Jordan Firstman Wants to Tell You His Secrets
Editorial Director
Bryan Kong
Creative Director
Melvin Chan
Photographer
Norrel Blair
Styling & Creative Direction
Shaojun Chen
Jordan Firstman is a man of many multitudes. The Los Angeles-based producer, writer, actor, and a director has now entered the chat with another impressive feat: being a singer-songwriter. After signing a deal with Capitol Records, his debut album, Secrets, is here, with features from the likes of Suki Waterhouse and Julia Fox.
From getting a start in the entertainment industry as a writer on Search Party just under a decade ago to appearing in the Marvel Cinematic Universe with Ms. Marvel, Firstman infectiously emits star power as he effortlessly bobs and weaves through his flex of talents. We first met at the New York City premiere of Sebastián Silva’s Rotting in the Sun in August of 2023, before talking a bit more at the Independent Spirit Awards the following February. “Dicks are funny, like they just objectively are,” he had told me. “When you see them consecutively and see how many different shapes, sizes and colors they could be, the funnier they become.”
In what now feels like a very full circle moment, Firstman’s lead single off Secrets is titled I wanna see my friends dicks. The comedy music record was inspired by an Instagram series of the same name that took off during the COVID pandemic, where his followers would submit their own deranged, twisted confessions. Now, Firstman walks me through what it was like venturing into music production, working with Lana del Rey-collaborator Zach Dawes, having to audition for Rachel Sennott’s upcoming HBO series, and more.
VINCENT PERELLA — I think my first taste of your songwriting was when you wrote the Laura Dern tribute song for the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles at the 2020 Indie Spirit Awards. Reflecting on this experience, what was it like having Dern reshare and was this the first, or one of the first times, you could see yourself having a place in the music world?
JORDAN FIRSTMAN — Still, [that was] one of the best moments of my life. When I get sad, I watch that video. It was really such a joy to watch her experience that. Every person should get their name chanted by a gay men’s choir at least once in their life. I definitely did not see that as a gateway to music, but I think I did learn that I could write a melody and a song by doing that.
VINCENT — Where did the initial thought process start for pivoting the Secrets Instagram Highlight to a comedy album? Why is now the time to do it?
JORDAN — It really came very suddenly and naturally. I can’t remember the actual moment, but last June or July I was just like, “I’m going to do this for real.” And then I became utterly obsessed and addicted to making music, and the rest is history. I’m so used to writing scripts, which are insanely laborious in a way that often doesn’t feel fun, and it is, mostly, extremely excruciating. Getting to write these silly songs and going into the studio and leaving with somewhat of a finished product just felt really different and exciting.
VINCENT — You have an impressive slate of collaborators on this, but specifically, how did you go about getting Lana del Rey-collaborator Zach Dawes?
“I guess I forgot how sex averse and still homophobic people are, because my circle is so not.”
JORDAN — We go to the same gym and we had become buddies. I basically asked him to do a session. I think the first thing we wrote was, “I cry when I masturbate,” and immediately it was like, “Oh, this is working really well.” We ended up going eight songs on the record. He’s a great, funny, and talented man. I love him dearly.
VINCENT — You told InStyle that you didn’t “want to just make a shitty demo and put it on Spotify.” What was work like within the studio in terms of crafting the songs and making the final product of each track to your liking?
JORDAN — I would go in with a pretty clear sense of what I wanted. Usually, we would kind of build from a melody or a chorus or a hook. I learned a lot about production through the process, which was really fun for me. The hardest part is that home stretch where the songs are “done,” but need to be 10 to 30 percent better and it’s just adding shit and fine tuning. Then the mixing. That part is a bit of a slog, especially because this album [features] every genre, and has so many tracks, but I loved it all.
VINCENT — Sex sells and the lead single art for I wanna see my friends dicks was iconic. I know people on social media, like myself, were freaking for it. What was your take on people trying to rip down the posters of it in Los Angeles?
JORDAN — I guess I forgot how sex averse and still homophobic people are, because my circle is so not. I think it’s funny. I don’t really care, but it’s been interesting to see which mainstream publications are fucking with the album, because to me, it’s obviously chaotic, but it’s not that dirty. Wanting to see your friends’ dicks is so innocent to me. I don’t know. To me, it’s just a good, fun, and relatable song. But to some I guess it’s “raunchy?” K…
VINCENT — The single was many’s first introduction to you as a musical artist. Why was this the track to do so and lead the project with?
JORDAN — I just think it is one of the more clear cut and poppy songs on the album. It’s also because you need to know the premise of the album — being based on secrets — for a lot of the other songs. If I lead with “Passed out drunk making mac and cheese woke up to a fireman in my apartment,” people would be like, “Wait, what?”
VINCENT — Some of the lyrics are…let’s just say…very on brand with the gay cultural zeitgeist. From spotlighting gooning to singing about “putting pennies in my pussy” over a soft piano, what’s your singular favorite line and/or verse in the album?
JORDAN — I love the second pre chorus in “I can only cum with a loaded gun in my hand.” It goes:
Our family line is cursed, please, lady, hold my purse
So I can grab my gun and cum
Show me your tired, your poor, your huddles masses
Grab your Glock and shake your asses, oh
Is that the vibe we want?
Those are fire lyrics, let’s be real.
VINCENT — How did Rachel Sennott go about casting you in her upcoming untitled HBO series?
“I’m so used to writing scripts, which are insanely laborious in a way that often doesn’t feel fun, and it is, mostly, extremely excruciating. Getting to write these silly songs and going into the studio and leaving with somewhat of a finished product just felt really different and exciting.”
Groomer
Jaime Diaz / The Wall Group
JORDAN — I had to audition the old fashioned way. I think I went in three times. It was nerve wracking, just because it’s such a big opportunity. I wanted it so badly, but I worked hard, and was prepared for it. Also, since Rachel is one of my best friends, we would be talking every day, but she is very good at separating work and life when she needs to. She was giving me no information. I was going crazy.
VINCENT — I know you’re a big fan of Girls and there is some chatter about people thinking Sennott’s show may be inspired by that. Are there any similarities?
JORDAN — I think it’s similar. It feels very, very modern and tapped into the cultural zeitgeist that is happening right now, which I think Lena Dunham had with Girls. The tone is not so similar; it’s going to be its very own iconic show.
VINCENT — You’re working on your first feature, in which you’ll write, direct, and star. What can you tease about the premise? Do you want to write your own music for it?
JORDAN — I will just say that it’s a departure from what I’ve done in many ways. It’s way more earnest and shows a softer, more emotional side to me. I love the script so dearly and I’m so excited to make it.
Listen to Jordan Firstman’s album, Secrets, now on Spotify
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