Meet Jordan, You May Know Him as #JORO.
Photo Credit:David Iliyn, David James Visuals
Tell me your story.
I am a God fearing, left handed right-minded thinking, creative, amiable, lovable person who enjoys a good pint. I was born and raised for the most part in the lovely state in which I’m far too proud to be a part of, Oregon. I grew up playing sports and doing a lot of outdoor activities with my family. I owe my love for the outdoors to my parents. There is nothing more humbling than a snow-covered mountain or more beautiful than a sun kissed ocean. Despite the fact that I was shy as a kid I found an outlet through middle school drama to release my inner artiste. Being a part of drama class I got more connected to my artistic side and started playing the guitar everyday. I was always interested in the guitar though, because of my father. He had an acoustic guitar when my brother and I were growing up, and we used to pluck the strings while he would form a chord. I remember the night I knew I wanted to play the guitar for the rest of my life. I was half asleep on my couch, and my dad was sitting on the ground next to me playing all the old songs he knew. As I listened, I knew that this “music” thing is more than just music. It can connect us with each other’s souls. It can lift people up and bring people together. It’s something that is so intangible, yet we have the power to create it. At the same time I started playing the guitar, my best friend started playing the drums, and the rest is history, as they say. We have been in and out of the same bands for 10 years before starting Find Your Smile in 2010, which my brother and his brother are apart of. If I’ve learned anything from growing up it’s that life does not slow down. In fact, it gets busier. But you have a choice of making it better or worse. I am blessed. Life has been generous to me.
Passions? {you say my sister and I’ll kill you]
Music. It’s an artistic expression of life. My heart skips a beat when I see a performance of someone pouring out their soul through their instrument or voice. That’s just it though; there is something more to music than just music. It’s connected to our lives. It’s connected to our souls. Music can either mask the truth or be the truth. I strive for the latter.
Learning?
God is teaching me about community. It’s funny when people say they don’t like people. I hope they realize they’re people too. When I think someone is hard to love or difficult to even be around I try to remember I’m not so easy to love sometimes too. I recently read the book “Screwtape Letters,” which is chalk full of wisdom about community. In one of the parts it talks about how the closer we get to one another the quicker we snap or get annoyed of each other. I hate that we get so frustrated with the ones we love. Why is that? I’m learning how to deal with how to love a person even when the love seems far away. I’m learning that “feelings” are just feelings and they can sway like the wind. I’m learning community is something we need. No one can deal with life on their own. Nor should they, it’s too freaking hard and confusing sometimes.
Art and Community?
Art and community go hand in hand like chocolate and wine. Both are fantastic by themselves, but when together they are amazing. Unless, it’s like white chocolate and a gross fruity wine then it doesn’t pair so well. There is art that can enhance the community and there is art that can destroy community. If we all need community then why not make it better with art that creates joy within the community.
Randoms.
Top 5 films: Oceans Eleven, Finding Forester, Almost Famous, …Free Willy, Notting HIll
Top 5 albums: This is difficult. It will change every time I try to answer this. Any Beatles album, The Head and Heart by The Head and The Heart, A Charlie Brown Christmas, Classic Sinatra, Emotionalism by Avett Brothers, The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan, Garden State soundtrack and Finding Forester’s soundtrack, and Almost Famous’s soundtrack…blast this is difficult. How I Got Over by The Roots, Light Grenades Incubus or really any Incubus album, Parachutes by Coldplay probably for nostalgia, Physical Graffitii by Led Zeppelin, The Reckoning by NEEDTOBREATH…okay I’m done for now
Top 5 books: A million miles in a thousand years Donald Miller, Screwtape letters CS Lewis, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas Hunter S Thopmson, Where the Red Fern Grows…any Dr. Suess Book and Where the Sidewalk ends Silverstein
Favorite artist: Hmmm Dali. ….
Favorite spot in Portland: Wherever my friends are
Favorite article of clothing: Socks are fun
Can’t live without: music
How do you drink your coffee: black sometimes americano’s or “little buddies” or if I want to treat myself,,,I’ll get a latte
Country you want to visit next: Hmm Ecuador
Nicknames: Joro, JorRo of the Jungle (self proclaimed), Hunter- Gatherer, JT, J, Jordy, Roach, J. Roach, JR,
I’ve never: been water skiing. I know. I’m not a huge swimmer, but I love the ocean and sun…so that counts or something.
