PREMIERE | Jordannah Elizabeth, "Borders" (live)
The heartbeat of Baltimore and far beyond — Jordannah Elizabeth.
Our collective humanity cannot be contained and confined by contrivances. The spirit from within is not something that can be reduced or sequestered by imaginarily drawn boundaries intended to hold back our histories, thoughts, expressions, emotions, creativity and everything that makes us who we are. We are beings that are never content to color within the lines, we are the dreamers of new worlds. We are the builders of the communities that create global villages that bring us closer to neighbors both near and far. We are not defined by the labels that are projected to us by the antiquated and outdated constructs of class, race, creed or what organizations we belong to and so forth. We are us. We are our own people. We are the change. We are changing. Constantly. We reject the concept of life as some staid or static organism and embrace the imperfections that make us the beautiful muddle of messiness and individuality (in other words a wonderful work in progress). We are constantly redefining who we are. Nobody can tell us who or what to be. We are not held back by the signifiers and semiotics that seek to define us in totality.
All of this and so much more is expressed in Jordannah Elizabeth’s live acoustic performance of "Borders”. The title track from the 2015 album of the same name; the Baltimore journalist, author, artist, academic, professor, media mogul, manager, model, publicist and so much more shares an intimate view of a song about the imaginary demarcation points that try as they might to keep us within the lines or defined by criteria that has no bearing or relevance. A prolific polymath who has spent years uplifting marginalized voices and talents, one of the world’s leading cultural critics who operates with strong fearlessness and grace, always spotlighting the esoteric and underappreciated undergrounds of extreme import and so much more than can fit within these humble pages — Jordannah shares a stripped down take on a beloved song about the perseverance of spirit and individuality with intonations of new works that have yet to arrive.
The stripped down version of “Borders” feels like a ballad sung at the end of an epic motion picture, the coda of a deeply moving book or song strummed at the epicenter of scorched earth and rubble at the end of the world. Elizabeth balances the motif of discontinuities and new beginnings in a sincere synchronicity with one another. That sincerity rings out in Jordannah’s delivery that exhibits an emotional vulnerability whilst painting musical portraits and declarations of truths that are found to be self-evident. The guitar strings glisten like the rays of sun shining through the dew drop prisms on the floral leaves that glow with the promise and potential of a bright new morning. Jordannah presents a meditation on doing the work of personal growth, the desire for time with another heart and soul that connects through all the unique things that make us who are as a collective people. The free to be you and me style of solidarity is about how we find ourselves and one another according to the sum of all the special things that make us….us. A humanity of togetherness. Imperfect, yet absolutely perfect in the way that we discover who we are and the unlimited beauty of those around us where we find a connection that is outside the lines of pigeonholed pretenses.
Jordannah described the creative process of returning to the 2015 title track with the following reflections:
"I had some new material, which is coming, but Miles [Gannett] and I were in the studio chatting about unreleased music to record, yet while were listening to music, I remembered that a few weeks before I had a breakthrough with Borders. I felt like I finally understood the song completely when I listened to it, I felt it and it resonated. So, we played the track during our session, and it felt right. With the guitars, we vibed on a Pink Floyd-esque acoustic style, so I hope that shines through a bit...it's been a long time.
Thank you for listening and remembering…”
In conversation with Jordannah Elizabeth; press photo courtesy of the artist.
We had the chance to catch up with Jordannah in the following expansive interview exchange:
Like revisiting 2015's album Borders with the acoustic rendering of the title track, interested in hearing about the trials, tribulations and growth that has taken place in the eight year span.
I promised myself I would take a couple of days to meditate on these prompts, but I have thoughts: It feels like no time has passed at all. So much has happened, and yet nothing has happened as I am in a place of peace at this time as I approach middle age. I have less friends than I used to, so I am not taking on everyone’s pain, problems, love lives, keeping their secrets, making sure they have money, food, etc.
So, I’m able to have this beautiful routine of hanging and writing in coffee shops alone to read, think, rejuvenate, and so on. It’s all I do, outside of having meetings with colleagues and attending writers groups a few times a week. The social stimulation is around, but I have one person in my life for which we feel responsible for (one another), and the connection is super spacious.
Looking at most of the tribulation, other than the Uprising and Covid, MeToo and God bless George Floyd, Sandra Bland, and all the beautiful Black citizens who have been unfairly murdered — much of the turbulence was in my mind. Everyone has foes, right, but really, I’m just more mindful of my mental health. I used to live at the center of movements, and now, at this time, I quietly continue to contribute in the form of literature and lecturing.
I have accomplished all I set out to do. Write several books and become a professor. I’d just like to grow in those realms and really stay out of my own way. I want to thank all the people who have loved me at one time, and who still love me. I love you, yet, my own company is super enjoyable.
Notes on the upheavals and change witnessed in Baltimore over the course of this time.
I love my hometown. I can’t seem to stay away once.I settled back in 2015. I lived away from home since 2001 before that, though I vaguely remember living in town around 2011-2013, but I can’t be sure because I’m old now.
