry besides an “artist”. Certain positions, such as artist managers, live sound techs, and many high-level record company positions are largely held by men, which creates a ripple effect of unequal gender-based treatment.
9. Anything special you’d like to mention.
I’m going on tour all across Ontario in March, and I’ll be playing a show in NYC in June! Thanks so much for having me for this interview!