Imagine Sinead Oconnor trapped in a 19th workhouse with only Trent Reznor for company.
Jordan has been nominated for New Zealand Music Awards, recieved several Arts Council grants, scholarships and comissions, and released five CDs (two albums under the moniker "Dr Kevorkian & the Suicide Machine").
Jordan now lives in London and Hamburg, where she performs regularly both live, and online.
International Reviews:
"simply stunning. A thoroughly unique work of art from start to finish. Whether by hook or crook, you MUST own this album. RATING - 5 / 5" Channel 4 (UK)
"I'd be loath to categorize music this original. PJ Harvey springs to mind, but the style is 100% Jordan's. Her vocals are astounding"
The Mix (UK)
"one of the best dark ambient pieces of music ever to have come out of New Zealand... a thoroughly emotional and moving piece of sound art which deserves wide exposure.” – FIEND Magazine (Australia)
"one of the most impressive musician/ songwriter/ composers of the last 10 years" Nocturnal Hall (Germany)
"Husky and thoughtful female vocals ride over a wide-ranging alternative spectrum of sound, from rock and acoustic guitars, to mellow and haunting synths. That said, this sound is distinct, with Jordan's vocals being able to reach any scale, no matter what the music around her may be doing, making for a varied listening experience. This is what the scene needs – more bands willing to give something new a go, and Dr Kevorkian seem to be amongst those leading the way"
Hard Wired (UK)
"A jewel of industrial folk...(Reyne's) fascinatingly powerful voice...and reliance on substance over gloss make „How the Dead Live“ an impressive album. Disturbingly beautiful. A must have - not just for lovers of dark and industrial folk, but for everyone." Unser Luebeck (Germany)
Local Reviews:
"A groundbreaking album - Probably the most eerily beautiful and disturbing album you will hear from a New Zealand artist this year”. New Zealand Musician
"..the most innovative, emotive and experimental music ever to come out of New Zealand" Salient (Victoria University)
"The Ironman is a concept album, a study in science, technology and humanity. Stunning poetry.. evocative and moving" Real Groove
"[the Loneliest of Creatures] is one of the most ethereal and hauntingly beautiful albums to be released this year. Jordan Reyne is a truly experimental musician, willing to overthrow any preconceived notions of "how music should be" in order to expand her art" Chaff (Massey University Student Press)
"Where others sit and strum, Reyne uses the entire studio to build somber yet evocative sound pictures... She succeeds in turning her bleakest visions into something musically seductive"
The Listener (NZ)
"This album will tear you apart - and it may be the best thing you buy all year" Rip It Up (NZ)
Guest Appearances, Commissions and Collaborations:
Jordan from Dr Kev has guested on tracks by
Breaks Co-Op Lyrics, vocals and melody for the track "Transistor" - released 1997 by Deepgrooves and Festival Records.
FEARvLOATHINC Lyrics, vocals and melody for the track "Maker" "Newex" "Waiter" & "Alien Radio Station"- due out soon!
James K Baxter. Jordan was invited to write music and melody to Baxter's poem "High Country Weather" for the Baxter album (featuring music by many NZ artists and poems by James K Baxter) that was released in 2001.
Gydja vocal samples for use by gothic underground artist Gydja.
David Eggleton. Jordan put music to David Eggleton's poem "PC" released in 2001 on Yellow-Eye records.
Victoria University Jordan (as Dr Kev) is currently working on a commissioned piece for Victoria Universities Theatre and Film department.
Notable Live Miscellany:
Music and Technology Tour ('98): Reyne undertook a Creative New Zealand and Fender sponsored tour of Secondary Schools in 1998. The 42 date tour was one of the biggest of its kind. It took 5 months to complete.
Big Day Out: Reyne played at 2 Big Day Outs and twice at the Mountain Rock Festivals.
Reyne also played support for White Zombie back in the days of Bloodflower. "[their] live performances are nothing short of amazing both aurally and visually" - Chaff: Massey University Student Magazine
You can hear Jordan's music on:
Shortland Street - mainly in the cafe scenes.
2 NZ short films: one entitled "Blessed"
The bNet stations
National Radio & Concert FM
Access Radio and Pirate
You can also hear her as guest artist on:
Strawpeople
FEARvLOATHINC
Breaks Co-Op
Gydja
N.U.T.E.
Birds of Prey
Jordan Reyne Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To feed the collective, who he claims he will save now
We wait for him to save the world.
The carrion birds came and tore out the poor eyes
And the people all saw light and flocked round it like flies
Waiting for him to change the world.
God save all the children who cry now in hunger
God damn non believers and burn them in anger.
And the pain twists their bodies in the name of the saviour
Who will someday return home and save all the sinners who
Wait for him to save the world
God damn all the liars and their promises breaking
We can sit and do nothing while the millions are dying and
Wait for him to save the world.
The lyrics of Jordan Reyne's song Birds of Prey explores the themes of blind faith, religious fanaticism, and the consequences of waiting for someone else to save the world. The first stanza describes a stone-carved figure hanging on a cross, symbolizing a religious leader claiming to save his followers. However, the carrion birds come and tear out the poor man's eyes, suggesting that the charismatic leader is not what he claims to be. The people continue to wait for him to change the world even though he failed to protect himself from the birds.
The second verse speaks of God saving all the children, but damning the non-believers and burning them in anger. This line represents the hypocrisy of a religion that preaches love, forgiveness, and mercy but is willing to harm those who do not share their beliefs. The pain twists their bodies in the name of the savior, which means that followers are willing to suffer to attain salvation from the supposed messiah. The leader promises to save all the sinners, but the followers must wait for him to save the world.
The last lines talk about how people wait for someone else to save the world while doing nothing to help the millions of suffering individuals. The song's overall message is that blindly following a leader in the hopes that they will change the world is not enough. The choice lies within the people to bring about change and not wait for someone else to do it for them.
Line by Line Meaning
A stone sculpted body lies slumped on a cross now
The singer describes a lifeless body resting on a cross.
To feed the collective, who he claims he will save now
The referenced individual promised salvation to others and they believed in him.
We wait for him to save the world.
The believers wait for the promised savior to save the world.
The carrion birds came and tore out the poor eyes
The ravens scavenged the body taking what is left.
And the people all saw light and flocked round it like flies
The followers interpret any sign, even death, as hope.
Waiting for him to change the world.
The followers anticipate their savior to make a difference in the world.
God save all the children who cry now in hunger
The singer prays for the hungry and impoverished children.
God damn non believers and burn them in anger.
The artist curses the unbelievers and call for divine punishment.
Burn them in anger.
The artist reiterates the divine punishment wished upon the non-believers.
And the pain twists their bodies in the name of the saviour
The followers suffer in pain with faith that it is all for the sake of their savior.
Who will someday return home and save all the sinners who
The savior has promised to save even those who have sinned.
Wait for him to save the world
The believers are still waiting for their savior to save the world.
God damn all the liars and their promises breaking
The singer condemns the people who make promises they don't intend on keeping.
We can sit and do nothing while the millions are dying and
The singer suggests that instead of waiting idly, action must be taken.
Wait for him to save the world.
The singer reminds the listeners that the believers are still waiting for the savior to save the world.
Contributed by Ian J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.