“We’ve all had some kind of an unexpected whirlwind adventure with someone and wanted to capture a version of that story,” says Alex Jordan about the mystery protagonist that burns through the title track to his upcoming album. “Even if it’s uncomfortable or catastrophic in nature, it can often change us for the better.”
Though he’s made a name for himself playing guitar, piano and Hammond B3 organ onstage for the likes of Bob Weir, Phil Lesh and Peter Rowan, Jordan is also a promising songwriter. The Bay Area native found an empathetic collaborator in Los Lobos’ Steve Berlin, who produced Queen Kerosene at the Finishing School in Austin. The album will be released March 8 of next year via Andy Logan Productions.
The basic tracks were recorded live in the studio with support from some of Austin’s finest players, including singer Carrie Rodriguez and accordion player (and Flaco Jiménez protégé) Josh Baca. After that, Jordan and Berlin went to work refining what they had. Alongside rootsy, groove-saturated originals like the title track, there’s also a powerful, organ-laced version of the Jayhawks’ “Blue.”
When it comes to influences, Jordan casts a wide net, from Tex-Mex and roots country to R&B and jazz. Berlin reigns it all in with a refined touch, giving Queen Kerosene a bluesy rock consistency and distinct pop sensibility. Award-winning directing duo Joshua Britt and Neilson Hubbard came up with the idea for the “Queen Kerosene” video.
“They pitched this idea of real-life shots mixed with miniatures in front of a projection screen,” says Jordan. “It certainly isn’t something I would’ve ever come up with. I flew to Nashville, and we spent an afternoon around sunset just outside town running the song in a few locations. We had this epic thunderstorm in the distance obscuring the sunset, giving a slightly dreamy look to the location—especially on camera. After I left, they continued the story, shooting the series of miniatures. It really gives this feeling that the whole story might be happening in my head.”
MAGNET is proud to premiere the video for “Queen Kerosene.”
—Hobart Rowland