The Uprising was intense and necessary. I got a job modeling at Baltimore School for the Arts to make ends meat. That was my last modeling job after a 12 year career. So, around ‘15 my modeling and music career pretty much closed and I announced a retirement in 2016 after releasing The Warmest Low — Dave Heumann, Miles Gannett and a Black woman cellist of whom I can’t remember her name (so sorry, boo). I only remember Miles and Dave because we’re all still kin. Just messaged and talked to each in the last 2 weeks.
In 2015, My first book, Don’t Lose Track had just come out and I went to work on the Warmest Low series soon after — In 2023, I have more books in the works than I want to admit.
Take-aways from the discoveries made from the turbulence of 2020 and beyond.
Self-study is a major key to life. If you have free time, study anything that interests you. I’m taking a webinar tonight for Black writers who need to find an agent, and I have one! I still want to learn!!
Learn what you don't know and what you think you know. All experts are unique, all have gems you’ve never heard before.
Another takeaway: young people deserve guidance. Very hard working kids deserve to go to the best schools, not because they have money, but because they are dedicated to their crafts and kill their auditions. My kids are super down to earth (at The New School). I receive global perspectives and learn from them as well.
Insights on how the past decade has informed your life personally and creatively as you prepare your second album.
I’m not as emotional; I’ve seen a lot, even in the past year. I try to stay cool.
Black men are stunning; though my crushes vary across many nationalities.
I’m old and I still have crushes; I think I’m at my sexual peak biologically. I can’t manage more than one sexual partner. I love being alone and nerding out…so I write about it often.
I don’t care what people think about my appearance. I wear workout apparel and tennis shoes. I didn’t wear flat shoes in public unless they were expensive rider boots until I was about…35. I’ll always be beautiful. I just don’t try as much at all. I’ve never worn makeup in my 20s and 30s. So, I may write about natural beauty.
Love comes in surprising ways. You end up with folks you wouldn’t imagine, if you’re open to what life has to offer. Don’t judge people.
It can take 10 years to fall in love with someone, but 1-2 years to love them unconditionally. You have to go through things together. I don’t mean trauma-bonding — just getting through the days in solidarity. Fight (for each other), cry, lose, win, dance, sing, you know?
Learn how to wait. Don’t rush people.
Respect your obsessions. People are gonna make you feel crazy but obsession helps you craft your art and identity. You’ll look up one day and be an expert, then people will ask for your advice, then you write books or lecture, and there you are. NEVER STOP AN OBSESSION — I can’t even put limits on it, like within reason, etc. If your gut is moving you, God is up to something. God will keep you from being irreparable once/if you move on to another interest after some time.
Never cry over anyone. You’ll look back and think, that was all in my head.
Cruelty is real. Just don’t cry over love…it’s likely you didn’t even know what love was when you were crying.
I think I know what love is now, and I don’t cry. If someone you love makes you cry often, more than once every couple of years. It’s not love. Let that sink in. Real talk.
Expressions and illuminations by Jordannah Elizabeth; press photo courtesy of the artist.
Thoughts on how your process has developed and evolved.
Oh, it's the same ol’: Sit down on the couch while the producer queues up the catalog (of past albums and demos) take some form of pill or smoke (don’t do drugs!!), listen to music, discuss, record, order food, eat, edit, refine.
Artists and activists that have struck some major chords with you.
Oh, too many. I’ll just say rest in power, Greg Tate.
Visions of the future, visions of hope, visions of light.
I’m working towards everything I want for the next 10 years or so, maybe 20, and I’m hoping that something from 10 or 20 years ago will cycle back around to me. Like my music, but I don’t know exactly what it will be.
I’ve just lived long enough now to know life works in cycles, in circles, in a circular manner. I know this to be a fact.
Kernels of wisdom found in the processes of reconstruction and rebuilding from the rubble of broken systems.
Hmm, get tattoos that make you feel like a warrior:
Let people know, when things go down, if the world falls apart, you'll walk through the rubble. I recommend solid black bars or bands around your arms. If you can sit through having a black ink colored in your skin by a tattoo gun, oh baby.
By your own diamonds: Don’t wait for some buster to give you bling.
Most women buy their first diamond ring or jewelry around 29. Even if you are given a ring like I was (twice; I lost my first diamond wedding band in an airport in Berlin), buy more to compliment it. And switch out your wedding bands. DON'T trip if your partner is against wearing a band. Do it for you.
A lyric from Cello Experimental Two: Don’t be shady to your lover, you never know what they’ll do for you.
Don’t try to do things alone:
It’s ok if you like being alone, but collaborate, ask for help. Don’t completely isolate yourself.
Priorities that have been shifted, views that have been altered and items of inspiration that have arrived with the ceaseless tides of unlimited change.
I have a 17 year old step son. I want to send him a bike, new clothes, and shoes. I’m saving up. So, I don’t go to the bar.
My mom inspires me.
Altered views?
Be kind 100% of the time. Doesn’t matter what they did. At a certain age, you have no excuse…or just be grumpy as hell all the time. Moodiness is juvenile.
I used to behave like emotions in any situation were warranted; more in my personal life than my career.
Stay out of others conflicts.
I used to try and make everyone feel nice, solve all the problems. No. Just no.
I accept my body.
I had to be a certain weight —
Life is good.
I used to need tragedy.
I still haven’t decided if I’ll ever go corporate…ok, that hasn’t changed.
Jordannah Elizabeth’s “Borders Live (2023)” is available now.