How Indian-Australian Singer-Songwriter Jordane is Embracing the Beauty of Her Past

There’s something about a soulful R&B ballad that makes you want to text your ex, frantically Google how to unsend that iMessage, and then take a cold shower to wash away your regret (guilty). Jordane’s Is It Wrong is no exception. 

Hailing from Boorloo/Perth but now based in Naarm/Melbourne, the Indian-Australian singer-songwriter has her sights set on creating space for South Asian R&B artists in Australia with her rich, textured vocals and contemplative lyrics.

Exploring the complexities of past relationships, Jordane’s new track is scented with influences from Lauryn Hill to Kehlani. Is It Wrong will leave you wondering what could have been. Jordane’s advice? Be easy on yourself. 

We sat down with Jordane to discuss her music, muses, and Melbourne. Is It Wrong is out today—listen to it now (…text your ex later).

Who is Jordane? How’s the move to Melbourne going? And what do you do when you’re not conjuring up soulful R&B ballads?

I’m an Australian-born South Asian R&B singer-songwriter. I love to travel, and I’m constantly on the move. Moving to Melbourne was quite tough in the beginning with the weather and lack of beaches, but it’s definitely growing on me—I love the culture that the city has to offer. I have a very busy lifestyle, but I will always find time for the things I value my friends, my music, and my sense of adventure (which is why I’m constantly on the move).

Can you tell us a bit more about the inspiration behind Is It Wrong?, and who has influenced your unique sound?

This song was written about the relationships where nothing ‘bad’ happened but just ended naturally. I think it’s normal to see your ex as the villain because it makes it easier to get over them. But then you see them on a night out, and you ask yourself…what could have been if we stayed together? Where would we be now? Do I want what we had again?

For me, music is all about being authentic and vulnerable, and I’m inspired by artists like Jazmine Sullivan, Lauryn Hill, and Kehlani, who are doing the same. I find that the emotions that come when you’re being real can be difficult to explore, but the result can be very powerful.

What’s your heritage and how it has influenced your music? And what is your creative process like when working on a new track?

Growing up in Australia, I found it really difficult to find my identity, assimilating into Western culture and disregarding my Indian roots. It’s sad that I was so dismissive of my culture, but as I grew up, I realised how lucky I am to have my values and traditions and hope I can contribute to a movement that makes South Asian norms more widely accepted. When I’m working on a new track, I don’t go in with a goal to make a particular sound. Instead, I love to explore and create diverse sounds and allow myself to be creative without trying to conform to what is currently popular in the music scene.

Who are you listening to right now? Any South Asian artists you’re obsessed with?

I’m currently obsessed with Joy Crookes. I love the way she incorporates her culture into her music, and she seems like such a relatable person. If I find someone I love, I will listen to them for a very long time—Snoh Aalegra, H.E.R., and Kehlani have all been on my playlist for a while.

Brown Boy Magazine (@brownboyau) celebrates worship-worthy tastemakers and changemakers in the South Asian Australian diaspora (without taking itself too seriously).