Sydney-based artist Jordan Laser is carving out her own space in the alt-pop landscape, where vulnerability meets cinematic soundscapes. With her new single Holiday—the second track from her upcoming EP—Laser leans into themes of longing, solitude, and escape. In conversation, Laser speaks with the same quiet boldness that threads through her music, offering a glimpse into the emotional core of her art.
Your songs often feel like they exist in a world of their own – cinematic and intimate. When you sit down to write, do you start with imagery, a feeling, or a sound?
That’s really nice to hear. I usually start by trying to find a good melody. Then it’s a lot of playing around with words that feel good to sing, even if they don’t make sense. I’m constantly digging through old voice memos, trying to piece something together. I’ve never been able to write a whole song at once, so it often feels more like assembling a jigsaw puzzle than this effortless process.
Mentorship from Jim Moginie and Rob Hirst from Midnight Oil at such a young age must have been formative. What’s the biggest lesson from that experience that still guides you today?
They really nurtured and encouraged my authenticity. I had quite a fragile voice, it wasn’t this big belting instrument, and they helped me lean into that fragility and embrace it. There was no chasing trends or trying to sound like anyone else and I think that was a really important starting place.
‘Holiday’ explores the tension between being someone’s escape and being someone’s choice. How do you navigate turning something so personal into something you’re willing to share publicly?
I try not to think about that part of it because then I start worrying about how something will be perceived instead of just focusing on the process. Sharing songs is not the most comfortable feeling in the world. You’re essentially offering up these often unprocessed parts of yourself to be judged. But not doing it feels worse so there’s the answer.
There’s a lineage in your work that draws on artists like Lykke Li and Mazzy Star – artists who sit between strength and fragility. Who else has shaped your sound or approach to storytelling?
Oh there’s so many. For lyrics and storytelling I’ve always been inspired by songwriters like Leonard Cohen, Paul Kelly and Fiona Apple. Sound wise, I always return to Kate Bush, Massive Attack, Cocteau Twins and Lana Del Rey. I’ve always been drawn to really moody, cinematic production but at the end of the day I just love a beautiful melody.
As an independent artist who has self-produced much of your music, how do you balance creative control with the vulnerability of letting other collaborators into your process?
I feel like I’m pretty comfortable being vulnerable in that way. I’m also a very amateur producer so I welcome collaboration. All of my songs have been co-produced with friends and I love it. Working with others helps me get out of the way of myself.
Do you remember the moment when music stopped being just something you loved and became something you knew you had to do?
I think music has always been a necessity in some way. When I go through periods of not making anything, whether it’s songs or paintings, I start to feel off. I’ll get restless or resentful or a bit depressed. I love this Elisabeth Gilbert quote about creativity that “if you’re not expressing it, it’ll start expressing you and often in ways you won’t enjoy”.
Do you think songwriting has taught you more about yourself, or about other people?
Songwriting has always felt like a form of self-examination. I see it as a wonderful way of trying to make sense of things that I don’t yet understand whether that be about myself or others.
Looking ahead to your upcoming EP, is there a song on it that feels like a turning point for you – either personally or creatively? What makes that track stand out?
I’m not sure if there’s one standout. I’ve heard them too many times to know. Each song is just a little snapshot of a moment in my life that’s passed. When I listen to them now I hear things I like and don’t like and then just want to change it all. I need to let go.
Watch, stream and download Holiday HERE.
