Interview: Jordan Hope

By Haley Van Cura, OOTB Guest Contributor

Jordan Hope is a rising musician in the Columbus’ music scene—a spectacular songwriter and performer, she takes influences from 70’s funk, bluegrass, and even aughties country, transporting you with a timeless voice.

Her upcoming debut album release, Jordan Hope, is sure to be a stunner.

I first met Jordan at a Music Columbus’ event, where a panel of music professionals picked apart songs submitted anonymously. There were good songs, bad songs too, but the song that had vocals that blew me away happened to be Jordan’s.

Statement earrings, a Remi Wolf style vibe, and an unwavering truth to herself define the up-and-coming singer.

I met her in an east campus coffee shop recently to connect and discuss her upcoming music and recent endeavors.

What first led you to music?

Growing up, a childhood friend introduced my sister and I to musical theater. I loved singing, but I was shy about it at first.

I continued musical theater through high school, where I grew to love it even more. Eventually, I auditioned for The Ohio State University School of Music program and got in, where I studied classical voice and animal science.

How did your time at Ohio State help you develop your personal music style?

The Ohio State Voice program helped me develop my classical voice and stage presence more than anything else; I learned how to use my voice in every single way, through ranges and styles.

Classes on arranging and music theory helped me with songwriting.

I joined competitive acapella, which elevated my voice and performance.

An OSU jazz professor of mine, Shawn Wallace, created a group called The Ohio Show Band. It

had many students from the School of Music with diverse talents.

This ensemble gave me opportunities to learn and perform that I would have not otherwise had. I got to play gigs at Natalie’s and notable venues around town, really becoming comfortable on stage.

Laura Brooks, my vocal professor, greatly helped me develop vocally and artistically at OSU.

She encouraged me to sing styles of music that I loved, and exposed me to a lot of art song andnon-traditional melodies.

While other professors were more specific about song choice, Laura was always an advocate for singing music that you love. I lucked out!

How have you developed on your journey through music?

I started my cover band project called Buckeye Funk last summer, pulling singers from different places, including acapella and show band and instrumentalists, mainly from OSU jazz.

All of us wanted to work at being gigging musicians and shared a similar taste in music.

We play cover songs from the 1970s and ‘80s, mostly dance forward and high-energy tunes that are total crowd pleasers.

Buckeye Funk first played live through a series of music performances called Gateway Groove that I organized to highlight local bands and small businesses around campus.

I am grateful for the gained following of students and the Columbus’ community.

Buckeye Funk has been able to play at Eupouria, Rambling House, the Summit Music Hall, and have even been able to play out-of-town at West Side Bowl in Youngstown.

We’re looking to expand into more parts of Ohio and begin performing this summer in festivals.

What have you been up to recently?

I recorded my first solo single, “Someone Else,” with Oranjudio in town. [The demo I played at the Natalie’s Grandview session that you first heard.]

I wanted to set a deadline before graduation; I think that deadlines are important to finish something, so you’re not obsessing over perfection, otherwise, it won’t get done.

My second single, “Forevermore,” followed, and both singles gave me the motivation of accomplishment to move forward.

SlimeTimeRich and I met at the Music Columbus event at Natalie’s, and we admired each other’s style of music and wanted to collaborate.

We made a two-song package for a Valentine’s Day

drop and released a social media promo the week before, featuring public art.

I compiled a list of murals in Columbus and ran around the city taking pictures in front of them after the big snow storm this year. It was not only fun, but it was a great way to promote the album and show love for our city.

What does the next step look like for you?

Back in November, I started working with a recording company up in Boston, called Plaid Dog Recording.

I have been working with them to run a crowdfunding campaign to cover the cost of my debut album, and we are about half way through that campaign right now.

At the end of the campaign, I will go back to Plaid Dog to record the rest.

I already recorded my first single off the album called “Heavy” with them, which [was] released for streaming on Tuesday, March 10th.

I’ll be in Pittsburgh next week for The Blossom Sessions; they are almost like Tiny Desk, but they also take a video interview with the artist as well as record a performance. I will be playing a stripped down version of “Someone Else” that will be recorded for release.

My goal for this year is to build a presence as an original singer-songwriter.

I am known as a singer at Mastro’s, and Buckeye Funk has gained a lot of following for cover songs, but I want my own writing to get its own recognition.

What have you been listening to recently?

I don’t know. Honestly, I just have been working a lot on my own stuff and listening to stuff for my projects.

I have been listening to Bluegrass since the weather started getting nicer!

Kenny and Amanda Smith are a really talented duo that was recommended to me by my boyfriend, who saw them at a festival.

Heatwave and Average White Band are classic 70’s funk influences that I like.

This next one is different, she is a hardcore artist named Amira Elfehy.

Hardcore is not something I’d normally listen to, but her voice makes songs stunning.

I have also been listening to a lot of Bonnie Raitt and Sade.

Did you grow up in a musical household?

Not musicians, but a family of music “appreciators.”

My parents were both into different kinds of music, and living in a split household introduced me to two different worlds.

My dad listens to Steely Dan and the Eagles: a lot of classic 70’s and 80’s rock.

While at my mom’s, we would listen to Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, etc.: more country and pop of that time.

On top of that, I listened to Top 40 hits during my school years—classic rock, early 2000s country, and pop were my foundation.

My sister, who did musical theater with me, is a talented singer, and my brother played multiple instruments in high school band, but neither continued.

My dad is a military vet who works in finance and my mom is a skin cancer surgeon, so I am the first in my family pursuing music as a profession.

My mom has said ‘I don’t know how to help you,’ when it comes to getting a job in music. She had a clear path for the medical field, but music does not offer as much job stability or clarity.

I have no family connections or an existing network in the industry, so I am trying to figure it out on my own.

Luckily, my family has done nothing but love, support, and encourage me along the way, which is more than enough to help me.

Do you plan to move to get into a more robust music scene?

Not now. I am able to travel to Boston or wherever else to record or perform.

Things are going well here; it’s a nice, supportive community. I want to give back to the place that has given me so much, where I have grown as a person and gotten a start musically.

I have a following for my music here. In Columbus, I see the potential to grow as a person and musician, which I want to do before relocating.

Though, I’m originally from Pepper Pike in Cleveland, where I have my family and supporters, and I would love to do more things around my hometown with music.

What do your goals look like? Skill wise, what do you want to accomplish?

I want to finish my album and feel happy with it. I hope to find a clear musical and artistic identity through this process.

Right now, I am trying to play more original songs live.

I want to feel comfortable showcasing my music with my solo band.

I want to upkeep my piano and guitar skills. They are good tools to use to accompany myself, but with access to a band, I don’t practice them nearly enough. I always use them when writing songs, and I play piano almost every day, but I want to be a continuous student in music.

Also, I’d like to push myself to be more consistent in my songwriting and become a little more adventurous.

Recent and Upcoming Releases

“Someone Else”

“Forever More”

“Heavy”

Debut self-titled album: Jordan Hope

When It Hurts Best; Collaboration with SlimeTimeRich, including:

“FeVeR dReAm”

“Done With That.”

Upcoming Performances

https://jhopemusic.com

Connect With Jordan Hope