Official Blog

Welcome to The Januariez blog! You can find news and other information about the band here! Thanks for stopping by!

Wednesday, June 24, 2020

New Stuff

Hi Everyone!

So I haven't updated anything since my birthday last year. But I was hella busy.

It's strange to think about past shows when there are no more shows, at least for a while. I was lucky to have a string of good performances over the last year, not only with Virago, but also Love and Fury, and Rebels of Fortune, as well as improv performances with Daipan Butoh, Babylon Death Party, Blood Moon Orchestra, and the Marmaladies. The year ended with a two night performance and studio recording of Amy Denio and her Orkestar Istina. It's cool to be an electric guitarist in an orchestra.

Anyway, the Virago CD was released May 31, and it is available through my website and bandcamp. I am really happy with it. Everything I learned from Guitar Craft, I put it into the recording. And yes, there is quite a story behind it all. Maybe one day it will decide to tell itself. Currently I am working on some material for a documentary, and I should really get back to it.

For now, check this video from Tilted Axes (Peppergreen Media ASCAP) released on the Solstice!

Touchy Subjects

I contributed some video, and I am playing bass.

Until next time.
jane




Monday, January 21, 2019

New Projects and New Music!

Greetings from my basement, where I have been busy working on new music over the last year (more on that shortly).

I just wanted to send a quick note letting you know that I am playing bass in a new band called Love and Fury at Darrell's this Saturday night, January 26, with Zero Down and The Morning After. It is a birthday show for me, our guitarist Bob, as well for Bree and Sam of The Morning After, so the show should be pretty rad! Here are the deets:



Hope everyone can make it out!

As for the new music. Here's the trailer for my new project, Virago. The record is due out late spring, with an exact release date to be determined.


Enjoy!

jane

Saturday, December 1, 2018

Salon Party Dec 8 and a New Record

Hello there,

Apologies for not posting anything over the last year! I've been busy working in my basement on a new project titled Virago. Currently we are in post-production and plan to release a record next year.

You can check out the trailer here:



If you are interested in getting sneak peak of the live show, I am sharing an intimate performance of the new work with my friends Amy Denio (bass/vocals), Gretta Harley (guitar/keys/vocals), and my son, Alex Dillard (drums/percussion) all of whom perform on the record. Here are the details:

Grand Entrance House Concert
hosted by Margo Lauritzen

1803 25th Ave S
98144
doors: 730
show: 800 -1000

Margo and her new band opens. Please message if you plan on attending!

Hope to see you there!
jane

ps: more updates to come...

Friday, November 3, 2017

This is Happening

Hey everyone,

Hope all is well! I just wanted to write to let you all know that I am playing electric guitar in a 20 person orchestra in November! My good friend, Amy Denio, tapped me for the part back in July, and I eagerly said yes without really knowing what this would entail!



I really have no other preview for the show except that these are the weirdest and most challenging songs I have ever encountered, and that I haven't played in an orchestra led by a conductor with a baton since 9th grade. The live show will fill in the rest.

Hope to see you there!

xo,
jane

Wednesday, August 9, 2017

Upcoming Event!

Greetings friends!

This summer has been smokin' hot, especially here in the Pacific Northwest where I have been hunkered down in a basement working my ass off. And now it's time to start sharing my efforts! This fall is guaranteed to be full of promise and surprise!

The fun begins next Thursday, August 17th with the return of Tiny Orchestral Moments. For those of you who attended last year, you know that eclectic musicians from from all over the world are about to take over Seattle! So honored to be a part of the experience! Here's a link to the show:

Tiny Orchestral Moments II


TINY ORCHESTRAL MOMENTS with JULIE SLICK, NIGEL GAVIN, JANET FEDER, PAUL RICHARDS, NORA GERMAIN, ALEX A. FAIDE, AMY DENIO, STEVE BALL and the SEATTLE GUITAR CIRCLE -- IN CONCERT 

An evening of collaboration and Structured Improvisation featuring: 

·         Julie Slick –  bassist with the Adrian Belew Power Trio and Echo Test  
·         Nigel Gavin  – New Zealand composer and world-renowned fretless / Crafty Guitarist
·         Janet Feder – Denver-based composer and prepared guitarist
·         Paul Richards  –  LA-based guitarist from the California Guitar Trio  
·         Nora Germain – LA-based jazz violinist, improvising collaborator with the Orchestra of Crafty Guitarists  
·         Alex Anthony Faide – Argentinean guitarist and founding member of Electric Gauchos
·         Amy Denio – well-known Seattle Jazz Hall of Fame member, composer from Kultur Shock and the Tiptons
·         Steve Ball – founder of the Seattle Guitar Circle, C3 and Electric Gauchos
·         Aileen Bunch – Philadelphia guitarist/pianist with Symphony of Crafty Guitarists, and Tilted Axes, music for mobile electric guitars  
·         Martin de Aguirre – Madrid-based guitarist and founding member of Argentina’s Big Time Trio
·         Sonia Wilson – Auckland-based singer and Uke player, and member of New Zealand’s Gitbox Rebellion
·         Dev Ray – Boston-based guitarist and member of Guitar Circle New England

The performers present collaborative repertoire for layered guitars, voices, violins, percussion and drums -- including structured improvisation that sounds composed, and composed collaboration that sounds improvised. The show unfolds in 360-degrees as musicians move in and around the audience. Immersive surround-sound is complemented by three walls of ambient video, and supported by an orchestra of precise guitarists drawn from the Seattle Guitar Circle and worldwide Guitar Craft community. 

