Jordan Madani is the latest Mancunian singer songwriter to join PRS for Music's Songs for Manchester campaign.
Born in Lancashire, Jordan began his songwriting journey after a six year trip to the US. Taking his initial pointers from the likes of Coldplay and the Kooks, he's spent the last few years perfecting his own take on heartfelt indie pop.
PRS for Music’s new Songs for Manchester initiative was launched by GoGo Penguin and Everything Everything last month. Jordan is among six local songwriters spending the next month travelling around the city and writing songs about businesses which support songwriters through buying a PRS for Music licence.
We interviewed Jordan to find out more about the man and his music...
What made you first start writing your own songs?
I first began writing at the age of 12 after I went to my first ever gig, which was watching Coldplay at the MEN Arena (now the Phones 4U Arena) in 2008. That was the moment I knew I wanted to write music and perform in front of audiences. Chris Martin just made it look like so much damn fun! I was sold. I've never really wanted to follow another career path ever since.
How did you get involved with the Songs for Manchester project?
I was contacted by PRS for Music once they came across me and my music online. I was a little surprised at first but was very excited to get on board! And I'm glad I did. I love working with the team, everyone is so talented and modest.
What are the challenges of writing music for the project?
I've worked with briefs in the past at uni but they were a lot more open to interpretation. Writing to the briefs given by the campaign are a lot more specific and challenging, but in a good way. I love having my songwriting abilities put to the test.
Why is it important that local businesses support songwriters via a PRS for Music licence?
Musicians and songwriters alike work hard at what they do and most often don't get the credit they truly deserve for their efforts. However, PRS for Music make that possible. It's a way of making a living out of what we do and love, and every business that obtains a license helps us to keep on doing that.
What are your favourite songs written by Manchester artists?
It's hard to name one particular song but a few of my favourites have to be Holding Back The Years, and Money's Too Tight To Mention by Simply Red, The Drugs Don't Work by The Verve and basically most of (What's The Story) Morning Glory ? by Oasis.
How would you describe your local music scene?
Manchester's music scene is pretty eclectic. You can walk through the city on seven days of the week and discover a new talent; each one of them being significantly different from the last act you saw.
What’s been your most memorable musical moment to date?
Probably my EP launch in August 2013. To have people buy tickets and come especially to see you is such a surreal feeling. It was just cool to have an audience that was really listening, and it was in such an intimate venue, it was a special night shared with absolutely wonderful people.
What have you learnt from being part of this project?
I only ever busked once before I joined the campaign, I didn't really think it was for me. But since starting the street performances with the team I have learnt how great it can actually be and most of all how lovely the people of Manchester are. It makes my day when people go out of their ways to stop and watch you you play, even if just for a moment
What are you working on next?
The last year has mainly consisted of just writing and crafting my desired sound, and I finally feel like it has reached a particularly good point. This means I'll hope to start recording a few tracks and muster up an EP by the first few months of the new year. And then a myriad of gigs and festivals (possibly a UK tour) to follow. Nothing set in stone as of yet but if you follow me on my social media sites I promise you'll hear all about it there first!
Visit the PRS for Music Facebook page to find out more about the campaign and how to enter the Songs for Manchester competition. Check out our previous interview with fellow campaign artists Baxter Rhodes, Seamus McKenna, Liam Blake, Tom Metcalfe and Matt Fryer.
Born in Lancashire, Jordan began his songwriting journey after a six year trip to the US. Taking his initial pointers from the likes of Coldplay and the Kooks, he's spent the last few years perfecting his own take on heartfelt indie pop.
PRS for Music’s new Songs for Manchester initiative was launched by GoGo Penguin and Everything Everything last month. Jordan is among six local songwriters spending the next month travelling around the city and writing songs about businesses which support songwriters through buying a PRS for Music licence.
We interviewed Jordan to find out more about the man and his music...
What made you first start writing your own songs?
I first began writing at the age of 12 after I went to my first ever gig, which was watching Coldplay at the MEN Arena (now the Phones 4U Arena) in 2008. That was the moment I knew I wanted to write music and perform in front of audiences. Chris Martin just made it look like so much damn fun! I was sold. I've never really wanted to follow another career path ever since.
How did you get involved with the Songs for Manchester project?
I was contacted by PRS for Music once they came across me and my music online. I was a little surprised at first but was very excited to get on board! And I'm glad I did. I love working with the team, everyone is so talented and modest.
What are the challenges of writing music for the project?
I've worked with briefs in the past at uni but they were a lot more open to interpretation. Writing to the briefs given by the campaign are a lot more specific and challenging, but in a good way. I love having my songwriting abilities put to the test.
Why is it important that local businesses support songwriters via a PRS for Music licence?
Musicians and songwriters alike work hard at what they do and most often don't get the credit they truly deserve for their efforts. However, PRS for Music make that possible. It's a way of making a living out of what we do and love, and every business that obtains a license helps us to keep on doing that.
What are your favourite songs written by Manchester artists?
It's hard to name one particular song but a few of my favourites have to be Holding Back The Years, and Money's Too Tight To Mention by Simply Red, The Drugs Don't Work by The Verve and basically most of (What's The Story) Morning Glory ? by Oasis.
How would you describe your local music scene?
Manchester's music scene is pretty eclectic. You can walk through the city on seven days of the week and discover a new talent; each one of them being significantly different from the last act you saw.
What’s been your most memorable musical moment to date?
Probably my EP launch in August 2013. To have people buy tickets and come especially to see you is such a surreal feeling. It was just cool to have an audience that was really listening, and it was in such an intimate venue, it was a special night shared with absolutely wonderful people.
What have you learnt from being part of this project?
I only ever busked once before I joined the campaign, I didn't really think it was for me. But since starting the street performances with the team I have learnt how great it can actually be and most of all how lovely the people of Manchester are. It makes my day when people go out of their ways to stop and watch you you play, even if just for a moment
What are you working on next?
The last year has mainly consisted of just writing and crafting my desired sound, and I finally feel like it has reached a particularly good point. This means I'll hope to start recording a few tracks and muster up an EP by the first few months of the new year. And then a myriad of gigs and festivals (possibly a UK tour) to follow. Nothing set in stone as of yet but if you follow me on my social media sites I promise you'll hear all about it there first!
Visit the PRS for Music Facebook page to find out more about the campaign and how to enter the Songs for Manchester competition. Check out our previous interview with fellow campaign artists Baxter Rhodes, Seamus McKenna, Liam Blake, Tom Metcalfe and Matt Fryer.
