n 2017, a group of 5 seasoned musicians formed in the vein of metal and hard rock influenced by legends spanning decades, and contemporaries alike. In less than a year, they have wasted no time making their mark, sharing the stage with touring national acts like 36 Crazyfists, Righteous Vendetta, Otherwise, and Vyces. Their hook laden arrangements speak of lost love, lingering hate, constant turmoil, and tribulations of the human condition. In the same breath, their songs will grind and embrace you without apology. This is Heart of Jordan.
XS ROCK: Tell me about the latest band news? Any new projects coming out, live shows or announcements?
Elijah: We just dropped a music video for our banger, “Deaf Ears”. We are releasing another new video for one of our most popular songs, “Echoes Still Remain”, for which we are having a video release party at a venue in our hometown, The Loft. We are currently recording our next single, “The Silence” that will also have its own music video. We are embarking on our first southern tour in March 2020.
XS ROCK: How long has the band been together?
Elijah: The band began its formation in March of 2017. We became a complete band by July of 2017
XS ROCK: What was your main motivation for starting or being in a band?
Elijah: I love playing guitar and songwriting.
XS ROCK: What is your music background?
Elijah: I started playing violin in 5th grade and picked up my first guitar at age 12. I also played horns in middle school and piano in high school. I’ve been in and out of bands for nearly 20 years.
XS ROCK: What image do you think your music conveys?
Elijah: Deep, dark, and emotional
XS ROCK: What are your immediate music career goals? (Next 1 to 3 years.)
Elijah: A National tour, Euro tour, a favorable label deal
XS ROCK: What are your long-term career goals?
Elijah: A sustainable career in music
XS ROCK: Which do you prefer? Writing new songs and recording or playing for a live audience?
Elijah: Writing new songs of course, which allows us to play our music for a live audience!
XS ROCK: What are your songs about? (What specific themes do they cover?)
Elijah: Addiction, mental illness, and toxic relationships
XS ROCK: Do you have any outrageous tour stories from the road?
Elijah: Our singer, Preston, took a nose dive off stage about 1 minute into our opening song at a show in Oklahoma.
XS ROCK: What’s the strangest request that you’ve ever received from one of your fans?
Elijah: A male fan asked us to sign his chest.
XS ROCK: Were your parents supportive of your aspirations to play in a rock band?
Elijah: Yes.
XS ROCK: What are your favorite tracks to play live?
Elijah: Echoes Still Remain, Deaf Ears
XS ROCK: Which band or artist inspired you to perform? Why?
Elijah: Metallica. Because Metallica!
XS ROCK: If you could design a dream tour for your band, who would be on the bill?
Elijah: Wow. Killswitch Engage, Slayer, Nirvana, Pantera, Soundgarden
XS ROCK: What do you consider your greatest accomplishment so far?
Elijah: Getting featured twice on Metal Injection
XS ROCK: If you weren’t performing in a band what kind of career do you think you would have?
Elijah: These days, you really can’t solely rely on being a musician alone. Everyone in the band has full-time jobs at this time.
XS ROCK:What type of equipment do you use for live shows?
Elijah: EVH 5153 head and cab, PRS CE guitars.
Eric: Marshall JCM2000 head, Peavey 5150 cab, Epiphone LPs.
Andrew: Tama drums, Zildjain/Sabian cymbals.
Preston: Shure mics. Alfonso: Ampeg head and cab, Ernie Ball guitars.
XS ROCK: What do you think of the current music scene?
Elijah: It’s clear that metal and rock are making a comeback. I think this is creating a new invigoration to local scenes in the states and abroad.
XS ROCK: For anyone that doesn’t know you, what would they be surprised to know about you?
Elijah: I help emerging bands in my scene get exposure
XS ROCK: If someone had never heard you before, how would you describe your sound?
Elijah: A metalcore foundation with hard rock walls and a hook-laden roof
XS ROCK: Is there anything that you’d like to promote or say to your fans out there?
Elijah: Check us out on social media and stream our music!
XS ROCK: Thanks again for taking the time to talk with us at XS Rock!
Elijah: Thank you for this opportunity!
Heart Of Jordan is:
Preston Mailand – Vocals
Eric TenEyck – Guitar
Elijah White – Guitar
Alfonso Civile – Bass
Andrew Everett – Drums
https://www.facebook.com/heartofjordanband/