and THE WARBIRDS.
Dan Jordan
Songwriter | Storyteller
Behind the Music
About Dan Jordan.
Born and raised in Wales, slowly shifting across the map, rolling from sleepy, tucked away towns and villages, (the types of places whose names seem hazily familiar but are scarcely recalled) and onward to the city-scapes, all the while taking in off-the-cuff inspiration, inspiration that is then moulded into what could be called “songs”. A collection of intimate stories and broad observations. A disgruntled library that gathers dust in the mind until they are call upon once more.
A Conversation:
There has rarely been a moment where Dan has not been part of a music scene (in some form or another). Dan explains, “It seems that, wherever you are or wherever you base yourself, musicians just…emerge, they surround you and form around each other as if there is a natural instinct that draws us to like-minded people”.
After years of playing on many other’s songs, Dan started to write more and more of his own tales and musings. On writing as part of a band, Dan says, "There are always things that you feel need to be said or stories that you want to tell but they don’t always translate whilst wearing another man’s suit - and I mean that graciously”. And so, song writing became more of a solo endeavour. He explains that, “it was a nice feeling to ‘come home’, to find my own way of conveying a story for the first time without having to stray into the potentially muddy rivers, caused by sharing a song between many cooks”.
With the exception of the obvious first album (seemingly written “in a haze” with Bob Dylan records playing on his mind) Dan says that any influences, either musically or artistically, have never been, “consciously mimicked on the records”. In the case of the first album, Dan was, “looking for a simple, musical style as a means of direction”. After this, he realised that, as long as the core stories are there, this "style" could find him instead and so the ethos seemed to be "let's see what comes out naturally". If any influences have indeed seeped into the way Dan writes over the years since, then he hasn’t noticed and nor does he seem to really care. Instead, Dan explains, “I love hearing people tell me who my influences are – musically, I have no clue! I mean, in hindsight, sure there have been a few that have inevitably creeped in but, they are never knowing at the time, besides, I've always thought that one is not the best person to describe oneself, so in that regard, I don't have an opinion either way. If you're really pushing me, if I really had to describe my music, a genre...Americana...no, Cymru-cana...Cymru-cana Noir - let's run with that".
In a way, it may be that any limitations could very well be Dan’s greatest distinction. In his own words, “I have never called myself a guitarist, a pianist, a singer. I'd feel like a fraud if I were to label myself with these wonderful titles. What is important to me is that I can convey my stories in a simple manner”. Dan goes on to explain that, “Generally, I try not to put too much thought into the music. Once the chords are in place, I usually run with the first idea I get for any of the parts. It’s very natural, fluid. They’re usually recorded in one or two takes and as soon as that track is down, I forget about it and move on. It’s a quick process. It takes longer to re-learn the songs so that we can play them live! But I like this way of recording and writing, it’s organic in the way that they seem a lot more alive when improvised, you get lovely, nuanced moments to your song this way, it’s very of the moment, not forced”.
The songs are also recorded using scrounged instruments and recording spaces that were 'utilize' when the opportunities presented themselves. This may go to some way in explaining the sometimes erratic soundscapes and crude recordings within the older records. As Dan explains, “You don't need to pick up the best or most fancy instruments to get your point across. Hopefully, I like to think that I can scrape by on the merit of a half decent song or tale”.
As for playing live, Dan has his makeshift (and ever-evolving) band; "The Warbirds", of which you may never see the same line-up at any two gigs! However, the band does feature two long-term members (and good friends); Sam and Patti.
With Sam’s wonderful electric guitar touch, tone and expression and Patti’s technical and soulful playing style on violin, “The Warbirds” are a perfect backing to Dan’s story-telling. Whilst recording new material (as and when the mood hits him), Dan and the band have also been busy re-working ‘classics’ from their extensive back- catalogue and, are very much looking forward to playing them live for you, real soon!
Latest News / Announcements
| "THE TROUBLE WITH MONSTERS" - NEW MUSIC, OUT NOW! |
Oct, 2023
Recently, we have been working on some new tunes and, we're happy happy to say that, our latest E.P; “The Trouble With Monsters”, is now available to stream and download!
