Jordan Kaplan – “Call Me Jooty”
Philadelphia-based band Needle Points takes psychedelic rock to a new level, defining themselves as “street level boogie.” This five-piece band, featuring two drummers certainly lives up to the “boogie” category, as every song seems to make the soul dance.
The band consists of Colin Holloway on lead vocals, Dave Chains on guitar/vocals, Brian Langan on bass/vocals, Jordan Kaplan on drums/percussion, and Danielle Kinoshita also on drums/percussion.
A phone interview explained the nature of the band and proved Jordan, one of the two drummers, to be quite a character. Jordan, 29, originally from Princeton, NJ, is self-described as “joyful, fun loving and kind.”
Jordan rocks long bleach blonde hair, a scruffy beard, nose ring, aviator sunglasses, and dresses in “wacky 70s” apparel, featuring groovy ponchos. He also prefers his nickname and claims that his life tagline would be “Jordan Kaplan – Call me Jooty.”
After studying biology at The College of New Jersey, Jordan went on to graduate school but is currently on leave in order to pursue Needle Points.
“I’ve always been interested in music,” said Jordan. “My dad was in a band in high school and he used to tell me about it and I was really kind of fascinated by that. I just used to hear a lot of music when I was a kid. My mom played a lot of classical stuff…and then my dad listened to a lot of classic rock …it just kind of took hold, but I didn’t start playing an instrument until college really. I started with guitar.”
I found it interesting that he started with guitar, as he is now one of the percussionists of Needle Points. “I’ve kind of always wanted to be a drummer,” said Jordan. “I’m definitely very rhythmic. I just never really had the space to have a drum set or the right set up that would enable me to practice playing the drums so – I always knew I had it in me but I was never able to develop any skills because I didn’t have the opportunity.”
Two years ago, Jordan finally got the opportunity he was looking for. “This band that I used to be in called Bunnie – which is like the precursor band to Needle Points – they needed a drummer and I was like “I could probably do it,” and they were like “have you ever played the drums?” and I was like “well, kind of.” So I just went over there and practiced with them and it was obvious that I had the right feel, but, I just needed to play a lot more – but we got it together,” he explained.
Most members of Needle Points are in similar circumstances as they are playing instruments that they are less familiar with. “That element of not really being proficient at an instrument…it adds something, it sounds really fresh and authentic,” said Jordan.
Aside from their already colorful stage appearance and overall visually stimulating show – filled with 70s costumes, flowers, Christmas lights and hand made merch – Needle Points has a unique way of playing on stage. Similar to Moe Tucker of The Velvet Underground, both Needle Points drummers stand up while playing.
“We just wanted to be a very visual thing,” said Jordan. “Most bands you see the drummer in the back sitting down and you don’t see them. Now we have two drummers and we’re both standing up and its sort of symmetrical and its different.”
As a drummer, Jordan makes his main goal to “feel the beat, but then embellish it and make it sound like Needle Points.”
“We’re never going to be perfect,” he said, “but we can get it so it sounds really cool.”
