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Unsigned Spotlight: Jane In Space

Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band.

Jesse Jensen – multi-instrumentalist/producer

Tom Vickers – vocalist

Live set-up/additional musicians on the new record:

Josh Stillman – bass

Andrew Tell – guitar

Brian Korpalski – drums

Paul Feder – synths

For starters, what bands were you guys a part of prior to Jane In Space? How long has the band been around?

We were in a couple of bands together before Jane In Space. We met as hired guns in a singer-songwriter’s band called Rampart. When that went sour, we formed an indie-rock band called Jenny Haniver with another member of Rampart, Andrew, and released one record entitled “Know Rainfall”. Andrew plays live with Jane In Space now and also played some guitar on the new record, “Gorerunner.” All the while, in the background, Jesse was developing the Jane In Space stuff. We played our first gig as Jane In Space in November 2014.

What’s the origin of that name and have you changed the band’s name before?

Jesse loved the name “Jane” and was calling his electronic pieces numbered variations on the name Jane. I suggested Jane In Space as it has this B-movie quality to it, and the name stuck.  

Who writes your songs? What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs and do you think these topics will change over time?

With a few exceptions, our songs begin with Jesse sketching some music that I riff vocal melodies on top of. That inspires Jesse to go back and develop the song further--sometimes just mixing up the arrangement, but occasionally massively revising… which might then push me to write more.

The lyrics can really differ and definitely change over time. The first record had songs about climate change and religion, while a central theme of the new record is the alienation and uncertainty that comes from the speed of technological change at present. I try to write lyrics less about myself and more about other people when I can.  

What bands are currently inspiring the music that you’re making?

As Jesse sent me the music he was working on that became “Gorerunner,” I was listening a lot to These New Puritans’ unique 2010 record “Hidden.” That was definitely an influence to me on the title track “Gorerunner”. Also, The Jesus and Mary Chain influenced how I approached the vocal style on “Eat Your Face”.

Was there a particular band/artist or concert that inspired you to start a band?

I was a huge Britpop fan when I was a kid so that’s what really got me into music. I wasn’t actually in a band until several years after that. Britpop stalwarts Longpigs, a thoroughly underrated band, were my favorite of that period, and certainly influenced me into one day wanting to make music.

What do you do to prepare for a show? Any flexing, exercises, etc …

Ha, no. But that sounds like a good idea. Maybe we should be.

What has been the biggest highlight of the band’s career so far?

Jesse will say working with Nine Inch Nails and David Bowie alumni Keith Hillebrandt. For me, releasing an album that garnered several excellent reviews is definitely a highlight--that made me realize that we had something. Finding out that Rodney Anonymous from Philly punk legends The Dead Milkmen is a fan was pretty cool!

If you could tour with any bands, past or present, who would they be and why?

I would love to tour with genre-busters Enter Shikari because they’re one of the best live bands I’ve ever seen, and they are never scared to try something new in their songwriting process. Plus they seem like nice guys! 

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Thanks for having me. Our sophomore record “Gorerunner” will be released on all digital platforms on July 13th, and on the next day we play our record release show at Mercury Lounge in New York City, alongside American Fever and Aisha Badru. Tickets are on sale now: https://www.ticketfly.com/purchase/event/1710252