Seven brand-new tracks by Dan Jordan and featuring, some very dear (and gifted) friends and musicians, including classical pianist Gheroghe Simion, celloist Alistair Howes and guitarist Sam Harman.
A big "thank you for all of the support whilst we worked on this project - more news coming your way, soon!
LISTEN ON SPOTIFY: Click Here.
LISTEN ON APPLE MUSIC: Click Here.ven
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| DAN JORDAN NOMINATED FOR THE "WELSH MUSIC PRIZE" |
AUG, 2022
So, we've just discovered that (somehow), we are in the running for the Welsh Music Prize!
The sheer fact that we have been acknowledged for our latest album; "Road to Ruin", amongst other artists such as Stereophonics and Manic Street Preachers, is an absolute delight. This alone is genuinely enough of an honor however, if you did want to vote for us, it would mean the world.
Please click here to vote for "Dan Jordan" and our album "Road to Ruin"
For more information, including other nominated artists, click here.
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| NEW ALBUM, "ROAD TO RUIN" - AVAILABLE NOW. |
September, 2021
Well hello everybody. Hope you are all doing well?!
As like most artists, Dan has been busy working away on some new tunes during the lock-down. Well,
exciting times indeed because, the new album; "Road To Ruin", is finally here!
Marking Dan Jordan's 8th solo release, "Road To Ruin" is now available to stream and download. Check it out and let us know what you think:
LISTEN ON SPOTIFY: click here.
LISTEN ON APPLE MUSIC: click here.
As always, thank you all for your support and kindness. Stay safe!
"Road To Ruin" written by: Dan Jordan.
Performed by: Dan Jordan and featuring: Sam Harman, Matthew Taylor, Matthew White & Mark Thomas.
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| "SMOKE SIGNALS", THE NEW E.P. - AVAILABLE NOW! |
September, 2020
Available now on digital platforms, the new E.P. by Dan Jordan, featuring 4 original tracks:
"Darlin', Don't Go Easy"
"Water Horse"
"Bronze And Blue"
"Assume I'm Wearing Black"
Take a listen by clicking on the links below and, as always, a big thank you for all of your amazing support! :)
Spotify: click here
iTunes: click here
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Discography
The Trouble With Monsters
(2023)
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These Kinda Things
On Your Mind
Quicksilver
Death Valley
Let My Body Burn
*BONUS TRACKS:
Death Valley (Instrumental Version)
Let My Body Burn (Combustion Remix)
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Dan Jordan: Guitar / Vocals / Everything Else
Sam Harman: Electric Guitar
Elena Rose: Backing Vocals
Gheorghe Simion: Piano (Death Valley)
Alistair Howes: Cello (Death Valley)
*Tracks 4 & 6 Written With: Gheorghe Simion
*Track 7 Remixed By: Sam Harman
Spotify: Click Here
Apple Music: Click Here
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Album / Single Reviews
"Dan Jordan & The Warbirds make music that is direct and from the heart. It is timeless song-crafting that revels in its making, its crooning, its guttural lyricism and its simple arrangement - carried out perfectly" - Swansea Fringe Festival.
"Jordan’s voice refuses to be sweet or pretty – and is definitely not your friend. It comes from the Cave/Cohen/Dylan school of uncompromise, laden with doom, telling you the way things are, whether you like them or not".
"Gritty lyrics with even grittier delivery but with patches of disguised humour throughout".
Welsh Connections
"Soft and delicate composition creates a beautifully light atmosphere which allows deeper access into Jordan’s poetry. There is a real slice of folk storytelling here, delivered rather nicely through a deep voice that contains the faint presence of delicacy and vulnerability".
Get The Chance
"Dan Jordan and the Warbirds is strong stuff, heavy on atmosphere, poetic imagery and irresistible mystery. One can’t help but hear echoes of Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen in the dark drama of his voice. But the powerful maelstrom of images created by his songs is such that one wouldn’t be that surprised if Johnny Cash or Jim Morrison suddenly stumbled into the musical fray".
