Brisbane lo-fi soul sensation, Jordan Rakei will return from the UK for a national homecoming tour this month, bringing with him a fresh batch of new songs from his forthcoming debut LP.
“I’ve been living in London for pretty much the past 14 months and it’s been amazing, mainly personally because of the lifestyle difference,” Jordan says. “It’s challenged me in so many different ways, but I’ve met people who have helped me write my music for my album, so all in all it’s been an amazing life experience this past year.
“I came to London with not really much knowledge of where I was in the [music] industry and the London reception has been amazing; I’ve sold out my first three shows I’ve played here, so it’s been crazy.”
Jordan’s upcoming ‘The Light’ tour, named for his newest single, will be the first time the multifaceted singer-songwriter-producer has been back to Australia since relocating to London. “It’s crazy that it’s the first time I’m coming back in 14 months after writing this new material,” he says.
“I’m coming back to Australia to showcase some of the new tunes and also play ‘The Light’ which is the single that has just come out recently.
“Since leaving Australia I’ve seen the Australian reception grow a lot stronger, which has been good because before I left it wasn’t as strong as I’d hoped, but now it’s grown into a big beast, so I’m definitely keen to get back and play to friends and family, and play to people who have known me for a long time; I’m keen to show them the new tunes, really.”
Born in New Zealand but raised in Brisbane since the age of three, Jordan says the tour will also be the first time he performs in the Land Of The Long White Cloud. “I was born there and I haven’t even gone back to the place where it all started, since my career began.
“I’m so excited to play a festival and play my own headline show in Wellington. I’m just excited for the whole tour generally because I’ve got so many new tunes that I’m ready to share and see how they all go down.”
Jordan released his debut EP, ‘Franklin’s Room’, in 2013 followed by the sophomore release, ‘Groove Curse’ in 2014, both demonstrating his talent across various genres: reggae, dub, soul, hip hop and deep house.
For the forthcoming record, Jordan relied less on external musical influences and instead worked hard on sculpting his own, unique sound, resulting in an album that emanates his development and growth as an artist. “I have produced the closest thing to what I think is my sound, that’s why I’m excited to get it out, because I feel like this is the ‘real’ me and people can finally hear it. [I’m] not disregarding my past releases, I’m just saying I’ve grown as an artist.
“I’m so keen to show people the new sound because obviously I’ve been working at it since ‘Groove Curse’, which came out in September 2014... I’ve definitely changed as an artist and I hope everyone comes along on the journey and we all grow together.”
Jordan Rakei Tour Dates
Fri 12 Feb - Flyrite (Perth)Sat 13 Feb - Rocket Bar (Adelaide)
Thu 25 Feb - Woolly Mammoth (Brisbane)
Fri 26 Feb - The Evelyn (Melbourne)
Sat 27 Feb - Newtown Social Club (Sydney)
