The inaugural Torch Fest will arrive next month in Brisbane, for a day-long celebration of damn-fine independent music while shining a light on mental health.
As COVID continues to create an unsettling work environment for the vast majority of the music industry, Torch Fest – presented by charity group Listen Up Music – is another opportunity to continue having conversations about about mental health and removing the unfair stigma that is often associated with talking openly about general well-being.Torch Fest is also a day to enjoy the fun and celebrate seeing live music in the flesh, and event organisers have collected a group of emerging indie champions headlined by Tia Gostelow, who recently released her sophomore record 'Chrysalis'.
Tia will be joined by pop, R&B artist DOOLIE, indie singer-songwriter ELEEA, blues-roots musician Jordan Merrick, and indie-pop folk artist Leonie Kingdom, and a host more.
Jordan, who recently released his newest single 'This Rainy Day', sits down for a chat about the festival and the year ahead.
For those unfamiliar with your work, what's your elevator pitch to your sound, style?
I sing songs for the soul – a little folk, a little blues. A little fiction, a little truth. Which is which? You'll have to listen and decide for yourself.
You had an active role behind the scenes with Torch Fest; tell us a bit about the festival and the cause that is bringing everyone together?
Breaking the stigma around mental health is something I'm incredibly passionate about. Listen Up Music is a charity that does just that – raises awareness and breaks the barriers of mental health in the music scene.
Torch Fest was scheduled to be a national event held in Sydney, but unfortunately COVID did its thing and forced Listen Up Music to cancel.
I felt now more than ever we needed live music and a place to come together and share our stories. Through hard work and community, Torch Fest Brisbane was born. I'm incredibly stoked to be sharing the stage with the likes of Tia Gostelow, Doolie and Genes who I've admired immensely as artists and leaders in their genre.
Throw them in with Leonie Kingdom, Ella Fence, Marloe, Hello Jane, Freight Train Foxes, Eleea, Emma Beau, Kate Gill and myself, and it's truly an incredible line-up covering such a wide range of styles.
Queensland has mostly being able to return to some level of regular live music being performed; do you think the pandemic has given audiences are greater appreciation for what is involved in organising live music events?
Definitely! When playing my return show at The Junk Bar in February, I couldn't believe how much love was in the room. I think we were a group of 50 music lovers all so grateful to share in songs, stories, laughs and tears. It felt like we were home after a year of turbulence.
On the flipside, as an artist has the past 12 months allowed you to evaluate how you present your music to a live audience?
Yes and no. Yes in the sense that I, like everyone else, had to adapt and find new ways to connect with my audience. Live streaming was great, but there's nothing quite like playing live. If anything, it gave me time to reflect and write.
Tell us about your new single 'This Rainy Day'; what did you want to create specifically with this song?
I didn't set out to create anything specific with 'This Rainy Day' – it was one of those special moments as a writer where the world around me was chaotic (Melbourne weather will do that!), yet beautiful and the song just came to me and was written within a few minutes. It doesn't happen often, but I always appreciate moments like that as a songwriter.
The press release says you wrote the song on an actual rainy day; did that help the creative juices flow better with the rain coming down?
One hundred per cent. There is absolutely no chance that song would have been written without that exact moment – surrounded by the chaotically beautiful rain.
Where are you at with a follow-up to your 2019 solo album, 'Night Music'?
Album #2 is on its way! When? You'll just have to wait and see.
Lyrically, do you like to pursue certain themes, subjects with your songwriting?
I just try to write what I'm feeling. There's a great quote I always come back to when writing: 'Find the key emotion – that may be all you need to write your story' – F. Scott Fitzgerald.
I think if you have the emotion in your heart, the story will tell itself. Sometimes it's fact and fiction dancing with each other to create something – be it good or bad; other times it's an honest moment like 'This Rainy Day'. I just take whatever comes to me and roll with it.
What about creative influences, do you tend to allow other music, musicians (or even non-music ideas) to filter into your own creations?
All the time. I feel so grateful to have a wealth of poetry, songs and books to take inspiration from and homage in my writing. If you were to dig deep, you'd find a little Hemingway, some King and plenty of Cave and Dylan sprinkled throughout my songwriting.
You've been releasing music since 2015; as an artist how have you progressed during this time and do you see yourself as a career musician?
I feel like I've progressed as a human being more than anything. I've had failures and successes. At times I've felt like pursuing this crazy dream is pointless and other times I'm hitting myself for even contemplating that thought.
As to whether I'm a career musician – I don't think it's as black and white as that. Music and writing is as necessary to me as breathing. Music is a huge part of who I am and I can't see a future without it being at the forefront of my life.
The rest of 2021 for Jordan Merrick; what's the plan with your music?
I've got some exciting plans for 2021. New music is at the forefront, but also have some collaborations in the pipeline that I am so excited about – really exploring new mediums. I'll be able to share more soon.
Thanks for your time Jordan; anything else you'd like to add?
Thank you for your time! I would like to give a shout out to all music media outlets who have worked tirelessly to support artists in the last year. The challenges are nowhere near over, but if we continue to work together we will accomplish some amazing things.
Torch Fest takes place at The West Room (Brisbane) 10 April.
