Jane Q is a Los Angeles-born musician discovered her music at an early age, finding inspiration in the artists and songs she listened to growing up. As a child, her interests fluctuated from performing to songwriting, eventually finding her middle ground as an artist that could do both. After time spent studying and writing with friends at Berklee College of Music, her sound morphed into a cohesive meld of the folk, R&B, and pop music that inspired her youth. Through introspective lyricism, jazz-infused instrumentation, and melodic storytelling, she’s created a sound that is equal parts catchy and surprising.
On her debut EP, “People and Places,” Jane Q brings each facet of her musical personality into sharp focus. Inspired by a period of transition and the growing pains that come with change, she crafted a distinct sound that’s all her own. With the opening track, “Yearbook Quotes,” Jane Q takes a subtle trip back in time to dimly lit jazz bars in the heart of Chicago or New York. Trilling beats boom beneath piano and layered harmonies, creating the perfect intro to an artist that expertly blends classic jazz sounds with modern urban beats. Next up is the soulful, “Don’t Wanna Be Here.” Wrapped in atmospheric jazz instrumentation, her vocals melt over the groovy melody as she says goodbye to a relationship that no longer serves her.”Sugar Water” brings us back to a moment of reflection. Doused in sunshine, the melody personifies the moment light reflects on the surface of the water, creating a dreamlike shine. As she questions the status of a relationship, she finds the illusion is never really what it seems. “Good Intentions” is the kind of track that leaves reverb echoing in your soul. Psychedelic and disjointed rhythms buzz and trip alongside Jane Q’s pristine vocal riffs. It makes for an unforgettable listening experience you’ll want to hear again and again. The final track, “Fourth of July” is an urban-meets-pop chillout single reminiscent of lazy summer days surrounded by friends. It’s cascading melody floats effortlessly, sizzling beneath Jane Q’s smooth vocals. The perfect goodbye for an EP that captures a moment in time.
With the release of her debut EP “People and Places”, I got the opportunity to talk to Jane Q on all things music;
Hi Jane and welcome to OLC! So tell me how did you develop your passion for music?
I started playing music at a young age, which is pretty generic. I took piano lessons when I was little and always loved to sing. The turning point for me was combing those two passions, and being able to sing and accompany myself on piano. From a young age, my little brother and I both had a practice log to track the hours we practiced each day and what we accomplished in those practice sessions. It just so happened that my brother and I were interested in music, but i’m sure my parents would have figured out some other way to teach us discipline if we had other interests we wanted to pursue. Both of my parents are also super creatively inclined. My mom grew up singing, dancing, and performing in plays and musicals. My dad played french horn in his high school band, was a fine arts major in college, and picked up the guitar later in life. Though neither ended up pursing creative careers, they are both so incredibly supportive of both my brother and I, and our plans to pursue a career in music.
Your musical styling’s are heavily influenced by R&B, growing up which artists did you look up to and how did they shape your sound?
The artists i’m inspired by the most aren’t necessarily the artist I sound most similar to, which I think confuses people sometimes. I’m inspired by Anderson Paak, who always has been and always will be my musical hero. I’m inspired by Nai Palm, front woman of Hiatus Kaiyote, who was proof to me that there is room for artists, especially female artists, to be their most authentic selves. I’m inspired by the local sounds that came out of my beach town, and out of neighboring Long Beach. I’m inspired by the Carol King songs my mom used to sing when I was little, and the Grateful Dead songs my dad plays on guitar constantly. I’d like to think I draw a little inspiration from everything I see and hear.
Your new single “Fourth Of July” is out now, what inspired you to write this song?
This past summer my two friends/bandmates Johnny Hall and Colette Nourie rented a place in Studio City. I drove out there one day in late June with Henry Ordendorf (friend/bandmate) to work on final mixes for some tracks we wanted on the EP. It was probably 100 degrees out there, the AC barely worked, and Henry had some new music he wanted to show Johnny, because they have their own project together called KAYA. So I had johnny send me a new beat he made that morning and I went outside with my notebook, my phone, and a drink. This place in Studio City was an airbnb, and the guy was living in the main house which was pretty much on top of the little room my friends were renting. And there was a little patio between both structures that looked like the trippiest desert oasis. Lots of overgrown plants, a lot of colors. So I sat outside and I wrote. Then I went back inside and recorded what I had. That first take ended up being the final recording.
You have a new EP on the way called “People and Places”, what can people expect from it?
People can expect some really honest narratives
Why the title “People and Places”?
It was honestly one of the first titles I thought of when I tried to package up these collection of songs with a title. The tracks are about my experiences with different people, in different places. I wrote it down on the whiteboard in Johnny’s room on top of the list of tracks we had going, and we both agreed that would be the title.
What song on the EP means the most to you and why?
I really do love all the songs, but “I Don’t Wanna Be Here ” is especially significant to me because it is the song that set the entire concept for the project into motion, even though I didn’t realize it at the time.
Are there any plans to make a music video for the single “Fourth Of July”?
I would love to make a music video for Fourth of July, but I’m currently in Boston studying at Berklee College of Music. And there is snow on the ground here, which is not quite the visual I had in mind for this song. But hopefully the next time I’m back home in LA my band and I can film something to go along with the song. Maybe the airbnb guy will let us back in his backyard, which would be perfect.
I love the jazzy vibe of this EP, any plans to take your sound on the road, I’m sure there are a lot of jazz clubs in the states that would love to have you?
We would love to get on the road and play some new places. I do the booking, so right now we are just limited to the number of emails I can send to venues a day (a lot), and all the details of planning a stretch of shows in a row in different places. The dream would be to hop on a tour as an opening act.
What’s been the most memorable venue you’ve performed at and what made it special to you?
I’ve gotten to play some fun venues and clubs with my band in LA, Boston, and New York. But I think the best shows are the ones we play in basements. Our school has a house show culture, and groups of kids rent out big houses in the neighboring towns, and throw shows every weekend. Those shows are always so fun, and are the perfect space to test new things out and just see what happens.
What’s next on the agenda for Jane Q?
More new music and more shows! I’m also working on making some cool merch.
Thanks for stopping by OLC Jane, it was an absolute pleasure having you, but before we go is there anything you’d like to say to all your supporters out there?
As an independent artist, any and all support really means the world. Not just to me, but to all independent artists. So please keep taking chances listening to music you wouldn’t normally listen to or checking out artists you haven’t heard of.
If you want to stay in the loop about releases, shows, and merch you can give us a follow on instagram @whoisjaneq
https://soundcloud.com/jane-fishman/fourth-of-july-3
neillfrazer@hotmail.com