Pembrokeshire Online
"Dan Jordan and The Warbirds evade categorisation. They are poetry. They are music. They are outlaw country. They are moody blues. They are folk storytelling. They are heavy metal vocals".
Get The Chance
"I love a good tune, one that leaves you wanting to continue through by keeping you gripped and Dan has this down to tee. His storytelling is another stand out feature of the songs. You get a sense of Bob Dylan meets David Attenborough, a weird analogy, I know, but you have that song style of Bob Dylan mixed in with the silk and warming vocals of David Attenborough"
"A cinematic Morricone-esque mix of melancholy and poignancy – dark and yet uplifting in the midst of bleakness. This seems to be what Dan Jordan is about; and when he adds his words and his singing, we are taken even further into the heart of a harsh world".
"Jordan is not that interested in conventional approaches to song presentation. Here the song seems to become a journey, a musical and mysterious development that unfolds, taking you from A to Z rather than just circling around A and B".
"Dan's voice, as unusual as it is, really keeps me gripped. It’s like he’s telling you a story and you want to know where it’s going next. Musically the backing is amazing, vocally, I have never heard vocals done this way before and I am so very impressed. Unique, edgy, storytelling. It's so intriguing that it works to perfection. I really can’t wait until the next time I get music from Dan".
"Jordan has something special. His songs are very much him and very much complete. They sound like they come naturally but they are no doubt the result of a lot of hard work as well as hard talent. And all of that deserves wider recognition".
"If you like your music with a touch of Nick Cave, Tom Waits and/or Leonard Cohen with a pinch of Dylan (Bob, not Thomas) you really should check this guy out".
Welsh Connections
"Dan is a teller of tales, some intimate and personal, some universal and apocalyptic. He also writes some brilliant lines and he often has the confidence in his own word visions to not be hemmed in by the need for a rhyme. His lyrics are set in perfectly intense musical backgrounds that encompass the influences of folk songs, ballads, blues and rock, almost always with effective and original use of percussion".
Pembrokeshire Online
"A word about the music: It's varied. The music happens and I wasn't thrown by any of it. Probably because Dan Jordan's voice commands the whole outing. In this day and age of obscene inequality, obscene wealth, starvation, industrial pollution, spineless corrupt politicians, post-covid climate burnout, etc. maybe we should let Dan weave his theft magic on Musk and Bezos and the rest of the clown billionaires".
"Dan himself is described as a songwriter and storyteller. I feel he has that storytelling vibe, and sometimes that can portray more emotion than vocals over a full band. The story or poetic feel gives Dan more of a unique edge. Definitely something different which stands out from the rest".
"For a song to bear repeated hearings, it has to have not only an appealing unity of music and words, but also a certain depth and mystery.
Dan Jordan ticks all those boxes beautifully".
"Dan Jordan definitely has his own voice and his own approach to singing, writing and recording. The stripped back instrumentation, mostly provided by Dan, has more impact than a full-blown production ever could. Everything in this bare setting seems to be in its rightful place and creates real drama . These Smoke Signals from Dan Jordan are very clear: they announce the presence among us of a notable poetic and musical talent".
“A very idiosyncratic style, somewhere between Charles Bukowski and Leonard Cohen”
"Comparisons with Tom Waits are always going to be made with Dan Jordan's "Warbirds" but the question is whether this is a good thing in a time when we're losing our cultural heroes to the old Grim Reaper. We need new heroes to carry the torch onward and provide an escape from the mundanities of life. That's not to say that poor old Tom Waits is going anywhere just yet - but it's good to be prepared! A well rounded collection of original songs delivered stylishly and not lacking in commercial punch with even touches of Johnny Cash's impudent swagger".
"Dan reminds us that there is still a place in the modern world for music in which the heart lies in the moment"
Gallery
Featuring Photographs and works by: Nikola Rysová
In the Studio
Live In Swansea, 2022
Live In Cardiff
In the Studio
Contact
Have an idea, questions or query? - Please feel free to get in touch!
Based in Cardiff, Wales.