Music Q&A: Jordan Rooker

What informs your music and songwriting?
I just write when the mood takes me and see what happens without thinking about it too much, if I’m completely honest. That’s where you get the best out of yourself, isn’t it? Delving into the unknown – much more exciting. Although sometimes I’ll read back through some lyrics I’ve written and think “Oh, that could be about that thing that happened”, which I find interesting from time to time. You become a product of your environment so I suppose everything influences my music.

How have you evolved as an artist over the years?
It started off with just me writing, recording all the instruments and playing the odd gig in Sheffield. Over the last year it’s grown to having a full backing band, a UK tour and a fan base that seems to be getting bigger by the day. A friend told me the other day that some people they knew in London were listening to my stuff. That was nice to hear as I haven’t really been doing anything down south yet. The live stuff is much bigger now in comparison to when I first started. I used to play on my own from the start but now I play songs with my band, who are absolutely great. I enjoy playing with other people in comparison to on my own, working on the parts collaboratively. You can get into it a bit more when you bounce off others. The production quality of the live shows is better than it’s ever been now. I’m really happy with what I’ve got and looking forward to the path that lies ahead.

What are you up to at the moment artistically?
I recently bought a Nord A1 for super cheap that is perfect for some new songs I’m doing. I used it on my latest release The Sound of Sirens. At the moment I’m teaching myself how to use it better. I’m always writing so probably that as well.

What’s on your rider?
Alcohol.

Tell us your most embarrassing or surreal experience.
I don’t get embarrassed that easily, to be honest, I played a festival in May to around 2,000 people – that was pretty good.

What song do you wish you’d written?
There are absolutely no songs I wish I’d written. I like my own songs. But if I had to choose one it would be Sweet Talkin’ Woman by Electric Light Orchestra or Life on Mars by David Bowie. They’re two from the favourite basket.

What’s your worst lyric?
Come to one of my shows and you can tell me.