Hip-Hop and the music business have been a part of Jordan Barone’s life since he was 10 years old. He used to sit in on his older brother, Stefan Barone’s studio sessions in their home recording studio, as well as Stefan’s street team’s promotional meetings. This instilled in him a desire to record, and Jordan gained knowledge on basic audio engineering. Jordan was also learning classical piano and learning to write his own music. He would eventually collaborate with Stefan to form Red Planet Records, LLC. Jordan Barone boasts a long-played history of experience in all aspects of the music industry. He was an apprentice to Young Guru (engineer to Jay-Z and Beyonce) at Studio La Fabrique in Saint Remy, France. Jordan has also worked at BlastOff Productions as an audio engineer, working with notable artists such as such as A Boogie, PnB Rock, Kehlani, Tory Lanez, Rico Nasty, Raury and more. In addition to writing, recording, and producing, Jordan now acts as Chief Engineer of Red Planet Studios in Staten Island.
Will an extensive resume under his name, I got a chance to talk to the up and coming music star on all things music;
Hi Jordan and welcome to OLC! So for our readers out there describe your sound?
I have coined the term “The Staten Island sound”, which I describe as a singer/songwriter approach to lyrics over Hip-Hop and R&B production.
Are there any artists you grew up listening to that have influenced your sound?
I love classic songwriters like Billy Joel, and how his lyrics can make you feel like you know the people he is describing. My parents were typical “Saturday Night Fever” disco dancers, so I have a lot of that and funk in me, especially in my upcoming production. As far as the new inspiration, Tyler the Creator and his production, Pharrell, Charlie Puth, Sza, and Max Martin.
Tell me about your latest release “Up Tonight”, what event inspired you to write this track?
“Up Tonight” was written after nights in the party scene, and longing for something more out of the ordinary. I was done with “basic” nights, and with a city like NYC, I wanted to experience something uplifting. It was not one particular event, but more of how I imagine an extraordinary evening with someone could be.
Who did you work with on the song?
I laid out the core production of the beat, and VR, another Staten Island artist, freestyled some ideas, which later became the hook. I worked on the verses mostly by myself, and then my brother, Stefan, and I put the finishing touches on the lyrics.
You have experience in all aspects of music, from writing to singing to music production. Which part of the creation process of a song do you love the most?
I definitely work fastest when it comes to making the music. My background in audio engineering definitely helps me achieve a decent sound quick, so this is the most enjoyable. Lyrics take me time to craft, and I usually check in with some people along the way. Singing is cool, but making the beats is something I can do all day.
Was learning and being a part of all these processes something that was really important to you, that your songs represented 100% of you?
Yes, of course. In the beginning, it was just me in a room by myself handling all aspects of a song from inception to creation. It was brutal sometimes but it made me learn a lot and gave me confidence that I could really do it all. Now I work with some other producers and songwriters but I still have my hand in the process to make sure everything comes out great.
“Up Tonight” is from your upcoming EP, what can you tell us about it and when can we expect it to drop?
We will continue to release some singles from the EP this spring and summer, and the EP most likely will be set for the Fall of 2019. Without giving too much away, the EP contains themes of being caught between the city’s bright lights, and the comfort of the hometown outside of the city, almost like torn between two loves.
What aspects of your life do you explore on the EP?
As an audio engineer, I experienced late nights in New York City, working with some of the top artists of today. Having to return home to Staten Island every night/morning, I felt like I was so close to the stardom, yet brought back to reality in a sobering ferry ride back home. The EP represents my love for both.
Who are song artists/albums/songs are currently on your playlist?
Eddy I. is a Staten Island rapper I work with, and genuinely enjoy listening to. Eamon is a legend on Staten Island, and his “Golden Rail Motel” album is still in heavy rotation. To smooth it out, JMSN’s “Velvet” always does it for me, as well as Jorja Smith, especially her “Feb 3rd”. On the pop side, I’ve shamelessly been bumping PRETTYMUCH a lot lately.
When you’re not working on music, what do you enjoy doing to relax and wind down?
I am pretty heavy into film, and love getting deep into different director’s work. David Fincher and Stanley Kubrick are some favorites. I also enjoy a good music documentary here and there (“Hip Hop Evolution” is great). And lately, I’ve been absorbed into Red Dead Redemption II, a video game.
Who is the biggest supporter of your music?
My immediate family has been huge in all of this. My parents allowed my brother and I to reconstruct their garage to house a state-of-the-art recording studio. This is where I do most of my work. My brother is my business partner, and co-founded our independent record label, Red Planet Records. We both work tirelessly at this, so, I can not thank my whole family enough.
What’s next on your agenda?
Next up, we have some shows in Staten Island, New York City, and the tri-state area. For a complete listing, see JordanBarone.com/Events. We are taking a trip back out to Los Angeles, probably some time in April for some shows out there and to work with a few producers. And, the next thing to look out for is the “Lay You Down” cover challenge. We are asking people to cover my next single, “Lay You Down”, and the best one will win a ticket to and studio time in New York CIty. And finally, my EP by the end of 2019!
neillfrazer@hotmail.com
