Converge's highly influential album, Jane Doe turned 15 this year. We have commentary on the album from vocalist, Jake Bannon. Enjoy the read and let us know your thoughts on Jane Doe fifteen years later.

How did you feel when the album came out?

I didn’t really feel much of anything to be honest. I’m not the kind of person that celebrates the release of a record or anything like that. Once a release or an artistic project is completed, I tend to move onto the next one without that much reflection. We went on tour the week after the release, the first time as a four piece. I recall that being exciting and challenging for us.

Where do you think the album fits in the band's legacy?

I feel that all music is subjective and it’s meaning/weight changes from person to person.
It’s not my place to talk about our band in terms of legacy or anything like that, we just make music and release records. How people perceive what we do, that’s up to them. 

How the band approach writing?

That was the first album that there was a bit more of a collective effort in terms of songwriting and editing. From what I remember, Nate definitely played more of a role in terms of editing and giving his input into the songs that make up the album. It was also our first proper release with Ben in the band and that was an invigorating thing for all of us. Personally I feel that this is the first album that the four of us really started to work together as a cohesive unit.

What inspired the lyrics?

Just my life at the time. I’ve always used lyrical writing as a way to deal with personal emotional subjects. It’s the same way today for me when I write, etc.

What were your hopes and expectations for Jane Doe during the writing and recording process?

Our collective goal is always to just make music that moves and challenges us in a variety of ways. There were never goals outside of that, even then.

When you were in the studio, how was the morale of the band?

Personally we all got along quite well but there was some pressure due to us working with a variety of professional engineers/assistants. Their clock was always ticking, so that was a new thing for us to be thinking about.

When was the last time you listened to the record? Are there memories and emotions that come back?

We recently played the album in its entirety at Roadburn Festival so I went back and listened to the album for that. Typically we don’t do perform full albums live, so it was interesting to go back and experience an album in that way.

What do you remember most about making the album?

Just the sheer amount of work that went into it. It was one of the first times I really felt completely immersed in the creative process for every part of the record. Derek Hess originally worked with me on the artwork however I ended up working on the project alone in the end.
I remember that it was all just emotionally exhausting, and it set a standard that I put into everything I do now.

What sort of place was your life in when the album came out?

I could barely make rent and writing and playing music was the most positive thing in my life.
Finally I scraped enough money together to get myself out of that situation, but it was a dark time for a variety of reasons.

Did you ever expect the album to have the influence it did?

No. But again I’m not self reflective like that in terms of things I am part of.

Do you remember what you were listening to at the time?

Probably a lot of what I listen to now: A lot of classic metal, hardcore, punk, etc. 

Is there anything about the album you'd change?

As an artist I'm never fully content with anything I work on and likely will never be. 
The album is important to people as is, so I don’t think we’d feel comfortable touch it as we recently did with our “You Fail Me” album.
Thanks for your time, it is appreciated.