JORDAN FLETCHER Q&A

With the release of his newest EP Classic, singer-songwriter Jordan Fletcher has once again turned industry eyes toward his artist career as he propels into the buzzworthy limelight that’s hailed him as one to watch. We had the chance to check in with him during the week of the release and chat about the process of creating the EP, the success of both “Fall in the Summer” and “About Jill,” how this batch of songs spoke to him, balancing his songwriting side with his artist side, and much more!

(Photo credit: Jacqueline Justice)

1) You dropped your new EP CLASSIC on Sept 27th (2024). Tell us a bit about the EP and what to expect from it.

The Classic EP… we've been working on it for the past five years. Austin Nivarel and I started it in his attic like right after Covid and we didn't really even know what we were getting into. We started writing songs that we wanted to hear that we couldn't find anywhere else, and it kinda developed from there.  All the songs ended up being something that we knew were special, but we didn't know exactly what to do with them and over the years they kept coming back. Project after project, every time I would put a song out or I put out music, I would always go back to these songs and go “Man, this does feel really true to me. It feels like what I wanna listen to.” Then after a while it just turned into one of those things to where I was like "Man, if I never put these songs out, I’d really be kicking myself down the road because I love these songs and I always have." They remind me of home, of what I grew up on. The bones are all there. They fit in the commercial country space because that's what I love and that's what I write, but the ingredients are just a little bit different that we kind of poured into the bowl. I think what we came out with is something that's really special. I think each song speaks for itself and stands on its own legs, but I think together they tell a bigger story of who I am and who I've developed into as an artist and a songwriter.

2) You previewed the EP with a couple of songs over the summer. “Fall in the Summer” back in July released first. What was it about that song that you felt really made it a great first introduction to the overall vibe of the EP?

'Fall in the Summer' is the first song I've ever recorded that I didn't write. It's a fun song to play and listen to, so it always felt like a great first step in introducing my new EP.

3) “About Jill” followed about a month later at the end of August. In what ways do you feel that song helped present a bit of a different feel than what we heard on “Fall in the Summer,” but also what similar traits run through them both that define your unique style and sound?

I wanted the listener to get a full preview of what the project will be like. I feel like those song showcase my diversity as an artist and a songwriter.

4) This song, “About Jill” had you saying on socials how stoked you were to finally get it out in the world. What does this song mean to you?

'About Jill' is a really special song to me. Initially we’d written it, and I thought that a female should sing it because it says something so powerful, but I realized after time went on that it would be really sweet for a guy to say it and I’m really glad that I ended up being the person who got to sing it.

The song tells a very real story for a lot of people. It’s not my particular story, but as we were writing it, we were really utilizing the strength of country music storytelling to tell a very common story that we don’t like to believe is that common. 'About Jill' kind of puts a face to it in a lot of ways and I think that we did a really good job with that and I’m really thankful that I got to be a part of it. I want to thank Nora Collins for writing that song with me and chasing it.

5) With the EP, is there a song(s) on it that we haven’t heard yet that stands out as your favorite?

Probably 'California Queen' and 'No Place Like Home.'

'California Queen' is right in my sweet spot as an artist. It's really smooth. It brings a lot of buttery sounds to the project and it’s one of my favorite songs to play live. I love it. I love the lyrics, I love singing it, love playing it.

'No Place Like Home' came from me dealing in real time with that transition of calling the place I grew up home and transitioning into calling home the place I live now. For me I've grown-up more in Nashville in the eight years I’ve been here than I did in the 22 years I did when I was in Florida. It was really awkward - I felt like I didn’t really have a home and was misplaced. That song was just me grappling with that idea and I think it came out great and it helped me a lot.

6) You’re certainly recognizable in the music community as an accomplished songwriter with cuts by the likes of Jake Owen, Megan Moroney, and more. What hurdles, if any, have you faced with making the transition into artist territory?

I've been pursuing my artistry as long as I've been writing, and it can be a tricky line to tow when you're 100% invested in both sides of the industry. The hardest part of both is finding your own voice. It's taken some time but since I've found my voice as an artist it's been pedal to the floor.

7) Digging into this crop of new songs, did you initially write any of them with specific artist pitches in mind and then decide they were too close to your heart and kept them for yourself or did you specifically write these for you and your EP?

'About Jill' was initially meant for a female artist but the longer I lived with it the less I wanted to part ways with it. I'm real glad I didn’t.

8) Take us into the writing room with you for a typical session. Lyrics first? Melody first? Just feel out the vibe of the room and let it flow from there?

Usually, I just ask what the artists/writer is currently listening to, then I ask what keeps them up at night and that will usually get the ball rolling one way or another.

9) We have so many aspiring songwriters and artists that read our website, so we always like to end by asking this…what is the best piece of advice you can offer?

Try to write a song every day that YOU are excited to listen to on your way home. It's always going to be a shot in the dark, but you have a better chance hitting the target you set up.

(Interview by: Jeffrey Kurtis)