[Photo credit: SMACK Photography]
Formerly of the pop-synth outfit Diary of Snow, Jordan LaFaver establishes himself as Maine’s premier R&B artist with even bigger goals. Channeling the best of today’s trap, pop and soul sounds, LaFaver is a must-have for your next party playlist
www.facebook.com/jordanlafaver
www.youtube.com/snowboundrecords
www.instagram.com/diayofsnow
www.twiter.com/thatboyginge
Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?
I grew up in a small town called Presque Isle, Maine. I started playing the piano by ear when I was around 3 years old and fell in love with music as a whole. I grew up listening (ironically) to mostly Christian rock bands like Skillet and Relient K, and as I got older I wanted to be a keyboardist in a punk rock band. The problem with this was I couldn’t find a band to join or literally any other musicians in my area to take part in my journey, so when I was 13 I built myself a tiny studio in my dad’s office in our basement and started writing my own music. I was in a dark place at this time in my life and I wrote music to escape my own thoughts. I actually hated the idea of being a singer, but since I couldn’t find one I tried to teach myself how to sing. I put out some demos and covers on Myspace and eventually started a two-person band with a girl from New York, which was moderately successful at the time. I remember receiving a message from a complete stranger who said our music saved her life, and that was when I knew I had a responsibility to help people. My bandmate and I had a falling out, and in 2011 I brought on my best friend Erik Mason to join my new project called Diary of Snow as a co-writer and producer.
After seeing success with our debut album in 2013, I realized as much as I loved our band, I wanted to reach into different markets. I had built an identity and direction for the band that was creatively driving me into a corner I saw no easy way out of. I had always loved R&B and desperately wanted to know if I could make it in that genre, so I took a risk and put my band on hiatus to start a solo career under my own name. I kept Erik on as my producer, but brought in other producers and beat makers to help me craft a sound and identity for myself. 4 years later, I think it’s the best decision I’ve made in my career. Since going solo I’ve really discovered myself not only as an artist but as Jordan LaFaver the person. I like who I’m becoming and I’m excited to bring everyone on this journey with me.
Exposed Vocals: Since everyone was a start-up once, can you give any smaller or local bands or artists looking to get gigs and airplay some tips?
The one thing I always stress to new artists is to be aware that they need to invest in themselves, especially financially. Making music is easy, making music that sounds good and gets noticed is hard. Sure, there are stand-outs like Justin Bieber who get famous from a video or cover that goes viral, but for most artists you need to spend money to record high quality music, and then more money to promote it.
Music is an expensive hobby and even more expensive as a career; don’t expect to get a record deal off a demo you recorded on your phone. I completely understand not everyone can fund their own gear and hire producers and engineers, but if you truly want to make it in this industry invest what you can! I promise it’s worth it, and people will notice.
The other most crucial thing is to maintain a positive and ongoing relationship with your fans and supporters. No matter who you’re talking to; fans, promoters, managers, radio stations, be polite and grateful for the service they’re providing you. Your fans are the ones buying your product; you owe them credit for any success you achieve. They’re obligated to turn on you if you forget that and take their business elsewhere, and you have no right to blame them. Treat everyone with the respect they’ve earned.
Exposed Vocals: Do you tour?
I haven’t toured since 2011, but as soon as I finish this album that’s certainly on the list. I haven’t had enough songs as a solo artist yet to perform, but I definitely have the content now. I’m going to look into that for 2019. People close to me have been pushing me to do it since the last one, and especially since I’ve gone solo and my sound fits better into the mainstream. The hard part is still being 100% self-funded, it would be difficult to afford to tour. I actually had to leave the 2011 tour because I ran out of money, so it’s something I would need to more carefully plan this time around.
Exposed Vocals: Any planned studio upgrades? What are you working with now?
I plan to completely re-do my studio as soon as the album is finished. I don’t want to start a big upgrade right in the middle of the production process, mostly because I’ve had things go wrong and lost a lot of work due to computer problems in the past few years. Right now I’m recording on a Rode NT2A, using a Scarlett 2i2 as my interface, a Mac Pro as my workstation and M-audio BX5s as monitors. I’d love to get a newer Mac and some higher-end monitors as soon as I finish the record. I may get a better mic but I’m for sure staying with Rode.
Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?
By far the best method of promotion is social media engagement. I have a great relationship with my fans, a lot of whom are good friends of mine. I send out new (and even unreleased) music to people who support me and have shown a willingness to help, and they’ll usually show their friends and so on until people I don’t know become fans. If you don’t maintain and relationship and stay unconditionally grateful to your fans and support team, you simply don’t deserve to make it. Even though I still work a day job, these are the people who I consider are putting food on the table for me. They’re everything, and everything I do is for them.
Exposed Vocals: If you could perform anywhere and with any artists (Dead or Alive) where and who would it be with? Why?
I would love to perform with Pierce The Veil or Drake. I know they’re two completely different entities, but both of them have paved the way for me as a musician. Drake’s album Take Care was what really motived me to pursue music more aggressively than ever. Something about the track Marvin’s Room really resonated with me, and is still a blueprint for me when I make breakup songs today. As far as Pierce The Veil, I fell in love the moment I heard Caraphernelia. In 2015 while I was visiting Los Angeles, I got “I’ll be the fire that’ll catch you” tattooed on my left arm, which is the hook of that song. Something about their lyrics connects with me on a very deep level; especially the songs regarding depression. I’ve struggled with depression my entire life, and that song brought me out of a very dark place.
Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?
My debut album is finally being released this year! I’ve been working on it since I went solo way back in 2014. I’ve changed my style probably four times since then trying to really figure myself out as an artist, and I finally nailed down a direction and stuck with it. I recorded maybe close to 200 songs over four years and I’ve really found my voice through that process; discovering what I’m good at and constantly challenging myself to get out of my comfort zone. I consider my first two singles, Lipstick Stains and Salem, to be tests. Real is an actual single off my debut album, and I’m really proud of it. I think it’s the first track I’ve made that fully represents what I can do.
Unfortunately, during the 4 year creation process I got overzealous and falsely announced the release predictions a number of times. In 2015 I said the album would come out the following year, then again in 2017. I definitely had the content ready, but I vastly underestimated how much it takes financially to do this the right way. It’s not cheap, and my listeners deserve a polished product. I also have an EP in the works I think I’m going to drop in 2019.
Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?
I’ve been in manufacturing for the last 7 years and I make a good living doing so, so I’d probably still be doing that. I view it as my day job and a good way of funding my music, which I consider my career. My goal, like most other serious artists is to be living off music alone, but I know that will take time. I’m very excited to see what happens once my album drops! No matter what role I play, whether it be artist, producer, writer or anything in between I’ll always have a job in the music industry. In the past I’ve also looked into working for the FBI, or becoming a game designer. I’ve had a million dreams and aspirations, but music will always be home for me.
Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in the next year or so?
Aside from the major album, there are so many songs that didn’t make the cut on this one so there definitely won’t be a shortage of new music starting this year. I’m also very excited to shoot my first music video and maybe become more active on YouTube. I’ve put a lot of exciting plans on hold to really focus on this album for the last three years, so once it finally comes out I’ll be freed up to make all kinds of new content. I’ve got no shortage of ideas and I can’t wait to get started!
Exposed Vocals: Any Shout-outs?
I definitely have to shout out my producer and best friend Erik Mason, who’s been the reason for my success for the last 8 years; his talent is second to none in the game right now. I have to also give credit to my incredible girlfriend Shannon, my parents who’ve always supported my goals, and my brothers Ty and Will. Keep a look out for my talented friend Cerebral and my friend’s band Aggressive Youth this year!
