Meet Jordan Sokel | Band leader for Pressing Strings

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jordan Sokel and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jordan, why did you pursue a creative career?
I was in college at the time and just feeling really tired and uninspired with what I was studying. I was just beginning to gig a lot and I realized that the thing that came easiest to me and what inspired me most was music and it was the clearest path for me to make a steady living while not sacrificing my freedom of choice and independence. I knew it was a very competitive and famously tough industry to navigate and thrive in but to me the pro’s have always outweighed the cons.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
The process of creating music and art is deeply ingrained in me and something that I feel the need to go back to regularly for comfort and a sense of clarity in my life. My guitar is always near me like an adult safety blanket.

I don’t know if there’ s anything that sets my music and band apart from others. I think my voice is unique and that’s a product of many many hours of practice and performing, trying to find an honest way of expressing things without trying to copy other artists. I try to avoid thinking about how other people will perceive it because I find that messes with the process and the joy of creating things.

I am really proud of the music my band has put out into the world and the fact that some of that music has has served as a comfort to others in very difficult times of their life. In many cases these people are strangers and reach out to share their experiences with me and let me know that what I have put out to the world has truly helped them or their relatives. That brings me a great sense of satisfaction and pride. I love the idea that once you create something and make it available to others it becomes everyone’s and you never know who is listening or why.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Being from Annapolis, Maryland I can’t say I’ve spent nearly enough time in Raleigh as I would have liked to. When we are on tour it’s usually just a quick overnight and move on to he next city type of situation. With that being said I love the Pour House Music Hall & Record Shop. That has been our main connection to the city and we are coming back there February 10th for a co-bill with Drew Foust & The Wheelhouse who are a great North Carolina based band.

Website: http://www.pressingstrings.com

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/pressingstrings

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pressingstrings

Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/pressingstrings

Other: Spotify : https://open.spotify.com/artist/26ZMJzyOeTTQzwImKFsKHR

Image Credits
CR Imagery Britt Olsen-Eckler