Many would know South Australian Jordan Skinner for his racecar driving ability and nerves of steel behind the wheel, but the young man from Wallaroo has changed direction and is focussing on his other love- music!
Making his mark as an independent soul-pop musician, he’s just released his catchy debut single ‘The Whole Way Through’, and it’s a fairly impressive effort to say the least. Filmed in Murray Bridge, it shows off his driving skills as well as his ability to lay down a decent track.
Affable and down to earth, 23 year old Skinner is one of those multi-talented people who have the drive and determination to succeed in whatever they have a go at, even a transition as different as this. “I’ve always been interested in music, and have been playing guitar since I was 5, Mum and Dad were music lovers so I’ve always been surrounded by it. As far as writing music goes, that started when I was 14 or 15. I preferred to have a go at my own stuff rather than play other people’s songs.”
The Whole Way Through is a fantastic foray into the music world for Skinner; it’s got a happy, summer feel about it and should do exceptionally well. The song writing process was relatively simple in this case, with no elongated periods of self-reflection or bohemian living to enhance the creative process. “I wrote that (The Whole Way Through) in about 15 minutes sitting at the end of my bed, I’d just returned from England and had moved back in with my parents after being independent for a while. It was during a strange transition, really,” says Skinner. The feedback thus far has been positive which has given him the confidence to pursue music further, and he says that it’s getting a decent response from people.
Following his father’s career as a race driver since he was 11, Skinner was given a go-kart as a gift from his dad and it went from there. He’s raced Formula Fords in London and is the first Formula 3 race winner at Mount Panorama since Sir Jack Brabham more than 50 years ago.
The film clip for The Whole Way Through features him and a lovely young lass cruising around Murray Bridge in a Holden Monaro, and ends with him laying down an impressive burnout at the Murray Bridge race track. But don’t think for a second that Jordan Skinner is a hoon driver, he’s a professional racer and has had years of experience behind a wheel. The temptation to push a car to its limits has sadly caused all too many a young person to lose their lives and on this point, Skinner offers a sensible and role model outlook towards reckless driving. ”When we first started driving, some of my mates were doing burnouts etc, but were surprised that I wouldn’t. Not because I didn’t want to, but because I’ve hit things at over 100km/h racing and it bloody hurts! It gives you the sense that you’re not invincible at all. I’d tell my mates that & hopefully they’ll never forget.”
As far as the challenges of transitioning from racecar driving into the sometimes cruel music industry, Skinner is well prepared and has a realistic understanding of the sometimes dog eat dog nature of both. He has a great outlook on things, and as much as he enjoys wining and the challenges of competition, has the maturity to recognise that nothing comes easy. “With racing, you can strap your helmet on and pretty much hide for a bit but with music, you’re in the spotlight and really have nowhere to hide. It’s not going to be a walk in the park, I know that already but as long as I can enjoy it then I’m fine with that. I’m looking forward to having a bit of fun and to see where it takes me.”
I jokingly press him on what he’d choose if he had to, between a successful career in racing or in music. “It’d be like being a parent and having to choose your favourite kid,” which evokes a hearty laugh from both of us. “It’s actually a hard question, but although racing is what I mainly do, music is new,fresh, and exciting.” Fortunately, Jordan Skinner has the talent to be able to pull both off and is a name to keep an eye out for.
The Whole Way Through is available now. Check out the video HERE which was filmed in Murray Bridge in South Australia and witness some of Jordan’s fabulous driving skills or you can listen to the track HERE!
www.facebook.com/jordanskinner03
Interviewed by Darren Hassan
Twitter: @DazzHassan
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