By Derek Lynch
Jourdan Myers was another twentysomething investment banker living the jaded life in Minneapolis. Coming down with a case of Lyme’s Disease last year, she was forced to take time off of her job and spent her bedridden days contemplating her job, her place in life, her past loves, her losses. The result was a collection of songs that would become her second LP, Ruin Me With Love. As Myers eloquently explained the situation to me in a Facebook message:
“Investment banking + Lyme’s Disease = songs”
It turns out to be a remarkable formula-she never returned to her day job. Ruin Me is a driving, glitter-rock showcase of piano motifs and crystalline mezzo-soprano belts. It also serves as a glimpse into Myers’ soul, each song revealing something unique. “Push Me On the Playground” is an open letter to a would-be fling still learning how to not treat a lady. “Firelight” is a somber waltz that brings to mind summer nights in Paris as Myers begs the object of her attention to “burn me with your fire, quench my one desire, ruin me with love.” The flagship track off the album is the hard-hitting “Wanderlust,” in which Myers is singing seemingly to our entire generation of the “ball and chain” keeping us grounded. The song itself is grounded with brittle, metallic drums that finally open up to make room for a very organic string quartet and Myers’ own voice.
With each of the twelve tracks on Ruin Me being strong enough to stand its own ground, it’s no wonder Jourdan has already been able to land a Midwestern tour and a Daytrotter session. Ruin Me is intimate, beautifully produced, and refreshingly honest.
www.facebook.com/jourdanmyersmusic1
http://jourdanmyers.bandcamp.com/
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