An Interview With Jordan Khalaf

A new single release from Jordan Khalaf brings out a wondrous honesty and upright pop-rock presence that hits hard enough to push the envelope and show its edginess but also never loses a certain heart or character that it starts off within the first place and this may be one of the best things about the track.
"Dancing In The Moonlight" is riddled with persona and endless energy that really helps this song gain its drive and power while there is a load of lush harmonies by both guitars and vocals alike giving the song its own atmosphere.
There's something about this track that gives an anthemic feeling as well as a cinematic backbone that shows face throughout the course of the song and the whole thing has such an almost fantastical undertone to it that it just feels great to listen to.
This track definitely has a youthful gusto to it and the way the songwriting is done is very smart because there's a lot happening but the arrangement separates everything so that it has a forward-moving flow and this helps give the song an almost alive and breathing feel.
The single is very radio-friendly and again, boasts a ton of color and an energy that's unstoppable but it's that character that really brings it full circle.
You can clearly hear that Jordan has a pure love for his craft and that's just oozing out of every no plate on this track but he also pays a lot of attention to detail when tracking a song and making sure that this production has a certain kind of polish to it that helps it stay bright.
There are a few layers that can be peeled back throughout the course of the track but it's also pretty straightforward and does have a lot of hooks that stick in your head for hours or even days after the song has ended which in my opinion is just smart songwriting but I think Jordan just does it naturally.
I think this is just how he writes his music and he just has a natural knack for doing it this way.
It's a great sort of blend of old and new school pop-rock soundscapes and vibes as well and I think that had a lot to do with his influences and how some of those influences came through on the track.
You do indeed get hints of this '90s radio rock approach at certain times of the song.
I think this is why it also gives me a little bit of a nostalgic feel at certain times however this track does have a powerful punch to it and with its release we did want to have a sit down with Jordan to find out where it actually came from and what might be coming up next for the artist.
Here's what happened
TSWS: Let's start with "Dancing In The Moonlight"! This song had such a vivacious pop-rock feel and boasted tons of character! How did this release come about?
I wish I had some interesting, elaborate story about this song, but it really was just me wanting to write a fun, pop-rock love song. A lot of the premise of this song is about first love and this kind of crazy, unpredictable energy that comes with it. Falling head over heels for someone and falling for them over and over again. A phrase I used to describe it to my artist and animator is capturing the feeling that you have as a kid, staring up at the night sky, and that bewilderment of the unknown. Love is a lot like that: calm and serene and unpredictable and energetic and beautiful and you never know what you’re going to get. So I think Dancing in the Moonlight tries to capture a lot of that!
TSWS: How did this all start for you as an artist?
Music has definitely been a massive part of who I am for as long as I can remember. I feel like I’ve been singing for as long as I’ve been able to speak, I picked up guitar at about 8 years old, and started writing songs when I had a grasp on a few chords. Those songs are definitely the musings of a 9 year old kid, but that’s the building block to where I am now. As time’s gone on, I’ve learned other instruments and just have always gravitated towards music or performance in general. I went to the University of Michigan and got a degree in theatre and music. Shortly after graduating, I met Chuck and Pearl Sound Studios and released my first EP in 2020. Now we’re releasing the second one!
TSWS: What kind of things really inspire songs for you?
Without trying to sound too existential, really anything and everything. As a general rule, I try to let songs write themselves, meaning I don’t go into a writing session with a lot of preconceived notions about what I’m writing. I usually figure those things out about halfway through writing, and then let that guide the song from there. “Dancing In the Moonlight” is very much a song about love and first love, but I find I’m usually drawn to writing about themes like hope and identity and kind of maneuvering where you are in the world and navigating life. But generally, I just try to let the song dictate the writing.
TSWS: This release has some great approaches to it! Can you give us some of your biggest influences musically?
I listen to so much music and so many different types of music, so that can always change on the day. I think my sonically, I’m influenced a lot by the artists I grew up listening to: Matchbox Twenty, Goo Goo Dolls, Paramore, Alanis Morissette, Green Day, Foo Fighters…a lot of that late 90’s/early 2000’s vibe.
TSWS: What are you doing when you're NOT working on music?
I don’t think most musicians are ever NOT working on music in some capacity. Outside of writing, I also teach at a School of Rock which is an amazing opportunity to both expand my own musical horizons, but also share my passion with students who are so passionate and hungry to learn about it. Watching one of my students nail a part they’ve been struggling on or watching their joy as they progress musically is truly one of the most rewarding feelings.
Outside of that, I love the theatre: plays, musical theatre, cabarets. I love movies and tv shows. Anything in that sphere is really fun and relaxing for me.
TSWS: Who's in your headphones right now?
Honestly, most of what I’m listening to is usually related to classes I’m teaching or songs I’m working with students on in general. Right now, that means a lot of Indie Rock from the past 40 years. I like to make the joke that teaching music has absolutely ruined my Spotify mixes. But when I am listening “for fun”, it tends to be music released by my friends or songs or groups people suggest to me. So it’s eclectic and genre-divergent and not really a stable thing ever. I know that sounds like the biggest non-answer in the world, but it’s absolutely the truth.
TSWS: Are you doing any live performances right now?
I don’t have any live gigs set up at the moment, but who knows what the future holds! I am putting a lot of my efforts into songwriting and producing at the moment. Writing and producing for other artists is something I’ve really wanted to start doing, and I find something so fulfilling in helping other people elevate their songs to their fullest potential.
TSWS: Do you record these at a big studio or do you have a home studio set-up?
All of my songs were/are recorded at the Pearl Sound Studios and mixed, engineered and co-produced by the incredible Chuck Alkazian. I have my own home studio set up that I’ll use for basic demos, but the absolute difference in production value, and the amount I’ve been able to learn working with someone who’s been in the industry for so long is just unrivaled and invaluable. I’m truly lucky to have Chuck and Pearl in my corner.
TSWS: What can your fans expect from you in the near future?
The plan as of right now is to release a second single early next year, and then I’ll be dropping the full EP shortly after that! Other than that, I’m constantly writing, so I’ve got a ton of material I’m excited to get out into the world in some form! Other than that, I’m working on building up a client base to help others write and release music!
TSWS: Before we go, what would you like to say to fans of the music?
Truly, I’m so appreciative for any and all support that I get. That there are people out there who listen to, relate to, or enjoy my music is such a blessing, and I’m so grateful for that. Music is such a core part of who I am, and so being able to share that with the world is absolutely a privilege that I’m only afforded because people care to listen and support that! So thank you from the bottom of my heart.