When and Where 
Thursday August 17th from 8-10pm (doors 7:30pm) 
The Good Shepherd Chapel
4649 Sunnyside Ave N
Seattle 98103
Tickets $15 at the door

So yeah! It's gonna be cool!

As for what follows, I am working with my good friend, Amy Denio (who is also involved in TOM), on two of her projects. Performances coming up in September 16 and November 11, and I will send out another blast once we get closer to the date.

Regarding my personal project, the recording is still looming in future, not wanting to be nailed down just yet. The songs keep evolving. Which is fine. (extended breath) In the past, I have rushed through projects rather than allowing the process to be what it is. And that's what I've decided to do: trust the process.

And I gotta say, trusting the process has certainly lengthened the course of the work, but it feels stronger, more developed. As if I'm finally operating from the proper perspective. Kinda like when it's hot and sunny and you're playing in a sprinkler, and you catch a rainbow from time to time. The rainbow is always there, but you only catch it when you're in the right place, right time, and with the right perspective.
 
So here's to people, projects, and perspectives! 

See you Thursday!
Jane








Saturday, July 8, 2017

Today!

Hi again!

Hope everyone is surviving this crazy year! I cannot believe everything that has been happening-in my life and in the world (politics aside). And this morning, I woke up and realized I have a gig today, and I have yet to share the event. What the hell is wrong with me?

Today's Event:

I am playing at 3pm, and Amy Denio will be joining me once again. If you don't know, we have a really cool recording project going on that seems to be morphing into a live project as well. We will be playing through the tiniest amps in the world! Please join us! It's free, all ages, and many other wonderful artists will be there, too!

Also, I want to plug my pal, Alice Bag. She is recording a new album and needs your help! Her last album was amazing, and I had the honor of touring as her lead guitarist in support! Please check it out and send something her way! Here's the link to her Kickstarter campaign!

There is so much more happening, but I am running out of time to write much more! But I promise to deliver a stronger and more detailed update soon!

Much Love,
Jane



Saturday, March 11, 2017

Upcoming Solo Show and Other Stuff

Hello,

Hope everyone is doing well out there. A lot has changed since my last post, and many of those changes have inspired me to be a little more active musically, socially, and politically. Here's what's been happening:

This past January, I performed with my friend Nandi at the Seattle Womxn's March. Historically, I have not been one do march or get involved with a cause, but a week before the march, I got a phone call asking me to play guitar. The prospect was absolutely terrifying. 50,000-75,000 were expected. I fought with myself for a 5 days, questioning my ability to perform. But I had been called-I didn't choose to do this. And for that reason, and considering the climate, I felt I didn't have a choice. So we performed from 10-1 for 175,000 marchers. Here are a few pics:






That box we're on was our stage! Nandi (middle) and I would take turns with Tina (left). Tina would speak, and then Nandi and I would sing and play. And look at the marvelous weather we had!

Then this week, I participated in the Women's Strike. I did not know I would be doing it until the day of when I awoke to learn that the Statue of Liberty had unintentionally gone dark. I took it as a sign! The act had a much greater personal impact on me as woman than I had even considered possible-my physical posture even changed from the event. I could dedicate an entire blog post to what was gleaned from the experience.

On the music front, I have been beyond busy. At the moment, I have a cool recording project in the works. I'm not divulging too many details until we are closer to the release. I will say, however, that I am taking the most unconventional approach-trying things I've never considered doing. It's been very challenging, yet exceptionally liberating. The music should be ready by fall!

That said, I will be previewing some of it on April 7 at Emerald City Music Night. I am playing tow 40 minute solo sets featuring songs I've written over the last 10 years. (Has it really been that long?) Here's the link to the event:

Show April 7
Emerald City Music Night
9336 California Ave SW
Doors at 7; show at 8


My work with the Seattle Guitar Circle continues. We just did a really cool event in Tacoma! Horror-themed Belly Dance! And we performed a little set around the movie Halloween. But I actually played Michael Myers rather than guitar. Ha! Been a LONG time since I did any performance art! There were 2 other Michael Myers besides me, both of which were played by Butoh dancers. I tried to post a video, but looks like the file is too large.  How about a photo instead?


phoro credit: Drumroll Studios

Currently, I participating in an online Guitar Circle course based in Berlin, which is where I went for my Beginner's Course in January 2016. There isn't a set project coming up at the moment, but there are definitely some ideas being kicked around. And I have to say, the people involved are some of the most dedicated to their craft. It's been an honor working with them.

And finally, there is a feminist/queer hair metal recording project in London brewing, and I am slated to be involved with that! It's still in demo land, but it's moving!

So yeah, lots going on! Hopefully I will see you April 7!

Best Wishes,
J-kNee