Jordan Jackson’s Songwriting Survival Kit

Jordan Jackson with her songwriting survival kit: “Writing really requires mental space and physical space.”

A Roland piano, bright light, tea, and adventures on a bicycle form the foundation of this deeply personal creative practice

London-born, Copenhagen-based musician Jordan Jackson has built a reputation for her soulful blend of jazz, R&B and soul, performing at venues and festivals including Ronnie Scott’s, the Jazz Café and Copenhagen Jazz Festival. Following the release of her debut LP Back To Basics, an intimate exploration of love, heartbreak and resilience, Jordan reveals the essential gear that shapes her songwriting process and brings her music to life…

More songwriting survival kits

I’d love to share a sneak peek into my songwriting world, the space I like to write in, and some of the must-have items that help me to find my muse. As a songwriter, people often ask me what comes first when writing a new song – is it the melody, the chords, the lyrics, or something more personal? I would say that when I look at all of the songs I’ve written, there is no formula, but the common denominator is curiosity and a surrender to the process… plus the help of a few essentials, which I’ll introduce you to:

1. ROLAND DIGITAL PIANO

I’ve written about 95 percent of my songs on this instrument. I bought this keyboard when I started university during my music degree. I remember that I scoured the internet and every instrument store on my radar to find the right sound. I settled on the Roland HP-207e. The sound is really warm and modelled on the Steinway concert piano.

I really wanted a digital piano that I could practice on at home, and was super impressed by how many details are built into this instrument to model an acoustic piano – from the echo of the foot pedals being pressed, to different opennesses of the piano lid, and varying degrees of key weight. It’s a core component in my creative process and we go everywhere together. We started making music when I was at university. I composed my debut EP Footprints on it in London, and it went with me to Copenhagen.

Normally, when I’m writing, I’ll sit in the living room, look out to the world whilst playing around on the keys, sometimes with an agenda, and sometimes not. I really love to experiment and see what comes to me in the moment. I wrote Blue Sky from the album like that. At the time I had been learning a jazz standard that had a diminished chord in the progression, and, as I was practising through the chords, I started exploring new ideas, which eventually turned into Blue Sky.

Fun fact: my piano also made a cameo in the music video for Blue Is For The Sky. We used a beautiful flat in the centre of Copenhagen, and filmed on the rooftop.

2. BRIGHT LIGHT

In the winter time, I like to use one of those bright light therapy-style lamps because the days can be so grey and long and can have a really heavy impact on my mood and energy levels. I got it one year when I was feeling uninspired and suffering from winter depression, and the light helped me to get past the gloom of the season and feel more energised, inspired, and optimistic. In the summer, my flat gets so much light that it’s super bright from like 5 am, so this is purely necessary for the dark winter months when the days are shorter.

Sometimes I switch on my bright light to create a warm mood, essential for songwriting. I also used it a few times during my weekly live stream series on Instagram, Tunes Over Tea, to brighten the video and create a sun-like glow in the video.

Jordan Jackson: “I have come up with so many lovely ideas whilst on my bike.” Photo: Evelkeneevel

3. NOTEBOOK AND PENS

Maybe an obvious one here, but there’s nothing more grounding than sitting with a pen and paper and journaling, or doodling and transcribing your thoughts.

This is a really great way to get into the flow and also to sketch out a lyrical idea or a chord progression. Over the last couple of years, I’ve got into the habit of writing a stream of consciousness in the morning, which is an exercise inspired by the book The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron. I found the book so incredibly inspiring and try to journal in this way each morning, or at least as often as I can. The goal is to fill three whole pages with a stream of whatever comes to mind.

4. TEA

Tea, and more tea. I love to start my day with a nice brew. And throughout the day, I’m never far off from a calming cup of tea. I love all sorts, but mostly herbal. In the spring, I make a hay fever blend with nettles and peppermint, which is soothing and fresh, and is the perfect companion when at the piano and writing a little ditty.

5. PHONE

I hate to admit it, but my phone is a massive aid in creating new material. Conversely, I feel that much of creating requires switching off digitally, and getting away from social media, emails, and distractions, but I use my phone to write down lyrics, record voice notes, and to set timers for focused practice time. Sometimes, when I’m on the go and I get an idea, the voice notes are a fantastic way to save the little spark of inspiration and come back to it later.

I do try really hard to limit my phone usage, so it’s a bit weird to admit that it can be so useful when I’m writing and creating. I rely so much on my phone from day to day, so any chance I can get to switch off from it, I really welcome this.

6. BICYCLE

I have come up with so many lovely ideas whilst on my bike. The where isn’t so important – the enjoyment comes from being out of the house and in motion on my bike.

I think there’s something about being out in the fresh air, the mindfulness of being on the bike with a one-track mind, that leaves space for new melodies to float into the consciousness. Sometimes I’ll be working on an idea in the house, and then get out and I feel the idea develop and take shape when I’m on my bike. I love how magical this sensation can be.

One of my favourite places to go cycling out of Copenhagen is Klampenborg, which is home to a beautiful green area with wild deer and horseback riding. I love visiting here because it’s really calm and peaceful. There are stables here, which I often like to visit and say hello to the horses, which I find really therapeutic.

7. SPACE

This is a more abstract one, but writing really requires mental space and physical space. So often I am busy and distracted by the daily humdrum that I don’t leave space for creativity. The trickiest, but most important, part of the writing process is simply starting. Not succumbing to the temptation of doing that errand, or replying to that message, but simply surrendering to a place of being. Writing requires a state of flux, which only comes when we decide to simply: be.

Jordan Jackson’s debut album Back To Basics is out now. For the latest music and upcoming shows, head to jordanjackson.co.uk

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