Jordan Merrick – Sounds of Oz

Jordan Merrick has got me right in the feels with his latest single “The Painting.” It’s a simple song on the surface, with a fairly basic melody and just a little acoustic guitar and harmonica keeping Jordan’s voice company. But that’s a blank canvas for Jordan to tell a gorgeous story about a painting his father gifted him, and about his relationship with the man who raised him. Jordan’s father gave him one of his artistic creations as a gift. After a bad day, Jordan found himself admiring that painting.

“I sat staring at it for what felt like an eternity,” he admitted. “It now stands as a stern reminder of the need to rebel through creation, to remain true to the soul that writes prose or wields a brush. It [‘The Painting’] is a conversation with an alternate version of myself who lets life beat the art out of me. It isn’t a song of hate or anger, but of love.”

“The Painting” comes from Jordan’s recently released album Winner Take Nothing. It’s all good stuff, but I think this simple, poignant song is the standout. After supporting acts including C.W. Stoneking, Alex the Astronaut, and Mia Dyson recently, he’ll headline the following shows in Queensland.

18 November 2023 – Stranded Bar, Meeanjin/Brisbane
1 December 2023 – Home of the Arts, Yugambeh Country/Gold Coast

Image used with permission from Wildheart Publicity

He’s supported acts like C.W. Stoneking and Mia Dyson, but I can’t imagine it’ll be too long before Jordan Merrick is celebrated as a headliner. AAA Backstage has already called him Brisbane’s Bob Dylan, and after listening to his new single “Fault” I can certainly see where those comparisons come from. This is smart songwriting with a political message. But Jordan has his own unique perspective. And dare I say it, his voice is much better than old Bob’s! Jordan wrote this song in a recent time of turmoil.

“Brisbane had flooded. Putin invaded Ukraine. Lockdowns were happening around the world. Batman was cancelled,” he explained. “The world was changing for the worse, and like many I was sitting, watching on not sure what to do, yet determined to do something. ‘Fault’ is sitting on the back porch in the pouring rain left with pensive thoughts, yet optimistic in its sense of self and belonging.”

With a home studio on hand, Jordan quickly set about turning “Fault” into the song you hear today.

“The song initially started out as a demo the day I’d written it and quickly turned into a much more detailed song that I initially set out to create.”

He enlisted the talents of Toby Alexander for synth and strings and Maisy Taylor for backing vocals.

“Once the acoustic and vocals were in place, we set out to fill that black and white world with the colours of Toby’s strings and the honesty of Maisy’s voice. It really took on a life of its own!”

After the pandemic slowed his touring schedule, Jordan is itching to get out there and play for his fans. He’ll hit The Factory Theatre in Sydney on August 6 and Junk Bar in Brisbane on August 27.

Image used with permission from Wildheart Publicity

Tag: Jordan Merrick

Jordan Merrick Releases Emotional Ballad, “The Painting”

Jordan Merrick Wows Me With “Fault”