January Jane are a New York City based alt-pop group who recently released their debut music video for their latest single “Versions Of You.” The group unite 80s nostalgia with forward-thinking production cues and lyrics. We were so excited to sit down with them to discuss their upcoming EP, the “Versions Of You” music video, and their love for food.
Play Too Much: Thanks for sitting down for an interview with us! Can you take a second to introduce yourselves and tell us about the role you play in the band?
JanuaryJane: Thanks! I’m Pat Via, the singer and this is Mitch Mitchell, guitarist for JanuaryJane.
PTM: January June has to be one of the catchiest names for a band we’ve heard in a long time. Is there a meaning behind the title?
JJ: Thank you! Well it was a late night in February… just kidding. It all started in January at a gallery on Jane Street.
PTM: You guys are fresh off the release of your latest single “Versions Of You” which is a super fun, electric track. Can you tell us a bit about what the message behind the song is?
JJ: Like the title, there’s a few different meanings behind it. It’s versions of who you are, of life, love , relationships. More importantly, what does it mean to you?
PTM: The video for “Versions Of You” has some sick visuals! What was the filming process like, especially given the pandemic restrictions?
JJ: Filming was a blast! We used double exposure effects to show different versions of ourselves that sometimes can appear from the depths of the subconscious. We had the opportunity to work with Peter Roessler as Director and his team, along with the talented Nicole Sammantha – it was a great experience, especially with everyone testing negative for COVID! Hopefully that will be the last time we have to bring a mobile medical rapid test team to a video shoot! Lol… everyone tested negative, so that was a positive. Overall filming was amazing amid a pandemic.
PTM: Your sound has been described as a modern spin on 80s-influenced pop/rock. Who are your guys’ favorite 80s groups?
Pat: We definitely overlap with our love of all different 80’s music, but my favorites are Depeche Mode, MJ and Prince. There’s also so much incredible music from every part of the 80’s like Joy Division and Kraftwerk to George Michael, Madonna, Genesis/Phil Collins, all the way to Nine Inch Nails, Pretty Hate Machine. The list goes on and on for me.
Mitch: When Pat and I were first introduced, we were dumbfounded by the diversity and size of the union in our musical Venn diagram. It was everything from Van Halen and Michael Jackson, to Metallica and The Beatles. I love the 80’s, but I also love music from just about every decade… including some decades in the 1700’s… Bach was a beast!
PTM: Congrats on signing with BMG! You guys were previously signed on with DJ Matt Pinfield’s label Whiskey Vinyl! Will you still be collaborating with him in the future?
JJ: Thank you…it’s all pretty surreal. Matt’s our brother and is still a big part of the team, we look at all of this as our family just getting much much bigger!
PTM: Your upcoming EP Your Drug is slated for release this summer. What can fans expect from the new project?
Pat: Expect to hear New York City running through the tracks – everything from the train traffic to the clubs, to the late-night craziness and after hour bars. It’s a collection of adventures that really draws our full picture.
Mitch: Our music is certainly a smörgåsbord of our lived experiences in NYC… and we hope, a scrumptious and delicious representation of these events… many of which, in hindsight, seem rather insane! You can take us out of NYC, but you can’t take NYC of our music.
PTM: You have a recurring series called Chef Boyarvia. Are you guys all foodies? What inspired you to post cooking videos on your socials?
Pat: Well of course we are! NYC is the center of deliciousness, so we’ll be getting back to taste-testing all the restaurants around. In terms of inspiration, it was something I’ve always had fun doing, and the pandemic really brought cooking back for me. So why not post it? Gotta have a nice snack while you listen to our music after all 🙂
PTM: You guys are based in NYC and have described your sound as “a late night party in New York City – champagne, Gray’s Papaya and all the fun, with none of the hangover.” How do you feel living in New York City influences your music?
Pat: The New York City streets are running through these songs, so it’s definitely shaped who we are and this EP. I love the competitiveness and the heart of New York, people are here fighting for their dreams, it’s really like no other place on Earth.
Mitch:Pat and I used to take turns hanging out of the windows of our Clubhouse, on 8th Ave, with microphones to capture the sounds of the city… so NYC is literally in our music. Many of the pivotal moments in our musical journey ONLY could have happened here, because in “City That Never Sleeps,” there are simply more hours in the night for these chance encounters to occur… It’s astounding what we accomplished @ 3 or 4am here 😉
PTM: Thanks again for taking the time to speak with us today! It’s been a pleasure having you. Do you have any exciting events or releases coming up that you can share with us before we go?
JJ: Make sure you check out our new video for “Versions of You” and look out for more music coming on Spotify and all streaming platforms. Hopefully we’ll see you this Summer live! See you soon!
