INTERVIEW WITH... JANUARY JANE


NYC based Alt-pop trio January Jane are signed to legendary musicologist and KLOS DJ Matt Pinfield’s Whiskey Vinyl label and BMG. The trio have been preparing for their forthcoming Summer EP release and have just unveiled the music video for their Quantum Physics themed single “Versions Of You”. I chatted with two members of January Jane about their upcoming EP, musical background, and of course, Matt Pinfield signing them. You can read the interview with Pat and Mitch below.


THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: Hi, guys! To begin, My first question is how has quarantine life been for you as guys? How have you had to adjust creatively?

PAT OF JANUARY JANE: It’s our pleasure to be speaking with you and thanks for checking in! We know how crazy this whole pandemic has been and we hope that everyone else is doing well. Our hearts go out to anyone that’s had a tough time. So far we’re doing well and the creative juices are flowing.

MITCH OF JANUARY JANE: Amen! We've been creating non-stop! As soon as SXSW was cancelled last year (glad we bought refundable tickets haha), we decided it was the right time to double down and work even harder...and a few months later we signed with BMG.

THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: So you originally started as just two of you, Mitchell and Pat. How did Peter come on board to where you guys became January Jane?

PAT OF JANUARY JANE: Well Mitch and I met at a gallery opening in SOHO and later, we were introduced to Peter in the Meatpacking District. So there's no question New York City brought us all together. I would say it was fate.

MITCH OF JANUARY JANE: We met up after the art gallery a couple of days later and wrote our first song in 10 minutes. Later on that evening, we performed that song for some new found friends while out late night in Greenwich Village, and one of them decided it was imperative we drop everything (except the guitar) and brought us to a private loft party where we were introduced to Peter. The rest is history!

THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: Tell me more about how connected with the legendary musicologist Matt Pinfield? And how you ended up signed to his label?

PAT: He came to see us play at a converted adult theater in Times Square (emphasize "converted" haha). After the show we started chatting about music and before we knew it we were back at Mitch’s apartment going through demos, talking about our influences. Matt is a music encyclopedia so the stories he has are epic and we all got along so well talking shop.

MITCH: Matt is our brother! We've always had the modus operandi to saying "yes" to every show opportunity which included converted adult theaters. Thank God we did because we instantly hit it off with Matt... and having him on this ride with us has been an amazing thing!

THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: Let’s talk about your new single “Versions Of You”? There’s an interesting story behind it I hear?

PAT: Lyrically the song started when I saw a model on the train looking at her portfolio and seeing how unhappy she was. It sparked a lot of questions about the different versions we see of ourselves and how we see each other. It also reflects how we are affected in our relationships. The music has spanned a few years with the recording starting in Manhattan where I laid down bass/drums and some chords, then Mitch laid down the guitar and Peter with the keys. Then we opened the song back up in 2021 after Matt and BMG wanted to make it a single and we finished it in Brooklyn. So even the recording was a story in itself.

MITCH: Ironically, while it took years to complete, "Versions of You" flowed very naturally from the beginning. There are a lot of one-takes on the final recording of that song that we kept from the original demo we did in 2017, like the guitar solo, lyrics, and a bunch of the core elements. When it feels right it usually is right. We had the unique luxury of coming back to this song with fresh ears in 2021 and buttoning everything up before the release.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWY4MPunbTY

THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: I also read that Matt was instrumental in picking ‘Version Of You’ as your first single. Could you talk about this more? Did you have any other songs in mind?

MITCH: Imagine being at a table with all your favorite foods. What do you eat first? Luckily, for us, the myth, the legend, the voice, Matt Pinfield, selected "Versions Of You" for our first tasting. Matt has been with us from the very beginning, and we’ve been blessed to have spent enough time with him to know that he knows what’s up... and "Version Of You" is scrumptious and delicious... Bon Appetit!

PAT: We felt like the imagery of a searching for a different moment of time with each other and ourselves reflected today, and Matt was on the same page. Can't argue with a legend!

THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: You also have a new EP titled, ‘Your Drug’ due out this Summer. How was the recording and writing process like? What can listeners and fans expect to hear?

PAT: Well as we said, the recording process spanned different times and time zones, so it was quite the experience. Listeners can expect to hear a late night party in New York City - Champagne, Grey's Papaya and all!

MITCH: All the fun of a late night in New York City with none of the hangover!

THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: What do you hope is the overall takeaway listeners experience from your music? Besides Quantum physics?

PAT: In the midst of all the tough times we've been through, the party is coming back, let's all be there.

MITCH: Ultimately, we're doing our small part to spread a little excitement and joy around the world... if we can also help promote Quantum Physics, then even better! Lol We really put a lot of love into this EP, so if you like love, you'll probably enjoy this, as well.

THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: Switching gears... What is everyone’s go-to karaoke song?

MITCH: George Michael's "Father Figure"

PAT: Rihanna - "Stay" - I like to throw a more rock version of it together to surprise people.

THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: Seeing as you guys did a cool cover of an iconic 80s Hall & Oates classic? What 90s classic jam would you give the January Jane treatment to?

MITCH: Oh wow, where to begin! So many choices, so little time! Funny enough we actually just completed 3 INXS covers.

PAT: BMG asked us to look through their catalog of artists and INXS is one of our favorites bands. So we jumped on the opportunity - hopefully you'll hear one of those covers on your favorite new show or movie soon! We've always wanted to Jesus Jones - Right Here Right Now (and Van Halen's while we're at it :)

THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: To end... Is there anything else you guys would like to add? Thanks for taking the time out!

PAT & MITCH: Have a great day, but have an even better day with a little JJ in your life!


Pre-order January Jane's - Your Drug EP here.

FOLLOW JANUARY JANE:

Twitter // Facebook // Official


So, we have more on January Jane later this week, as I chat with Matt Pinfield himself about the band in part two. So stay tuned!


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