I had the pleasure to do an artist spotlight on the singer from one of my favorite up-and-coming bands from Oklahoma, Eli Jordan from Verdi Money. If you’re not familiar with Verdi Money, you need to be. Currently, they only have one song out, but they are not slowing down. When I say Verdi Money will be a well-known band in the coming years, I mean it. Their live show is great, and their original songs are even better. Today, though, we are here to learn about Eli himself. So, who is Eli Jordan?
Eli Jordan is the frontman for Verdi Money, a new band out of Verdigris, Oklahoma. During COVID is when Eli first started playing music, and when asked what drew him to it, he said he “Always enjoyed music, thought I’d learn to play it.”
When asked what Verdi Money’s sound was, Eli said he’d describe it as “Shred Dirt. It’s more rock n roll than country but more country than rock n roll.” When I asked him who or what inspired you to start making music, he told me, “I guess I’ve always been creative. So making music was just a new creative outlet to explore. I used to make Lego stopmotions, then it was Call of Duty YouTube videos, then I got to college and acted in Theatre. Another thing I enjoy is writing, I originally wanted to be a journalist, but found out I disliked that culture. And having been learning guitar at that point it made the most sense to at least try.”
There are some artists that have influenced him. The list is always changing based on what he listens to, but four mainstays for Eli are: Black Sabbath/Ozzy, Turnpike, AC/DC, and Ragweed. And when you catch a Verdi Money show, you will 100% feel all of those bands from the music. I was at their first show in OKC, and I’m pretty sure they covered at least one song by all of them except AC/DC.
When asked, what’s been your favorite show or venue to play so far? Eli said, “Beam Live but I’ve only played two so take that as you will.” Which, that was the show I was at, and I got to meet so many great people in the music community, including Eli and the fine folks at Western Grunge Records, which Verdi Money is signed to.
Eli’s dream venue to play at would be Cain’s Ballroom, which I think is probably every Oklahoma band’s dream venue because it’s a staple in the scene.
When I asked, have there been any major turning points in your career so far? Eli said, “It’s just starting so I guess it was a little bit of my imposter syndrome being silenced when people liked my band’s song.” Which Minor Inconveniences is a banger. If you haven’t heard it, go listen to it.
When I asked him, what do you hope people feel when they hear your music? He gave me probably my favorite answer I’ve been given for this question. He said, “I just hope they feel it. However they want to interpret it is in the eye of the beholder. I just hope they like it.”
What does success look like for Verdi Money? People liking their stuff and supporting them making more. Eli said, “There is no success without fans allowing us as a band to be successful.”
When I asked, how do you balance music with the rest of your life? Eli answered, saying, “Something I’m still trying to learn. Currently by the seat of my pants.”
Now this is my favorite question. I asked, what’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone just starting out in music? Eli said, “Open mics. Everyone says it for a reason, get out play in front of people and network at said open mics.”
Regarding upcoming releases and or projects, Eli said to keep your “eyes and ears out for something very soon.”
Where can people find Verdi Money’s music and follow their journey? VerdiMoney on all socials beside TikTok. However, follow Eli.Frosty on TikTok.
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