ElixerOnMute’s Jordan Ferreira Interview

[ padding=”0 20px 0 20px”][lollum_dropcap]W[/lollum_dropcap]hen I first met Jordan Ferreira he had just finished a killer set as the frontman for his band ElixerOnMute. They we’re opening up for the Aristocrats at the Berklee Performance Center in Boston, MA which is a gig that would make any musician break into a cold sweat. The trio handled it easily like seasoned pros and earned the respect of the demanding and intimidating crowd.

As a frontman singer/guitar virtuoso Jordan Ferreira is an energetic performer with a clear melodious voice and an exciting and dramatic guitar style.

According to his bio Jordan has been touring since the age of 11, performing in Europe, the UK, and Canada with separate projects, as well as the experiences of working with and alongside producers Mudrock (Avenged Sevenfold, Godsmack) Anthony Resta (Elton John, Duran Duran, Nuno Bettencourt) and John Ellis (American hi-fi).

Jordan was kind enough to answer a few questions for us about himself, the music business and opening up for one of his all time heroes.

ElixerOnMute’s Jordan Ferreira Interview

Neil: Hey Jordan. Thanks for taking the time to sit down and answer these questions for us. I was really impressed with your show at Berklee. How long have you been playing guitar and signing?

Jordan: I have been playing guitar for 12 years. Have been singing seriously for about 9 years.

Neil: Man you really must’ve packed in some serious wood-shedding during that time. You sound great. Who are your guitar influences?

Jordan: I always come back to my favorite 4:

Although there are of course so many others that have inspired me so much.

It’s always hard to narrow it down! 🙂

There is also a new wave of unbelievably exciting players that need to be mentioned.

These guys are doing things I’ve never heard done.

Neil: Cool! I’m going to have to check those guys out. It’s always great to find guitarists that are pushing the boundaries of the guitar forward. Elixironmute.com describes you as a young guitar virtuoso, may I ask how old you are?

Jordan: I’m 22.

Neil: Oh man, your still young. I believe your site says that you started performing at a young age, can you give us a few of the projects you worked on before age 10?

Jordan: At around age 5, I recorded vocals on a release that was relatively successful. That was about the extent of what I was doing musically at that age, although I think I probably listened to alot of music that was around the house.

Neil: That’s how it all begins isn’t it? I’ve read that you have been touring since age 11? Please tell us what that must have been like.

Jordan: It was an amazing time. I toured Europe & Canada. The musicians I was playing with were all excellent, and I learned so much from them. That was also the first time I was exposed to the music that would change my life. Dream Theater / Allan Holdsworth / Paco De Lucia. It completely blew my mind that music like that existed.

Neil: I know what you mean. When I first heard Dream Theater I remember thinking, “Man…I’ve got a lot to learn.” You said you are self taught have you had any guitar teachers and if so what has your experience been?

Jordan: I think I took private lessons for maybe 4-5 months. It was a good experience. But at a certain point I just began to feel that music is simply self expression, and only you can really decide what sounds you need to be able to make on the guitar, and what your willing to do to make them. I never really felt like I needed someone else to be motivated, for the things that interested me anyway.

Neil: I’ve found that to be true. While I was teaching private lessons I noticed that the students who really improved were self starters. They would come in having worked on not just my lessons but many others they found online and in magazines, and they would have a billion questions for me. It’s that determination and curiosity that really separates the good from the great.

Speaking of determination, how did The Aristocrats band come to have ElixirOnMute open for them at Berklee?

Jordan: I’ve known Bryan Beller a bit through the last few years. He was kind enough to write an amazing review of ElixirOnMute’s first album “EndOfSky” for Bass Player Magazine, and that sort of started our friendship. Since then we talked about playing together over the years, & this year is when it worked out, & I’m very happy that it did! 🙂 Bryan is an awesome person.

Neil: He totally is. We were lucky enough to interview Bryan’s wife Kira Small, who is also a performer, about touring with her spouse. So we’ve been Twitter friends, but it was really an honor to meet him live at the show. What was it like to open up for one of your top four guitarists and did you get to jam with Guthrie backstage?

Jordan: Playing the same show with Guthrie, Marco and Bryan was an amazing experience. It really showed me that anything is possible. I’ve played a lot of empty rooms for years, & to suddenly be playing with heroes in the most perfect situation, just showed me that I’m on the right track.

Neil: That’s great man. Anything truly is possible if you stick to it, and you most definitely seem to be on the right track. What are you working on next?

Jordan: I’m actually also in a rock band called “Vigilant” with this amazing musician named Jon Reshard. We did a record a while back that’s coming out in 2 weeks. I’m really excited about the music on that, and can’t wait for people to hear it. Other than that, I’m working on music for the new ElixirOnMute release.

Neil: We’ll have to keep an eye out for that. What final advise do you have for other guitarists and musicains who are trying to make a career out of this music thing?

Jordan: I would say, just be a good person. Can’t tell you how far that goes.

Neil: Great advice Jordan. Thanks again for taking the time to answer these questions & best of luck on the new record man.