A new energy to Extreme: Interview with Jordan Ferreira, Extreme Rise Co-Writer and multi-instrumentalist
Extreme SIX is finally here. The band returned in style, blowing the rock world away with their comeback single ‘Rise’. Written by Gary Cherone and Nuno Bettencourt, ‘Rise’ boasted a new song writing credit, that of Jordan Ferreira. This was a big thing for Extreme and their fans, as it was the first time the band had worked with a writer outside of the Extreme circle.
With Jordan’s collaboration, ‘Rise’ allowed Extreme to explore a new heavier sound. One that still features their trademark killer riffs, operatic rock vocals and blisteringly fast guitar solos. There’s also a new energy to Extreme, as they return reinvigorated and vital. And some of the credit for this reinvention must go to Jordan Ferreira.
In addition to Jordan’s work with Extreme, he’s also a hugely talented solo artist in his own right. For more on his music check out our Bad Tattoo Drop The Needle feature where Jordan talks about his excellent new release ‘Voodoo’.
Bad Tattoo were fortunate enough to chat with Jordan. During our conversation, we find out more about him, his solo work and writing with Nuno. Jordan also sheds some light on the unreleased Extreme material and puts paid to those pesky Stone Temple Pilots comparisons.
Hey Jordan, tell us some more about yourself?
I’m Jordan Ferreira and I’m a songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Massachusetts, now living in Los Angeles.
You’re known for your work with Extreme but your solo stuff is excellent. There’s a really cool Hendrix, Stevie Wonder and Kravitz vibe and you write some mean hooks. You’re also an amazing guitarist, the intro to Voodoo is insane! No wonder Nuno has seen something in you.
That’s kind, thank you. Those are many of my big musical influences. Lenny Kravitz in particular. My own solo album is slated to be released this summer. I’m excited for people to hear these songs. I would say ‘Voodoo’ is the track that feels most like home for me. Quite a lot of the album is inspired by Prince as well.
What other bands have you played with that we can check out?
I’ve written and produced with my own progressive rock group ElixironMute, Vigilant, The Memorials and Mindwalk Blvd.
Tell us about your song writing process, how you create and what inspires you?
I just recently read Rick Rubin’s new book ‘The Creative Act’. That’s been inspiring me more than anything recently. As far as a songwriting process, it can start with anything. It’s different every time. A sample, a riff, a loop, a concept, a melody, a lyric, or a title could all be the inspiration that gets you started and from there it’s all about putting in the time and building a story with a beginning, middle and end.
Growing up I was influenced by Dream Theater, The Mars Volta, Metallica, Yes, U.K. amongst many others. Films and books also inspire me. Donnie Darko, Lost In Translation and Oldboy are some of my favorites. I love movies.
Which other artists do you write for?
I did a session with a great pop artist named Cassidy Mckenzie recently. I worked on music for an international ride sharing company and I’m also doing some work as a lyricist on an upcoming progressive rock album that I’m excited about.
The Rise of Jordan Ferreira
How did the Extreme gig come about?
I connected with Nuno when I moved to LA. I’ve known his brother Robert for basically my whole life. Robert is the coolest. Through the years when I lived in Massachusetts, I’d go see Extreme and get a chance to talk to them for a few minutes. I never thought about working together.
Rise is incredible, it sounds like Extreme but so heavy, modern and fresh. What was your involvement in the song and how do you write with Nuno and Gary?
Thanks man. Nuno had asked me to write for another rock artist that I grew up listening to. I remember immediately booking studio time and writing 12 instrumental songs with a hard rock edge. Nuno loved the tracks and after some time he asked me if I wanted to write with him for SIX, the new Extreme album. It was during these sessions that together we wrote what became ‘Rise’.
Tell us about ‘Rise’ and what the song means to you?
I’m honored to have contributed in a profound way to the reinvention of a band like Extreme. When I saw the video in particular I was very proud. I give Nuno credit for having the vision that it was time to re-invent.
