Jordyn With A Why gets back to her roots with a fresh EP, Where You Water

After a year of growth, international shows and new opportunities, Jordyn With A Why has dropped Where You Water, an EP rooted in collaboration and community. Recorded live at Parachute’s Studio A, the release captures a familiar side of her songwriting, with a growing confidence in her sound and reo Māori. We caught up with Jordyn to talk about finding her feet, trusting her instincts and learning to back herself.

You’ve described Where You Water as a return to your roots. What was happening in your life that made you want to strip things back and make this particular record?

I had recently played Focus Wales and spent a week in London, with some of the band and we spent a day in studio just writing - not for anything in particular, just writing because it’s fun. That feeling of creating something out of nothing, no pressure, just having fun with people I love and respect - it made me want to do more of that. More jams. More storytelling. More live music, in the room, looking at people you trust singing stories I lived.

You recorded the EP live at Parachute’s Studio A with musicians you know and trust. How did having everyone together to play the songs affect the direction of the EP?

It was such a collaborative effort - from writing the demos, finessing the vocal lines, through to recording the project. It was so necessary to have people I trusted to take my stories and communicate it sonically. These songs are my stories but they are so intwined with the community that contributed to creating them.

‘Pop Champagne’ has that cheeky, straight talking energy, with a bit of tough love thrown in. Where did the song come from, and are you someone who finds it easier to give advice to other people than take it yourself?

This song started with the music - choicevaughan on production, Leo Coghini on the keys, Eugene Fuimaono on the gat, they started creating this funky arrangement that was begging to be a bit sassy. I definitely try not to give out advice, I think experience is the best teacher, you kinda have to live your lessons, but this track is definitely what my inner voice can sound like at times.

Your te reo Māori journey has become such a big part of your music, and you’ve spoken about how learning the language opened up new ways to write. Has your relationship with songwriting changed as your reo has grown?

Absolutely - I think my capacity in both te reo Māori and songwriting continues to grow but I think it’s mostly confidence. I’ve grown so much more in my confidence to follow my instincts in my reo journey and as a songwriter.

It’s been a big year, from the response to your te reo Māori cover of ‘Man I Need’ to taking your music overseas and building 4 The Masses with Mohi and Hope. Has the way you see your place in the music industry changed over the past year?

Everything has changed for me - I’ve learned how to become more ambitious, to follow curiosity, to really trust myself and my ideas and to work my ass off lol. I think we make up a lot of rules that aren’t actually real and this year has been such a huge lesson for me in trusting the community around me and working together with our audiences to really make things happen for us.

Your debut album, Hibiscus Moon, Love & Justice, earned major award recognition, including a Pacific Music Award win. Now you’re releasing a more stripped back EP. What does this project say about where you are as a person?

I think this EP shows my growth as an artist - that I’ve found a sonic space that really feels like me. My debut album was such a great experience in trying different sounds and working with different people - I really used that experience to stretch and grow as an artist and this EP is pure indulgence. its fully just leaning into the familiarity of my reality, my stories, my incredibly talented music friends and co-creators.