New Zealand-born, Australia-raised artist Jordan Rakei has been named as the first ever ‘Artist In Residence’ at London’s iconic Abbey Road Studios.
According to the studio, the role is the first in a series of new ‘in residence’ appointments, designed to “enhance Abbey Road’s position as a house of creativity and build a wider community”.
Abbey Road says that Rakei will have access to the entire building including the “fabled” Studios Two and Three and “the treasure trove” of Abbey Road gear, microphones and instruments.
In addition, Rakei will have a dedicated writing room at his disposal.
Rakei will also participate in some of Abbey Road’s outreach programs and content series. These include the Lock-In filmed studio collaborations and writing camps, alongside Abbey Road’s educational and mentoring festivals Equalise and Amplify.
He will also be part of the consultation and testing process for Abbey Road’s work across Audiomovers and the music tech incubator program, Abbey Road Red.
Jordan Rakei releases his fifth studio album, The Loop, on May 10. The album is his first on Decca (and Verve Forecast in the US).
After making waves in the soul, jazz and electronic scenes on his arrival in London from Australia in 2015, Rakei self-released his debut Cloak a year later, before signing to indie label Ninja Tune ahead of his second album Wallflower (2017).
Jordan Rakei went on to release his third and fourth albums Origin and What We Call Life in 2019 and 2021, respectively.
He has recorded live sessions for COLORS, NPR’s Tiny Desk and BBC 6 Music, sold out Brixton Academy, and has amassed over one billion streams across his catalog.
Rakei heads out on a headline tour in the Autumn, culminating in two shows at the Royal Albert Hall in October. He recently performed at the BBC 6 Music Festival in Manchester, alongside The Smile, Young Fathers and others.
Commenting on his appointment at Abbey Road, Jordan Rakei said: “I’m incredibly honored to hold the Artist In Residence position at Abbey Road Studios, a journey that began with me making music in my bedroom at the age of 11.”
Credit: Carsten Windhorst
“I’m incredibly honoured to hold the Artist In Residence position at Abbey Road Studios, a journey that began with me making music in my bedroom at the age of 11.”
Jordan Rakei
He added: “Throughout my career, I’ve always been drawn to the creative process and have always considered myself more of a studio hermit, so being granted this residency feels like the ultimate validation of my passion and dedication to music.
“I aim to make the most of this opportunity by providing a platform for artists who wouldn’t otherwise have the chance to work in a studio like Abbey Road. Having experienced the early days of my career in a similar setting, I understand the value of being able to use a place like this as an instrument. I want to support others who may be starting their musical journey, fostering an environment where their creativity can flourish without constraint.
“Additionally, I envision the studio as a vibrant hub for collaboration with the bubbling global music scene – where artists from diverse backgrounds and genres can come together, with me, to create freely, without the pressure of expectations. This residency is not just about creating music; it’s about building a community and celebrating the joy of artistic expression. I want to embrace making music for fun again!”
Photo by: Carsten Windhorst
“This is a significant moment for Abbey Road Studios as we introduce our Artist in Residence program, a new chapter that underscores our commitment to fostering creativity and innovation within the music industry.”
Sally Davies, Abbey Road
Sally Davies, Managing Director of Abbey Road said: “This is a significant moment for Abbey Road Studios as we introduce our Artist in Residence program, a new chapter that underscores our commitment to fostering creativity and innovation within the music industry. We are thrilled to welcome Jordan Rakei as our first-ever artist in this role.
“Jordan’s exceptional talent and unique approach to music embodies the spirit of innovation that Abbey Road Studios has always championed. I’m excited to see how this role unfolds, enhancing the creative legacy of Abbey Road Studios and setting new benchmarks for musical innovation and collaboration for years to come.”
“As we embark on a new chapter in the Abbey Road story, there couldn’t be a better artist to help open our doors, combining our shared values and ambitions alongside a commitment to supporting the next generation.”
Mark Robertson, Abbey Road
Mark Robertson, Head of Brand & Communications at Abbey Road added: “As fans of Jordan’s music, we’ve been closely following his ascent over the last eight years, so it’s a real joy to be able to welcome him to our home with this new role.
“As we embark on a new chapter in the Abbey Road story, there couldn’t be a better artist to help open our doors, combining our shared values and ambitions alongside a commitment to supporting the next generation.”Music Business Worldwide