Which other song from ‘SIX’ that you co-wrote are you most excited about and tell us more about it?
For me it would be ‘X Out’. It’s inspired by something I had written years before and my friend Navene Koperweis did some very innovative production work on it. I know it’s surprised a lot of people. I also worked on ‘#Rebel’ and ‘Save Me’.
“Nuno is hyper-focused and committed to finishing the song”
What was it like watching Nuno and Gary create and to get involved in that process? And were you there when Nuno was working on that incredible guitar solo for Rise?
It’s interesting writing with Nuno. He’s hyper-focused and committed to finishing the song and is prepared to stare at a blank canvas for 18 hours to do it. I’ve never written with Gary in the same room but that’d be fun. I wasn’t there for the tracking of the solo but I’d assumed I wouldn’t be. I would do the same thing in Nuno’s place. It’s nice to have the freedom to be alone and track as many solos as necessary to get the right vibe down.
Nuno said he scrapped more than an entire album’s worth of Extreme material before SIX. Did you hear any of those songs?
I have heard a lot of unreleased music that Nuno has written. A lot of it I think is his very best work.
Did you listen to Extreme growing up and if so did you learn to play their songs? Which songs of theirs inspired you?
I didn’t. I was a Metallica fan who then discovered progressive rock early on, so that was always what I listened to growing up. ‘Rise’ is my first Extreme song!
You’ve also worked with Anthony J Resta, another Bettencourt alumni – tell us more about that?
Love Anthony. He worked on my first two ElixirOnMute albums. Adding layers of backwards guitars / mellotrons etc. He’s an incredibly talented producer, writer and multi-instrumentalist with great instincts.
Fans have compared the sounds on ‘Rise’ to Stone Temple Pilots or Velvet Revolver. I think it’s because it’s so heavy yet melodic. Were STP an influence, or is it just how the song turned out hitting that same vibe?
Those bands weren’t a conscious influence but they are very talented of course. The only band of that scene that I was directly inspired by was Nirvana. Kurt’s vocals, guitar playing and writing are all very big influences.
What’s next for you musically?
My own album is slated for release shortly after SIX. I’m looking forward to sharing these songs with the world and I’ve already started writing for my next album.
Will you work with other artists as a songwriter or is your focus on your own material?
I’d love to focus on my own material but I just love songwriting. It’s fun writing with other artists. It’s actually much easier for me. I tend to get too close to material that’s meant for me, whereas I can be more objective helping other artists. So I guess the answer is whatever comes up.
“This boy sounds like Shawn Lane”
If money was no object and the stars aligned, if you could own any guitar in the world what would it be and why? For example, hands down I’d go for Brian May’s original Red Special.
A Magneto Eric Gales Signature guitar. I actually played this guitar over 10 years ago in the studio with Thomas Pridgen, Dug Pinnick and Eric. I had never met Eric before but he could not have been any cooler. While they took a break he handed me his guitar and said ‘Play me something’ I was absolutely blown away. The feel, the sound, etc. It is very possibly the greatest electric guitar I have ever played. Afterwards he actually gave me the greatest compliment I think I’ve ever gotten in my life. He said “This boy sounds like Shawn Lane”. Shawn is one of my musical heroes and I didn’t realize he and Eric knew each other in Memphis. He told me some great stories. It was an amazing day. Also a Godin Multiac Deluxe. In my opinion this is the greatest nylon string guitar in the world.
Name top band or song you recommend that we should get into?
You know, one of my favorite bands of all time is a band called ‘Fair To Midland‘ that broke up over a decade ago. I had the chance to open for them and they were truly a force of nature. They put out two masterpiece albums. Highly recommend them. ‘Dance Of The Manatee’ is a highlight for me.
And this last one comes from my 10 year son Hugo (an Extreme convert and metal fan) – do you like pandas? (He loves pandas asked me to ask you that 🙂
I love this question. I do like pandas and animals of all kinds. I’ve already picked out a name for my future french bull dog; Goblin.
Thanks Jordan and for more on his music check out:
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