Jordan Harris dropped in to visit The Rock Block this week – he talked about the exciting mogo Portland Music Festival coming up this November, and how he was excited to be part of this diverse and supportive music community in Portland. His own words describe his musical journey so much better than I can, so I’ve asked for and received permission to share his preliminary interview.
Photo by Teri Briggs
“My influences In music? My parents!! One of my sister’s old boyfriends, and many others… I grew up with it around. It’s so hard to narrow it down. I grew up listening to Christian music, but rebelled and snuck rock, rap, and pop albums into my backpack from older friends when I was as young as 8 yrs old. Actually, I used to steal my older brothers CDs out of his truck so I could hear the Weezer Blue Album, Rage Against the Machine, Nirvana, No Doubt, AC/DC, Alanis Morsette, Queen, James Taylor, John Denver, or anything that I could get my hands on.”
Photo by Teri Briggs
“I got my first drum set at age 10 and started lessons. I connected with it (playing music), and practiced a lot. At 12, I saved up $50 and requested I get a boom box for Christmas. I did- and when my parents were at work, I bought an electric guitar and small practice amp and started playing guitar by ear. I would ask dad what certain chords were when I watched him play. Then I just started to play guitar”.
Photo by Teri Briggs
“I had been singing naturally my whole life. After playing guitar in my room for a few years, I started to pick songs I could sing. I began building a catalog, At that point was old enough to buy records(CDs), and I had started to play (at events) for my school. I was then asked to play for my church. I started with that, and soon was taken under the wing of some great musicians, including the local talent, Brandon Cook.”
We are grateful to Jordan Harris for sharing his story with us, and for his lovely serenade in the studio. Check out the podcast below for more from Jordan Harris!
- A Very New Pickathon in 2022 - August 13, 2022
- Pickathon returns to Pendarvis Farm! It’s not just the artists that’ll be new. - August 3, 2022
- July is BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month (Black, Indigenous, Persons of Color) - July 14, 2022
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