J A S O N J O R D A N
A&R Consultant and Artist Manager
New York City.
What is your morning ritual?
I am highly productive in the morning hours (as a result of fatherhood). I get up at around 5:30am, as that is when my son wakes up. While he eats breakfast and I nurse a cup of coffee, we spend an hour together listening to all the music people have sent me overnight. If the music sucks we listen to The Stones.
What is your hustle?
In the wake of an 18 year A&R career, I am now just trying to figure out what the hell I want to be when I grow up. I currently manage a band from Texas called WILD PARTY. I consult for a couple of record labels and some diverse creative media entities - I think right now, having had such a deep background in major label A&R, means a really exciting time for me. I am enjoying music more than I ever have.
What is art to you?
Anything disruptive that has an impact. Art shouldn't try to be defined - Although I wish I had the monopoly on good taste.
Tell me about a lesson you had to learn the hard way?
How to be a team player. Early in my A&R career I was chasing a prominent dance music legend who I did eventually sign. During that time, there was another company (part of Columbia Records where I was working at the time) who were inserting themselves in the middle of my record deal. I didn't realize it at the time, but although they were totally trying to screw me over - they were actually helping me close the deal. So I realize, if you work towards a common goal - you can always win. In the end, I just wanted to work with the artist and that should have been my only goal.
What is the biggest risk you've ever taken?
The music business - believing in myself - and that my little punk rock label could actually be a career. I was pre-med and en route to be a doctor. I am still on a "leave of absence" from my university! Nearly twenty years later, I am now left to either fade away and go sell real estate or to do something radical again; To build something new in the industry I know and love.
What advice would you give yourself 12 months ago?
Save more money - you have enough sneakers.
What do you consider your greatest achievement so far?
My children.
What music do you listen to at home?
Reggae. Why would I lie? Ask anyone.
If you could provoke change in any area of the music business, what would it be?
I would love to see someone invent a fair record deal.
A record deal has always been a vehicle for labels to make too much money from the hard work of an artist. It should be a real partnership.
Tell me about an ambition that you are still heading towards?
I would love to be an educator and teacher. I think there isn't a lot of mentoring in this business and I am lucky that I encountered people along the way who were patient enough to teach me.
If you could go for a beer with anyone - whom you have yet to meet - who would it be?
David Geffen. If you've ever read The Operator, you would have some questions for that dude too!
Describe your favourite shoes from your wardrobe?
Are you joking? I think someone has told you about my habit. I am like Imelda Marcos on the sneaker tip.
T H E M A N I F E S T O R E C O M M E N D S
Art Direction: Beatrice Hurst
Photographer: Phil Knott