What the Tornado Left Behind: Jordie Lane on Songwriting, Mental Health & Why Getting a Rescue Dog was His Smartest Move | MCP #220

Jordie Lane on Artistry, Resilience & Reinventing the Indie Music Scene. In this episode of The Morse Code Podcast, host Korby Lenker sits down with the Australian-born Nashville-residing singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Jordie Lane.

Together they explore the raw realities of making a life in independent music, the necessity of artistic reinvention, and the relentless pursuit of creative authenticity. Jordie shares candid insights on navigating the ever-evolving industry, the emotional and financial struggles of being a full-time musician, and how personal reinvention is key to staying inspired.

From songwriting secrets to tour life stories plucked from his dozen plus years as a road-dogging tourbadour, this conversation is a must-watch for musicians, songwriters, and anyone who believes in the power of storytelling through music.

00:00:00 Intro

00:04:53 The contrast between outward appearances and inward reality

00:06:04 The concept behind "Tropical Depression"

00:08:14 The pandemic's impact on Jordie's mental health

00:10:10 How not being able to travel can increase anxiety

00:11:25 Jordie's decision to make his struggles with anxiety a part of his "official" album rollout

00:12:58 Korby's take on the podcast space as a reflection of culture's demaan for authenticity

00:14:43 Jumping on the authenticity train is also possibly inauthentic

00:16:01 Timeline of the album's creation and release

00:19:05 How did you finance your record Jordie?

00:20:32 Getting in and out of your own way as an artist

00:23:43 Korby's recollection of filming Jordie's video for "The Changing Weather"

00:23:59 The fundemental tension between confidence and its opposite

00:25:04 Getting pooped on as a new dad

00:26:17 Korby use of music as a means of trying to be loved

00:27:42 The imprtance of being in a good headspace to making art

00:30:12 Korby quotes Leonard Berstein's newborn baby quote

00:31:12 Dostoyevsky's claim that in order to make art you have to be both sensitive and in pain

00:33:11 Jordie's perspective on working in film and tv

00:36:04 The fraught romance of touring

00:38:01 The importance of low overhead to creative freedom

00:39:18 Jordie loves the improvised element of on stage banter

00:40:43 Jordie's advice to Korby about banter with a full band

00:42:55 A sudden glimpse into Korby's organizational efforts

00:44:03 The necessary discipline of a self-employed artist

00:48:20 Why Jordie got a shelter dog

00:51:13 The "42 Steps" of making the podcast

00:52:37 Jordie sets up "Empty Room"

00:53:42 Jordie and Korby perform "Empty Room"

00:58:03 A compliment and an inquiry

00:59:51 Jordie's current process for writing songs

01:01:35 Co-writing and trepidation

01:02:15 How Maya Angelou and John Prine write

01:02:56 More detail on Jordie's "waiting" approach to songwriting

01:05:11 What seperates those who create from those who don't

01:06:06 How Meet Me at the End of the World was written

01:07:53 The process of writing is more important than the end result

01:09:20 Suddenly Jordie and Korby are going to try to write one

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