Jordan Mackampa
11.9.19 // minneapolis, mn @ First avenue
interview by Kendall Polidori + photos by Morgan Winston
London-based pop singer Jordan Mackampa uses inspirations from his upbringing and where he came from to deliver rich, deep lyrics and a soulful sound for audiences. Since 2016 the artist has carved a path for timeless pop, and now Mackampa is pushing it even farther with his latest single “Parachutes” and album “Foreigner,” set to release March 13, 2020. Until then, Mackampa can be found touring for a number of shows with Amber Run.
I read that much of your lyrics and music is inspired by your Congolese roots, can you explain in more depth how? How is this different in comparison to “traditional American-pop” music?
Being Congolese, we have a very distinctive sound and rhythm from our country that’s kinda embedded in us from young. I naturally feel as though I’m constantly writing in an offbeat syncopated melody rather than a straight 4/4 beat. I’d say the comparison lies in the groove between the two.
I also saw you drive inspiration from classic as such as Marvin Gaye, Bill Withers and Curtis Mayfield. Can you explain what draws you to their music?
It’s the just the effortless levels of swagger they exude, as well as the musicianship - I also wish I looked as good as Bill does in a turtleneck!
The classics I mentioned above are usually referred to as “timeless” musicians, how would you describe “timeless?” Do you feel like you reflect that feeling of “timelessness” in your own work?
Timeless are those kinda songs you can keep coming back to - recognisable intros and voices that wash over a calmness in you, i.e the horns at the beginning of ‘Let’s Stay Together’ by Al Green!
This is your first American tour, how has it been so far? Where has been your favorite place, and or the best part?
Tour has been wonderful, trying to avoid tour bus flu and keep on top of my health but other that than it’s been a blast! I think my favourite place so far has been New Orleans, I need a drip feed of gumbo going into my veins ASAP!
Your album “Foreigner” will be out next year and you recently released “Parachutes,” can you talk a bit about the process of writing that and what drove you to create the work?
I wrote Parachutes with my friends One Bit back in 2017, it was one of those sessions of mutual share experiences, talking about people in our lives that had such an effect on us, that jumping out of a plane without a parachute felt as though the only option, due to the pain they’d already caused.
Your other single “What Am I” is a modern take on Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On.” How do you even begin the process of a rendition of an already very well-known song? Do you get nervous or hesitant when trying out a new take on a beloved classic?
I get rid of any idea that’s it’s a rendition, so that way I’m not trying to emulate somethings that’s already been done or people don’t think I’ve made a cover of a well known tune. What I took from Marvin’s classic was the notion that the world right now is in a fucked up place & by giving the instrumentation a sense of familiarity, it would only drive that message further, because it sounds like similar to something they’ve heard before.
What drove you initially to want to become a musician? Were there any major musical influences for you when growing up?
Music was just the thing that made sense when everything else didn’t. I’ve always been drawn to sounds & how things work so being able to create something now; and have others try to figure out how I did a certain guitar fingerpicking rhythm or vocal run, brings me joy.
What is one thing you hope your music does for listeners?
I hope it gives listeners a sense of comfort. I hope it makes them feel understood. I hope it encourages them to know that there’s someone out there who is like them.
As your career picks up, what is one thing you want to try out or accomplish in the near future?
I’d love compose a score for a film one day, or even act in a movie role. Picture & sound go hand in hand for me, so i hope i get to delve into that world more.
