Interview: Jordan Hunter Hyland

How did this all start, did you grow uploving music, singing. Was this always a dream for you?
From about five years old I was completely convinced I was going to be amusician like The White stripes. Then I hit my teens and realised I wasn'tconfident enough to actually stand up and do it in front of anyone. So I didthe sensible thing and became a doctor.

Who are your inspirations?
I've got an Oasis tattoo and a Black Sabbath tattoo, so those are permanent.Honest answer is Elliott Smith. I named my daughter after him. Her name'sEllie. So that one's fairly permanent as well.
‍
Songwriting sounds like it's been with you a long time, even whilemedicine and bodybuilding took the spotlight. When did it start feeling likesomething you needed to share, rather than keep private?
I don't know if it ever felt likesomething I needed to share. I just kind of ran out of excuses. I'd told myselffor years it was private, but really, I was just scared. And then Ellie came alongand I thought, I can't tell her to be brave about stuff if I'm sitting on ahard drive of songs no one's heard. So here we are.

Bodybuilding and medicine both come with a lot of control and discipline,does writing something as raw as 'Waste' feel like a release from that, or doesthe same discipline show up in how you write?
That’s a good point. I think I tendto gravitate towards chaos and its sort of an outlet for that, it’s a bit of anart to actually keep music “Raw”, modern tech means it’s easy to make it sound“overproduced” or “polished”. and producers tend to make songs radio friendly,which mine is not.

What can you tell us about your new single Waste?
I don’t think it's necessarily a sad song, or a breakup song, I think it’sjust a feeling of being tired, when you gotta move on from feeling guilt andblaming yourself.

Talk to us more about your EP, why was now the right time to release it?
I think I did about 50 songs for it, and over the course of 18 months itevolved into something I was finally happy with, I realised that if the songsounds complete with just an acoustic guitar, then it’s a song I'm happy with.

How do you balance work, bodybuilding and now songwriting?
‍Balanceis not really something I think about, I have to stay busy, or I get really bored.And I wouldn’t say I go to the gym more than three times a week these days, Ihave shrunk.

With the EP landing in September, what's next for you? Is this the start of areal second path alongside medicine and bodybuilding or still finding itsplace?
I would like to go all in on my songs, at least for a few years, and ifpeople like them then I will keep going. I can definitely say it’s a harderchallenge than being a doctor. there is so much uncertainty, and a lot ofwaiting around.

What would your ideal BF burger contain?
Two pineapples.

Sound Check, Vibe Check

What is your go to song to Jam out to in the car? Who feels love by Oasis.

Who is your favourite artist at the moment? I’m taking my daughter to seeNoah Kahan in October, he’s alright.

One thing you can’t perform without? My asthma inhaler

One artist or band you would love to co-lab with? My daughter played thepiano on the chorus on Waste. She's 7. I am waiting for her to get better atthe drums.

Go to BurgerFuel order? Bastard burger is yum

Fire or Backfire?‍

Pickles in burgers - Fire

Crocs - Backfire

Karaoke - Backfire

BurgerFuel Aioli - Fire

Acoustic performances - Fire

NZ Music Month - Backfire

Festivals - Backfire

Singing in the shower - Fire‍

Pineapple on pizza - Fire

Supermarket in bare feet- Fire!!!!

‍

Stay up to date with Jordan HERE and check out his latest release HERE.