Jacqueline Justice

Song Premiere: Jordan Tice Embraces the Present on 'Matter of Time'

It's fitting that Nashville singer-songwriter and guitarist Jordan Tice lives just a stone's throw from music legend John Hartford's old cottage on the Cumberland River. Tice, known for his work with progressive stringband Hawktail, shares Hartford's collaborative, creative spirit and "Matter of Time," the latest release from Tice's forthcoming album Motivational Speakeasy (out September 25), shares the wise world-view showcased on Hartford classics such as "In Tall Buildings" and "Gentle On My Mind."

Tice says the tune was inspired after an evening of listening to Mississippi John Hurt.

"This song popped out while noodling on guitar after an evening of listening to Mississippi John Hurt recordings. It's about how we're all just single souls passing through life, each with our own vantage point," Tice tells Wide Open Country. "We'll never really know what's down the line and therefore the way forward is just dealing with the present moment. Pretty classic subject matter for what felt like a classic melody to me. I like playing in the key of D in standard tuning without dropping the low string to D. It keeps you moving up and down the neck rather than just droning the whole time resulting in a nice variety of texture."

Listen to "Matter of Time" below.

Jordan Tice · Matter of Time

Motivational Speakeasy was produced by Kenneth Pattengale of The Milk Carton Kids.

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