SXSW 2012

Music had always proved to be a huge influence in young Tom Jordan’s life, while classmates were still listening to playground tunes Jordan had a mature ear, captivated by the tunes of AC/DC. Tom was influenced to grow his hair long and determined to one day acquire the ability to play the guitar like Angus Young. From buying his first album to writing and recording music of his own, this 18- year-old recording artist has proved music doesn’t have an age requirement and talent comes to those with passion and determination. As a young singer, Tom first began solo performances busking on Sydney’s Northern Beaches when he was nine. At ten years old he was invited to participate in the 2004 Manly Youth Busking By The Sea Competition. He went on to win that competition in the under 13 division and then the open division of National Busking Competition both that year and subsequently in 2005. His songwriting career began at the tender age of 11 when he wrote a song in 6th grade class called “Back Home.” Tom says “it was about going shopping with Mum and not wanting to be there.” His dislike of shopping aside, the song won him awards for original composition in the Music and Arts Talent Search Teen Writers competition in early 2005. By 2007 Tom was touring with Guy Sebastian on his national tours playing sold out shows all over Australia. He also played a series of shows with Diesel at the Vanguard in Sydney. Other notable gigs include performing as the pre-match entertainment for a Sea Eagles home game in 2006 in front of a 17,000 strong crowd, the Rip Curl Pro Music Festival at Bell’s Beach, Layne Beachley’s annual gala charity event for the Layne Beachley Foundation with INXS and various high profile events during Australian Fashion Week 2006. Quite a storied career for one so young and yet it doesn’t stop there. Tom has also honed his presenting and acting skills through projects for Disney, Channel 7’s Sydney Weekender and a brand new Disney series called “As the Bell Rings” for which Tom wrote the songs he will perform as part of the show. Tom describes his sound as “a mixture between Jason Mraz and John Mayer. I'm happy with my sound on the new album as it isn't the usual stereotypical 18-year-old pop sound. I'm really trying to prove that I appreciate true music. There is a lot of acoustic sound on the album. It was all recorded live so it has a very organic / natural feel to it."