He’s opened for C.W. Stoneking, Mia Dyson and Alex the Astronaut and AAA Backstage calls him “Brisbane’s Bob Dylanâ€. Folk / Blues-Rock songwriter Jordan Merrick returns today with a politically charged and introspective new single Fault.
The track is an anti-ode to the struggles of the pandemic era – all of Merrick’s insecurities and frustrations gently wading through a psychedelic-tinged river of acoustic guitar and orchestral strings. “I binge TV and started smoking / My mother thinks I’m coping,†he sings with a jovial sense of cynicism.
Merrick penned the song amidst a time of turmoil. “Brisbane had flooded. Putin invaded Ukraine. Lockdowns were happening around the world. Batman was cancelled,†he remarks, both sombre and light-hearted. “The world was changing for the worse, and like many I was sitting, watching on not sure what to do, yet determined to do something. ‘Fault’ is sitting on the back porch in the pouring rain left with pensive thoughts, yet optimistic in its sense of self and belonging.â€
With a home studio at his disposal, Merrick quickly pieced together the tracks for Fault. “The song initially started out as a demo the day I’d written it and quickly turned into a much more detailed song that I initially set out to create.†He called on the talents of Toby Alexander for synth and strings and Maisy Taylor for backing vocals. “Once the acoustic and vocals were in place, we set out to fill that black and white world with the colours of Toby’s strings and the honesty of Maisy’s voice. It really took on a life of its own!â€
Fault is the first offering since Merrick’s 2021 sophomore album Waiting Blues, which reached #15 on the AIR Independent Album charts. Since 2017, he has been captivating listeners with his “anachronistic yet essentially timeless sound†(theMusic.com.au). His debut EP ‘In Colour’ has been streamed over a million times, whilst it’s follow up, ‘Songs From House Arrest’, featured the #1 AMRAP Regional airplay hit Gypsy Diver. He later teamed up with ARIA winner, Steven Schram, in 2019 to deliver his debut album, ‘Night Music’.
When it comes to live shows it’s been a while between drinks for Merrick. “The last time I toured a release was 2019 and had one of my favourite shows ever in Sydney.†Now he’s more ready than ever to hit the road in support of Fault. “I am incredibly excited to bring Fault to The Factory Theatre in Sydney alongside my favourite intimate Brisbane venue The Junk Bar. This song is incredibly personal, so partnering up with these beautiful, intimate venues was important to me and I can’t wait!â€
Jordan Merrick is both a prolific writer as well as an astute musician. His insight connects effortlessly through his words, while the mood he creates on Fault sit’s perfectly in harmony with its lyrics. “Merrick’s music sounds more dynamic and fluid than ever” (AAA Backstage). The song is sure to find success for Merrick and as just a taste of things to come, it certainly sets the bar high.
Jordan Merrick
Upcoming Shows – TICKETS HERE
Saturday 30th July – The Sound Garden, Brisbane – QLD
Saturday 6th August – The Factory Theatre, Sydney – NSW
Saturday 27th August – Junk Bar, Brisbane – QLD
Fault IS OUT NOW – LISTEN HERE
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Thanks to Wildheart Publicity
