Striking Back

November 04, 2009

Jordan Thompson graduated from Prosser High School in 2001, and now he’s getting ready to strike back, with music!

Thompson is the founding member of the group, Striking Back, based in Seattle, and they are ready to rock and roll with the release of their new album. As a singer/songwriter, Thompson can now follow his musical muse, and Striking Back is the creative vehicle that he has been searching for, so he can record and play exactly what he feels.

Thompson is proud of his Prosser roots, and his Mustang Pride!

“I played football for part of my junior year, but never played a varsity game. Coach Moore thought I was a punk — I was a ‘known skateboarder.’ I suppose he was kind of right. Other than that, I was an honors and AP student. I was in National Honor society (Mrs. Warriner played a big role in me realizing my mental and artistic potential — made me realize I had some special talents). I was also the senior editor in yearbook, which is uber nerdy!” he said. Not only that, but his roots are deep at the Prosser Record-Bulletin, as Thompson also worked as a student writer for the newspaper.

His interest in songwriting came from a unique inspiration.

“One of the biggest inspirations for me to start playing music was the soundtrack of the Robin Hood movie that came out in 1991 (when I was in first grade). I was entranced by the romance of the movie. I would lie in my bed every night and scream/sing “Everything I Do” by Bryan Adams. It would drive my family nuts. But at that point, I started writing my own songs. I didn’t know any instruments at the time, so I’d just sing them,” said Thompson.

“I started playing classical piano in second grade to impress a girl. I got bored with the classical training after a couple of years, and instead focused on writing my own music (I was probably about 9). I got the girl, but I changed schools like eight times throughout my education, so I never made any close friends until high school. Music was my outlet.”

Songwriting soon became a passion of Thompson’s.

“It was my bandmates in “Altercate” (the first band I was in, based out of Prosser) and friends who really pushed me to write harder and focus on music. It was the first shows we put on in Prosser that made me realize how much I love being on stage,” he continued.

Now that Thompson has a taste of the big city lights and recording studios, Prosser will always have a special place in his heart.

“I was jerked from school to school a lot when I was young, and Prosser was the first place I made friends my age—many of them are still my best friends today. Also, it’s where I really started to focus on writing music (when I was about 14). So, it’ll always hold a special place in my heart, and had a profound effect on who I am; but the richer culture and opportunity will keep me in the city. New York and/or Los Angeles are definitely an option,” he explained.

Even if you have all the right musical elements in place for a great song, or album in this case, it all comes down to the band’s talent, and the expertise of those in the recording studio responsible for the mixing and magic to produce the final product. In this case, Thompson has teamed up with two of the top producers and arrangers in the business, and both are no strangers to chart success.

Producer Jim Wirt produced Striking Back’s debut album. Producer and studio musician, Wirt (Incubus, Hoobastank, Live, Jack’s Mannequin) is teamed up with fellow musician, friend and arranger Patrick Warren (Rob Thomas, Kate Voegele, Bruce Springsteen, Avril Lavigne) to collaborate on the debut album.

To keep up with Jordan Thompson and his career, visit his website at www.strikingbackmusic.com. - Mike Marino, Prosser Record Bulletin

September 24, 2009

Jordan Thompson has been striving to have his music heard for the past decade. Although he spent this time moving through different bands and musical ventures, the thoughts he wanted to convey didn't always match the music he was supposed to be playing. His voice was hidden.

But his latest project, which he calls Striking Back, has changed this status. Finally, the passion of this talented artist has taken its spot in the forefront of his own music, allowing him to show his fervor and vision and share his soul through his music.
Thompson, a Gonzaga alumnus and self-described die-hard basketball fan, has spent 10 years honing his musical skills and bouncing from one project to another.

"For me, it's not really a decision," he said of his music. "It's what my body tells me to do."

However, for those 10 years Thompson's music was not a true display of his emotion. Often the songs he wrote were not the type of music required by the band he was playing in, and Thompson's emotion went unheard.

Earlier this year, however, Thompson finally broke into the independent music scene with Striking Back. As the name suggests, Striking Back is about striking back against society and ultimately getting independence.

"I wanted to do it completely myself," Thompson said.
The origins of Striking Back stem from Thompson's days as a student at Gonzaga. After his band opened for the group Something Corporate, a piano driven pop-punk band out of California, Thompson spent some time with Andrew McMahon, then the producer for Something Corporate and Jack's Mannequin. It was a conversation with McMahon that put Thompson in contact with Jim Wirt, a producer and studio musician, and with this, the process was begun. Thompson began moving toward his eventual place as the heart and soul of Striking Back.

Much of the music heard in Striking Back's debut album is the music that went unheard in Thompson's early career.
"They come from a long time span," Thompson said. His creations range from his freshman year of college to only a couple weeks before recording.

Thompson teams with Wirt, producer for Striking Back and other bands including Incubus, Hoobastank and Live, and fellow musician and arranger Patrick Warren, who has worked with such notable names as Avril Lavigne, Bruce Springsteen and Rob Thomas. Thompson takes his original songs, adds acoustic guitar, and fills in the background with a full orchestra complete with more guitars, cellos, drums, pianos and keyboards. The effect, to say the least, is dramatic.

A unique brand of alternative rock, Thompson's music is contemplative, compelling and soulful. Though it undoubtedly has attributes of the pop scene, it has a unique outlook independent of popular culture. His style defies classification, taking cues from classical composers, pop-punk icons and post-grunge musicians, all in one record. Thompson's voice can best be described as a more-subtle, more adaptable Patrick Stump, and is passionate and enchanting.

