We had a chat with Toronto based talented singer and songwriter Rochelle Jordan to talk about her recent album, changes and the importance of creating awareness.
Photography by Angie Menze –angiemenze.com
Your new album Play With The Changes is being hyped by your fans as the best album ever. What makes this one different from your previous ones?
There is just a lot of freedom within this album. A wiser and imaginative version of myself compared to my previous works. So much happened in the span of time creating this album. Lots of up and downs but through it all I was leaning into music with excitement and a lust for electronic/dance sounds for my voice to float on, as well as a new mentality in general. Honestly, after being gone for so long, I realize now more than ever that my fans just get me. I couldn’t ask for more, super thankful.
I read that the single ‘Lay’ means the most to you. How do you think you can/should deal with pain as a society in general. Because you also write “I really don’t want to attract these things”?
I believe that words can be spells like how I believe music is a form of magic so with that I understand that projecting fear can bring about the very thing you fear the most when you speak. In a situation where black people are still quietly and loudly being oppressed, killed and used, “Lay” was a personal way of expressing my fear and anxiety behind the danger that comes with being black in a socially unjust society. My hope was for understanding from others – to feel through song what it is to lose a human being that you love to police brutality and pointless violence… And I repeat, a human being.
It took you a long time to make a new album, how long did you work on it?
It took me a solid 5 years to find this album through all the songs I created throughout the years.
“There is just a lot of freedom within this album. A wiser and imaginative version of myself compared to my previous works.”
In another interview I read that you suffer from sickle cell disease. Like you I feel it is important to talk about such things (if someone wants to), because everything is part of being human. What do you want the world to know about it, or in other words, is there something close to your heart that you want to share on the subject?
Sickle cell is an extremely painful health condition I’ve been living with since the age of two years old. I hide it well and try not to complain about it, however I know the importance of creating awareness because this community is in need of more support and for more research to be done. We need more understanding and empathetic health care workers when dealing with this misunderstood and wrongfully stigmatized disease. I know how scary it can be to live with SC, but all in all I just hope to be an inspiration for those who are carrying the weight of an illness that are striving to live their dreams, to know that they’re not alone and that they CAN do it.
Are you currently in love? And how important is love to you?
I am deeply in love and have been for a very long time! Love is everything to me. There is no other feeling like the feeling of being loved unconditionally and this doesn’t just go
for romance… this is about being truly cared for and protected by beautiful souls during this short time spent on earth.
“I’ve realized that life is nothing but obstacles and situations constantly interchanging. Take that how you want to, but I’d rather play with the changes than to resist them. You will lose if you resist change.”
Do you have a pet?
I have two cats, Jupiter and Zeze!
The world is turning faster and faster, and changes are happening faster and faster. Relating to your album title, Play with the Changes, do you think anyway slowing down would do us good?
You’re right when you say the world is turning faster and faster, that is a very literal statement and at the end of the day we don’t have much of a choice but to move with it. When things come tumbling down you need to find a way to get back up. When things are moving up all you can do is try to propel further. I’ve realized that life is nothing but obstacles and situations constantly interchanging. Take that how you want to, but I’d rather play with the changes than to resist them. You will lose if you resist change.
What do you wish for in 2022?
I wish for Covid to be gone and for whatever this new normal is to show itself. I also wish to go on a mega tour.. I guess we’ll see how it all ends up.
