Jordan Kolton

“Writing songs isn’t the challenge,” explains Jordan Kolton, “It’s living the kind of life that makes me want to sing about it.” Judging by his music, he has done just that.

Jordan, currently a resident of Portland Oregon, writes songs about anything from road trips to the end of the world. His lyrics have been compared to David Gray’s and Bob Dylan’s – graphic, layered, and intelligent. Musically, his style is part James Taylor, part Ben Harper – smooth, rich vocals driven by rhythmic and textured guitar.

“When the Hammer Drops” is Jordan’s debut solo album. With 11 all-original songs, “When the Hammer Drops” ranges from up-tempo, electric rock in ‘Hanging By a Thread’ to sexy funk in ‘Nature of the Breed’ to simple, sad balladry in ‘Another Place Called Home.’ It ends with the title track, a lush and haunting lullaby of apocalypse and redemption. Backed by a tight core of acoustic guitar, drum kit and double-bass, the album also features percussion, National slide guitar, electric guitar, electric bass guitar, harmonium and female and male backing vocals.

Jordan is experienced on stage and in the studio. He has toured the U.S. with Tangled Up in Blue (TUiB), acting as musical director and guitar accompanist for the twenty-member folk-singing ensemble. More recently, he has toured the American Northwest with Childproof, a rock band for which Jordan was guitarist, singer and writer/arranger. He co-produced both TUiB’s “Struggle for a Goat” and Childproof’s “Evicted From the Birdhouse,” and has numerous album credits as a producer, engineer, writer, guitarist and vocalist.

After the completion of “When the Hammer Drops,” Jordan promoted it with a solo concert tour of Italy. Back in the States, he is developing the Jordan Kolton Band, as well as continuing to perform solo. His live show is an exciting blend of originals and covers, humor and heart, and a knack for getting the crowd involved.