Artist Spotlight is a segment that we started to introduce our listeners to some deserving up and coming artists/bands. They have made an impact on us for all of the right reasons. We think they kick ass and we hope you do too! Today we’d like to shine the spotlight on Mapping The Sky!
We refer to the middle of the country as “The Heartland” for a reason. Defined by a diehard work ethic, a whole lot of humility, and no-nonsense honesty all around, it doubles as America’s beating heart. It makes sense Mapping The Sky frontman and founder Jordin Swanson calls this place home. Born and bred in Norman,Oklahoma,the singer, songwriter, and guitarist plays hypnotic hard rock laced with quotable lyrics and sharp storytelling. He introduces himself to the world with a focused and fiery vision on his 2024 independent debut album, Here And Not Here out in the spring of 2024.
At a young age, he embraced music and never let go. At 14-years-old, he picked up a guitar for the first time. It didn’t take long for him to quietly start penning his own songs. The lead single from Here And Not Here “Get Up Kid” hinges on a head-nodding electric guitar riff, a hypnotic drumbeat sets the tempo. Staring down adversity, he leans into a chantable chorus punctuated by a question, “Do you want to live or die on your knees?” On its heels, “Just Like Me” fuses punchy guitars to a relentless rhythm. During “Here And Not Here,” guitars echo through the verses as he ponders a relationship in a tailspin. Then, there’s “Last Bastion,” tempering distortion and feeling. “There are so many different guitar parts,” he reveals. “I’m showing my grunge influences.” An emotionally charged high register courses through “Home.” It culminates with an anthemic hook. “Fallen Angels” builds towards a moment of stark existential introspection.
In the end, Mapping The Sky delivers identifiable and infectious rock right from the center of the country. To pave the way for the album the band will be releasing a series of songs and videos throughout early 2024. Pre-order Here and Not Here and receive
instant downloads of four album tracks upon their release here: Here And Not Here (orcd.co)
Check out “Get Up Kid,” the new single from Mapping The Sky:
https://open.spotify.com/album/0U5TBIX1VW0fWeJNnuoum0?si=zs3zZiEZTzaVil6VAQz6wg
We sat down for a short, but fun Q & A session with Mapping The Sky frontman and founder Jordin Swanson.
Every superhero and villain have an origin and an artist is not different. Well, minus the radioactive spiders and secret government experiment. What’s the origin of Mapping The Sky?
Jordin Swanson/Mapping The Sky: Mapping The Sky is the result of thousands and thousands of hours spent writing songs in my bedroom alone—apologies to the countless people I’ve annoyed along the way doing it: roommates, my parents, past girlfriends, my current girlfriend, and household pets. I’ve accumulated a lot of material that I want to record, and Mapping The Sky is my vehicle to show my work to the world.
Tell us about your upcoming new album Here And Not Here. What was the writing and recording processes like, where did the name of the LP come from?
The writing process was slow. It took me three years to make the album. I’d record a day or two at a time here and there then go home and write more parts and edit. I drive a lot for work, and so I’d write a lot of things in my head too while driving around to job sites then go and record them, some of them would work, some of them wouldn’t. I loved recording at 115 Recording Studio though and Prairie Sun. I got a lot better over that span of three years, and I’m excited to see what I can do in the future.
The name of the LP came from the stars. At night, they are there. During the day, it appears they aren’t there. They are here and not here. Sometimes, I’m here and not here, too. Maybe, I’m at work but really daydreaming of songs, books, and other art stuff. Maybe, I’m talking to somebody but thinking of something completely different in my head while waiting for the conversation to die. Maybe, I’m going through the motions. I’ve always felt more alive at night, too, and that’s the time I get to work on my art projects.
The first song release from Here And Not Here is “Get Up Kid.” Can you share with us the inspiration for the song?
“Get Up Kid” is about dealing with adversity even when politicians, circumstances, money, or other factors stand in your way. It’s better—if you can—to get up when you’re knocked down then to just complain about your situation without actively trying to change it.
Mapping The Sky is from the Oklahoma City area. Do you feel like the local culture has impacted your music or sound and if so in what ways?
There is a deep appreciation for folk and country music in Oklahoma. I sometimes find myself writing folk songs without trying to. There are about four B sides to the album that are folk and country songs. Sometimes, I find myself approaching Rock N Roll songs with the lyrical content of a folk song. My home state permeates through me in ways that are hard to define. It definitely affects my approach to writing alternative rock.
Here And Not Here is your debut album. How would you describe the music that you have created?
It’s soft, aggressive, sane, and bat-shit crazy. It’s whatever I feel like. I do what feels natural in the moment.
When were you bit by the music bug and how has music, your own and from other artists, impacted you?
I fell in love with music in middle school. The most important band for me was The Clash. My best friend’s brother had a cassette get stuck in his car’s radio. It was all we listened to for a year while we drove back and forth to school, sports, and social events. He was the only one of my friends at the time who had a car, so there wasn’t a choice. It was either listen to The Clash or nothing. Luckily, The Clash never gets old so we listened and listened.
Music has always been like a supportive friend. If I feel the need to create and express my emotions, I turn to music. If I’m feeling sad, I like to listen to sad songs. When I feel happy, I like listening to happy songs. When I need a pick me up, I like listening to loud, aggressive songs. I can’t imagine my life without music.
If you could put together a fantasy all-star jam to perform with, who would you pick? They can still be with us or not.
David Bowie, Iggy Pop, and T. Rex would be a fun group! There are a lot of musicians I’d like to jam with though. Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen would be some other ones that would be on the top of the list.
If the songs on Here And Not Here were a cocktail, what would be in it?
Sugar, Spice, and dynamite.
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