Photo Credit: Lokii Reis Da Silva
Originally born and raised in New York City, Jordan Michelle is a pop-rock princess pushing the boundaries and overcoming obstacles like a true rockstar. Now based in Los Angeles, Michelle is breaking through the pop-rock scene, and we had the chance to chat with her about her transition from modeling to a career in the music industry. We also chatted about her most recent single “It’s my Birthday (RIP to me)” with SK8 and Tosh the Drummer, its music video that premiered on September 13 and what her plans are for the future.
“I’ve been through a lot in my life, so I think the reason that I’m able to tell a story is [that] I’ve had to get through so many things, and that’s kind of my mission. I was strong enough to get through these things. I have this ability to turn my pain into art that can resonate with people, [and] that’s what I want,” Michelle said. “Why would I have gone through all these things and [experienced] so much adversity, if I can’t help make it a little bit clearer for other people who are going through the same?”
Although music was not always at the forefront of Michelle’s plans for her future, it became clear that it was important for her to pursue her dreams of playing music and making a career out of it. She said, “I’ve always played [music, but] never saw it as a real option for a career, and then the first day of my senior year of college, my brother passed away. That was just sort of my moment of [realizing that] life is short. Life can end at any moment.”
“I was going to start law school and I was so burned out on college and books [and] just shit I didn’t care about. [At the time, I felt that] I’m choosing to be bitter for the rest of my life by not trying this, and I didn’t think I was even good enough. I had no idea where to start. But I [knew], if I didn’t try it, I’ll always regret it,” she said regarding her inspiration for pursuing a music career.
After making the decision to pursue a music career after college, that summer, Michelle moved to LA in hopes of finding her breakthrough moment. She said, “I had never been in the industry before I modeled in college, but it’s a completely different world. I just started going out, trying things, got screwed over a bunch of times and had really great experiences. I feel like the way that I really got started [in Los Angeles] was [that] I was just always out meeting people, talking to people and I think that’s my strong suit. I think I’m pretty good at just connecting with people.”
Growing up, Michelle loved singing and playing music. At a young age, she learned to play the piano and the violin and would have jam sessions with her brother, an amazing guitar player. Although she did not pursue playing music in school and instead studied journalism and political science, she always loved songwriting.
She said, “I took a [weeklong] songwriting course, through [UC] Berkeley[…] because I [felt like I didn’t] really know how to write songs. That was when I learned that you can’t teach someone how to write a song. That’s what has made me really hone in on being a good songwriter by [first] building the muscle. Also, a huge part of [songwriting] is being willing to just say what comes out even if it’s not good and not worrying about that. You just have to let it out, so the more you do it, the more confident you get in your ability to do it.”
Facing pressure from previous managers to put out music that followed new trends and move in a direction that wasn’t necessarily true to herself, Michelle knew that she had to stand up for herself and make music that she could resonate with. With influences from 2000s pop-rock and pop-punk bands like Green Day and Paramore, she knew what her sound should be like.
She said, “I’ve always been into that kind of music. I never stopped listening to it. I rarely listen to new stuff. [I’m] always listening to old stuff because these bands just started making music again.”
However, her next roadblock came into view. She said, “For a while, I [had] the songs, but I didn’t have the production. There [are] a few producers that I’ve come in contact with who I just love working with and I’m able to get out what’s in my brain. Working with the right producers [has] been the final key for me.”
So what’s next for this rockstar? Her newly released music video for “It’s my Birthday (RIP to me)” is out now and was specially filmed during her funeral-themed 30th birthday celebration. After consistently releasing music since her first single in 2021, Michelle has been working on an EP and an album, but there are no release dates yet.
Besides working on music, Michelle also has a skincare and cosmetics line called By Jordan Michelle, which stays true to her brand as a combination of her passion for music and passion for individuality through self-expression.
Follow Jordan Michelle’s on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music and her website.
Subscribe to Beyond The Stage for more interviews with your favorite up-and-coming artists.
- New Music Friday: January 27, 2023 - January 27, 2023
- New Music Friday: December 16, 2022 - December 16, 2022
- New Music Friday: November 18, 2022 - November 18, 2022
