Life & Work with Jordan Maye of Boston

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jordan Maye

Hi Jordan , we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My musical journey began later than most; I began playing piano and singing as a young teen. Discovering that I had both an aptitude and a passion for it, I immersed myself in it and soon began playing guitar as well. In middle school I joined a rock fusion band, which changed everything for me. It was then that I knew that I wanted to pursue music as a career. I began composing music and recording myself. Once I came to this realization, my choice of college was easy. Berklee College of music is the gold standard. My insecurities laid doubt to whether I would be good enough to get in, but my parents instilled in me a belief that one should always pursue their dreams, so I did. Although there have been times when I second guess myself (the talent at Berklee is insane) I continue to pursue my songwriting prolifically.

My Music is deeply personal and it reflects my journey of self discovery. It has always been my “language.“ A way to connect with the world and express the complexities of human emotion. My goal is to write songs that resonate deeply with who we are as a society, tapping into our collective empathy and compassion. I am driven by the power of storytelling, using melody and lyrics to paint vivid pictures of life’s joys and struggles. Each song I write embodies pieces of my journey as I explore the intersections of sound, culture, and personal experience.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
No, life’s journey is never smooth. There are always many struggles and obstacles along the way. Like many, I have dealt with mental health challenges. This led to a brief leave from my studies while I worked on my recovery. It was during this period that I also began navigating my journey as a transgender woman. Despite these challenges, my experiences have shaped who I am personally and as an artist. I am grateful and proud of my accomplishments and I look forward to seeing what the future will bring. Of course, I couldn’t have done it without the love and support of my family and friends. I am grateful for my parents, who stand by me unequivocally and passionately, and to my roommate and best friend Rebecca who has been there through thick and thin. There’s nobody else I could imagine taking this crazy ride with!

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I grew up in Atlanta, Georgia and have been a consistent student of songcraft, taking piano guitar and voice lessons from a young age. I have been impassioned by the music of David Bowie and have always been inspired by his music. I think of myself as a storyteller. In my writing, I look to tap into our shared empathy and compassion, as I believe that these moments help to guide us through life. It is my hope that when listening to my music, the listener feels them and connects with them on a deeper level.
I recently released my first album, “Creation of Jordan Maye.“ I’d have to say that I am quite proud of it because it is effectively a literary-tale of my experiences told through my music.

Not long ago I had the pleasure of meeting songwriter and producer Rico Love, whose advice deeply impacted me. “Write things that need to exist so people can relate to them.” I want to humanize our struggles in my songs, to relate to the problems we all share.

I am also a vocalist. I enjoy singing classic rock songs, David Bowie, Pat Benatar, Heart. I owe my love for classic rock music to my dad. When I was young he would sit at my bed at night and sing Springsteen’s “Thunder Road” to me. Something must have stuck, I guess.

I am also a multi instrumentalist. As I mentioned earlier, I play piano, guitar, bass, and a little drums too. Recently, my roommate and best friend, Rebecca Soul, has been teaching me to play the violin too. I love music and I enjoy learning to play new instruments.

Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
I have to say with my academic schedule. I don’t have a lot of extra time to read for pleasure. However, I do use several apps that I find helpful. Notion is an app that I was recently introduced to by my life coach. It is particularly useful in helping me to stay organized, manage projects, track, goals, and stay generally motivated and productive. I am also a big fan of the app Headspace, which is a meditation app designed to help manage stress and cultivate mindfulness. In terms of podcasts, I recommend the Tim Ferriss show. Tim interviews people from various fields to discuss things that they believe contributed to their success. Another one is Tony Robbins. Similarly, Tony offers meaningful insights on personal development that I find motivating.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/jordan_maye
• Instagram: @Jordan_Maye_Music

Image Credits
Bella Wang Photography