Listen Here – Out Now!
Merseyside-born singer/songwriter Stephen Jordan released his deeply personal album ‘9th Gate Dream‘ on the 7th July, 2025. This raw, introspective work, crafted in the solitude of his home studio, channels the weight of a prolonged illness into a poignant exploration. With every note and lyric, Jordan invites listeners into his world, projecting empathy and authenticity through his singular voice.
The album, a solo endeavor recorded using a Boss virtual 4-track and Cakewalk DAW, captures Jordan’s unfiltered essence as a singer/songwriter. Stripped of collaborators or high-profile producers, 9th Gate Dream is a testament to his resilience and creative vision. The music reflects his current headspace, a meditation on life’s fragility and the urgency to leave something meaningful behind. While Jordan humbly questions whether the album boasts a unique production element, its lo-fi, homegrown quality lends it an intimate, almost confessional feel.
Stephen Jordan’s musical journey began in childhood, sparked by watching his father strum the guitar. A former chef who balanced culinary work with songwriting and band gigs, Jordan’s love for music drives him. He describes the process as magical: melodies that emerge from nowhere, lyrics that chart a journey, and the alchemy of recording. Influenced by the soulful innovation of Arthur Lee, the emotional depth of Nina Simone, and the folk intimacy of John Martyn, Jordan carves out a sound that’s distinctly his own within the singer/songwriter genre.
His career has seen moments of recognition, from airplay on BBC Introducing for his song What’s the Name of This Town to reaching the finals of this year’s USA Song of the Year with Waiting for the Train. Back in Liverpool, he shared stages with John Thackray, nephew of the legendary Jake Thackray. Jordan’s individuality shines through in his approach, shaped by personal experiences like witnessing his friend, New York beat poet Max Shwartz, freestyle raw emotion straight from the heart.
Influences
Arthur Lee, Nina Simone and John Martyn
