Codi Jordan Band brings beach vibe to the mountains

The Codi Jordan Band has a unique reggae-rock sound, one that has the mountains— rather than the beach — as its inspiration.

"Our genre has technically been placed into reggae-rock, which is centered around a beach and surf lifestyle," said Codi Jordan, the band's 30-year-old leader. When people see images of mountains on the band's promotional materials, "they begin to ask questions," he said.

What they learn is that Jordan, a Weber County native who earned a bachelor's degree in urban planning from the University of Utah, has been one of the hardest-working musicians in Utah over the past decade.

His band, which includes bassist Cameron Goldsberry and drummer Jonny Knoder, released its third album, "A Little More Less," recently.

Jordan answered questions about the band, its signature sound and his idea of a perfect day.

What inspires you?

The fans. It is amazing to meet people who take your art and make it their own and really believe in what you are doing. That is the best. Also, life inspires me. The good parts, the bad parts, the beautiful parts, the ugly parts, the happy parts and the sad parts. They all come together to make this thing called life inspirational.

What is the most musical thing in the world?

When the band is playing in front of a crowd filled with hundreds or thousands of people and suddenly the band deviates from the written structure of the set song to improv into pure intense musical emotion. As a band we begin to feed off an engaged crowd. We start to break the song down to the bare bones, bass drums and hand claps. Guitars begin to build, the crowd starts to feel the momentum. Sound levels go up, guitar licks progressively start getting exciting and louder, the crowd rises to a fever pitch by jumping up and down in anticipation for a musical climax — wait for it, wait for it, wait for it — Boom! The full band is back with twice the intensity and no person in the room can help but start dancing, singing and clearing their mind of all of life's problems for a single moment of music intensity created by three people with instruments.

Does being a Utah-based musician help or hinder a music career?

On one hand the music business is all about numbers. California has numbers, Texas has numbers, New York has numbers. Here in Utah we have around 3 million people in the whole state. Which means we have 3 million sets of ears. Of those sets of ears, only a certain amount are going to even be seeking new music, and an even smaller percentage of that group will be seeking music by local bands. Of that group, an even smaller number of people looking for local music in Salt Lake City are going to identify with your sound, your story and become a fan. So, gaining a large following can be tedious. … Usually, once [audiences in other states] figure out Utah is like anywhere else and they hear a live set and pick up a new CD, they become loyal fans.

Describe a perfect day.

Wake up late after an awesome gig playing for 10,000 rabid fans singing every word to every song at the top of their lungs. Flip on the radio and hear one of my songs, which is getting a ton of airplay. Put on a pot of coffee and make some toast. Bundle up and head to Powder Mountain to take some turns in the sun and just enjoy nature, and breathe some crisp winter air. Stop in the Powder Keg for some chili fries and a couple of Amber Ales before we head back down the mountain. On the drive home, I get a call from my agent letting me know one of the songs we are shopping in Nashville has been picked up and that I am going to have to jump on a plane in the morning with my guitar to do some consulting in a Nashville studio. I'll get home and pop a nice bottle of red with my fiancée. We'll cook a giant steak with asparagus and mashed potatoes. There'll be no need for dessert, because I am stuffed. Watch the news, close my eyes and start meditating on how to capitalize on the next set of opportunities I have been given.

dburger@sltrib.com

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Listen up

O For more information on the Codi Jordan Band and to listen to and buy the new album, go to www.codijordan.com/