"There is a passion in his voice that is unique and compelling," Wirt said. "This is something that can only be achieved when your art speaks from your very soul."

Although his original lyrics are important and tell a graceful and captivating tale, the lyrical presence and musical grace of the song as a whole is entrancing. The heart of this artist, hidden for years, finally coalesces in beautiful music.

And that is what Striking Back is: it is about not letting anything take you down, "whether it be cultural expectations," or anything else, as Thompson pointed out.

With recording completed Sept. 18, the project was finalized earlier this week. A tour is in the planning process, as well as gigs at various locations throughout Washington and the surrounding area. A limited edition EP (with the first five of Thompson's songs) is available at Striking Back shows, and a full record is due later this year (I-Tunes, Amazon, Brick and Mortar Stores). Finally, after 10 years of forgone music, Thompson is releasing his art to the world.
For more information on Striking Back, visit www.myspace.com/strikingbackmusic. - Michael Gerbec, Gonzaga Bulletin

September 09, 2009

Singer -Songwriter Jordan Thompson is about to tip the balanced scales of his former life and plunge into the world of celebrity headfirst…. potentially. After hearing a few clips from his new project, Striking Back, you are sure you have heard him before, on the radio in your car, at the local coffee grinder, at your favorite shop at the mall.
The sound is vaguely familiar, yet new.
With a new CD being recorded by award winning producer Jim Wirt in his southern California studio this month, Thompson’s music is targeted to hit the streets sometime this winter. It’s not a jump to say by summer the cool kids will be pumping it in their hybrids.

Can you give us a brief breakdown of Striking back? The music, the creation, the sound?

In a lot of ways, Striking Back is the band I’ve always wanted to be in—the music I’ve always wanted to make. That’s actually what the name means (for me)—I’m “striking back” against all the elements of my life that have prevented me from making music the way I want to make it. As for the sound itself, I can only say that is the most honest music I’ve written—because there are no hidden agendas or styles I’m trying to satisfy.

What/Who are your influences?

Biggest influences are Michael Jackson, Bryan Adams, Silverchair, the Beatles, and Nirvana.

You are traveling to LA in September to record with the producer Jim Wirt who is famous for recording Incubus, Live, Jack’s Mannequin, and scores of others. Of all of the top producers that you could have gone with, what made you chose Wirt over the others?

There are a lot of elements that led me to Jim. To start, they are providing me with a condo on the beach in Santa Monica while I’m recording. I am a little bit of a party animal, and I love meeting new people. I’m pretty excited about making this whole thing an “experience.”

In all seriousness, though, Jim has worked with some of my favorite artists over the years—from Incubus to Jack’s Mannequin, and it just feels like he has what it takes to make me realize the potential of these songs. I’ve talked to many people that have worked with him—and he has a fab reputation as a great and talented guy to work with. The additional of Patrick Warren on arrangements is also a factor.

Right now, you comprise the entirety of Striking Back. Which instruments will you be playing on the album?

I’ll be singing, playing guitar, and playing piano on this record. I might try my hand at a little bit of Jew’s harp, as well.

How are you choosing other musicians to record on the new album, and what qualifications do these artist have that made you confident that they would give you the sound that you are looking for?

Honestly, I’m letting Jim and Patrick handle that part—I trust them completely.

What are the advantages of being a solo artist over being one part of a band?

Haha, less drama! I’ve always tried to act like I’m “all business” about my music, but my love for my bandmates/friends always took over. Every project I’ve been in has ended in a little bit of drama where I’ve either kicked everyone out or everyone quit because I wasn’t satisfied with the level of dedication or talent that was being brought to the table. It gets dicey when these people are your friends. I’m still good friends with most of the musicians I’ve worked with, but there is an underlying bitterness that takes a long time to go away. Plus, there’s only room for one ridiculously giant ego in my band—and I reserve that spot for myself.

When the new album is complete you will be touring to promote it? Will Striking Back then become a full band, or do you intend to simply hire musicians to play shows with you?

Yes. (To the touring question.) My fantastic management agency is working on touring elements as we speak. I’ll start by hiring musicians, but the hope is to settle on a permanent band ASAP. Nothing is better than jamming with musicians you are clicking with.

How will you go about choosing the musicians that will accompany you when you do tour? Will you be holding auditions, or do you already have specific artists in mind?

It will be a combination of things. I will hold auditions and put my feelers out to see who is available and interested, but definitely have friends and musicians that are available to play if I need them.

What is the new music about, the theme of the album?

The assortment of songs is written over a 10-year span—many of them pop/rock songs that didn’t fit into previous projects (where we were going for a certain sound). It’s kind of fun, because I wrote “Hypnotized” when I was 14, “Restless” when I was 20, and “Dark Day Afternoon” recently (and I’m 26). This first record is going to reveal a lot about who I am and who I’ve been.

My songs are usually about one of these things:

1. A lingering feeling that I need music to express.
For example, “Restless” is all about my constant restlessness with life and my constant need to be stimulated—and also a nagging dissatisfaction with life.

2. A complicated life situation.
For example, “Dark Day Afternoon” is about the fact that I always try so hard to be a “good person” and do the right thing, but sometimes I feel like I’m just on a destructive path and I bring the people that I love down with me.

3. Small experiences that define me.
For example, “Hypnotized” is about initial infatuations. When you meet someone new who sweeps you off your feet a little bit (and I think that’s possible to happen within seconds of meeting someone), it can be one of the most elating feelings in life. Sadly, it usually doesn’t last very long. - ForTheSound.com