Featured Artist: South Jordan ~ Kleio

A painter paints pictures on canvas, but musicians paint pictures on silence.

- Leopold Stokowski-

If we were to use that metaphor to describe our featured artist, they would simply be the Picasso of music. When I first stumbled across their music, I literally couldn't get enough of them. Their music was replayed over and over again, until my weekend ended. It's amazing how they have displayed and carefully placed their words and melody, and transformed them into a song so honest, so beautiful, a song that meant something and one that stays.

A fairly new band, South Jordan - a band on the rise. And we were lucky enough to have an exclusive interview with them, with their front man -Michael David Hall.

South Jordan

1. Firstly, could you guys introduce yourselves?

Sorry I am going to stray away from this Question a little bit because
we have unofficial members at the moment.
The 4 official members of the band are

Michael David Hall (Chicago, IL) - Vocals
Bobby Campbell (Hagerstown, IN)- Piano / Guitar
Mike Chan (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) - Guitar / Keys
David Witucki - (South Bend, IN) - Bass

2. How did you guys meet? And what made you guys decide to form a band?

South Jordan formed 2 years ago when I met Bobby and Mikey through a mutual friend in school. Bobby and I were both writing our own music, and when the three of us sat down and jammed we just clicked. There was a lot of chemistry in our sound - it felt right.

3. What inspires your music? And who writes the lyrics? They are beautiful.

Real life experiences and emotion inspire our music. The two songwriters of the band are myself and Bobby Campbell.

4. What do you hope to convey through your songs?

Emotion can be a difficult thing to put into words... But feelings control our lives and our actions everyday. Bobby and I hope people hear the honesty and the experiences we've both had within these lyrics. Its really important that our listeners can connect to a song that they know is authentic and not just thought up.

5. How did the name ‘South Jordan’ come about?

Bobby and Mikey Chan lived on South Jordan Avenue here in Bloomington Indiana for 3 years now. We figured it would be a name that would connect us to our hometown and beginning.

6. What are your goals as a band?

We are excited and anxious for the next steps that will take place within a year or two. We're dying for the chance to tour more often and we'd like to leave the states and play for our fans overseas. Getting a major record deal would allow these dreams of growth and exposure to happen.

7. What were your main obstacles while pursuing your music careers?

The main obstacle we've faced is the balance of college and music. We've been full time students with huge workloads that need to be accomplished .... but we've also been touring, recording, writing, and practicing. Its a lot to handle at once.. Once we graduate from the university we'll be able to put all of our time and focus into the band and traveling.

8. Who would you guys like to credit for your success so far?

Within the United States much of our success has come from college tours we've made. We love touring and getting exposed to new campuses. We're very grateful to Shaz at XFRESH FM to discovering our music and giving us the chance to be heard around the KL area. KL was the first city overseas to respond to South Jordan so well - we will
continue to be very loyal to our fans there.

9. Mainstream music?
I think the word mainstream has taken a lot of flak over the past few years because there have been artists who abuse the idea of commercial music. Our music is mainstream, but we are a band that produces their own authentic music. Being an independent band up to this point has taught us a lot about growing and learning on our own. We've gone through a lot and this is evident in our music.

10. If you guys could get a chance to tour with any other artist in the world, who would it be and why?

Maroon 5 is a band that we've recently watched live. They're such amazing performers, it would be mind blowing to open up for one of their shows. We have a lot of respect for the big bands that have been together on the road for so long. We have a lot to learn from those guys.

11. Are you guys Gleeks? (Fan of the Glee Series)

No... haha - we dont have enough time anymore to be watching television.

12. You guys have around 15,000 fans on Facebook. That’s a LARGE number. How do you guys feel about that?

It's amazing. I remember when we hit 500 fans on facebook and smiled. Now its a snowball that we cant necessarily control anymore - but that's a good feeling.

13. Did you guys expect your music to be this well accepted?

No, its awesome when people from all around the world stop by our facebook page and show their support. We're always trying to get better. The last thing having this much support means is that we can sit back and relax. There is a lot more work to do and a lot more to learn.

14. Would you guys ever consider on going on a world tour? (Specifically, would you come to Malaysia? :))

We're dying to come to Malaysia. Our guitarist/keyboardist Mike Chan grew up in KL and lived there until he chose to come to Indiana University for school. As soon as we get the money to fly over we'll play anywhere and everywhere while we're there. There are many loyal fans that we know from the area who we're excited to meet too.

15. What do you have to say to the fans here in Malaysia?

Having support from halfway around the world in Malaysia has really inspired us as a band. Its a big deal for small town guys like us who are members of an independent band to have listeners so far away. We're looking forward to our first of many visits.

Michael Hall, Vocalist of South Jordan

Laced with humility and a deep sense of passion for music, it is almost written in stone that South Jordan will make it big one day. Do check them out in their Facebook page, Myspace and Youtube page!