Five ways classical music has influenced my pop sound – Jordy Burns

Eora/Sydney-based indie-pop artist Jordy Burns has released her sophomore single, Second Chances. Here, she tells us five ways classical music has influenced her pop sound:

1. Understanding Music

Growing up, I was always drawn to classical music. My mother and I would drive 2 hours every week to my cello lessons and spend the time listening and deconstructing our favourite classical recordings. We’d guess the composer, the era, the piece title and which instrument was playing which parts. It was always a highlight of my week; I loved how it would set the mood for my lessons.

2. Immersion Into the Music

Playing in large ensembles as a teenager was an incredible part of my musical journey.

Sitting amid a 90-piece wind symphony, as the melodies twisted and morphed around me, was a feeling unmatched to this day. Classical musicians are gifted with this experience of playing music that is also being played next to you, in front of you, and beside you. You are a part of something bigger than yourself and feel completely immersed in it.

3. Playing by Ear

For many years, genres of music were separated in my life; classical was classical, musicals were musicals and pop was just that. After moving to Sydney, I found myself in an indie band with my housemate and some friends as the bass (cello) player. I remember asking for the chords, but despite her incredible talent for guitar playing, my singer-songwriter friend didn’t know the chords she was playing. I suddenly realised I didn’t know what to play if I didn’t have the music in front of me. This started my journey of feeling the music within myself (when it wasn’t consuming me in a giant orchestra).

4. Cello in My Writing

It took a few years, but I now play the cello in a way that I never allowed myself to do during my strictly classical days (as I know many classically trained musicians can relate to). I hear music in my head, and I play it. My fingers somehow know where to go without the theory; I just go with the feeling. Even when I try to break it down into chords, I realise my best work comes from stopping to feel the music and exploring what comes out!

5. Instrumentation

Despite coming from a classical background, I have a massive obsession with synths in contemporary music. I think it was a sound that was so unusual to me after so many years of playing acoustic instruments that it’s become a fascination. There are so many possibilities! I love incorporating different synths into my songs.

JORDY BURNS – LIVE SHOW DATES

SAT 6 APR | TOKIO HOTEL, EORA/SYDNEY NSW
SAT 27 APR | BUCKETTY’S BREWING CO, EORA/SYDNEY NSW