#MusicExchange: Janie Bay releases new album: Prisma

With personal themes of family, love, passion, loss and encouragement, it is a masterful offering of diverse moods and musical textures that play widely between emotive ballads, lighthearted pop and a good dose of electronic adrenaline.

The seven tracks, although seemingly different, move beautifully between emotions, and the album includes a superb version of a popular Fokofpolisiekar tune.

Photo by Altin Ferreira - Image: Supplied

The new decade means:

A lot of challenges, but I am up for it!

Fame is about:

Using it to help people in any way you can.

Retirement will happen when:

I'm not too sure. Probably when I am forced to do it.

I don't do:

Meat.

What does music mean to you?

Therapy, love, community.

My music is about:

Things I go through personally, which hopefully helps people relate and not feel alone.

I would love to co-write with:

John Mayer.

Where do you go for inspiration to create?

My ideas usually come when I am doing something. I could be driving, washing the dishes, vacuuming, which is not the best because I have to run to my phone and record the idea or type it out as soon as possible.

What is the most enjoyable aspect of your work?

Definitely to create.

My style icon:

Dakota Johnson. I love her casual yet classic style.

The song you must do in every show:

“Die Heelal”.

Which living person do you admire most and why?

My brother. He has been the best example of how a person can make a life for themselves from very little and work their way up and he is the best person.

What is your most treasured possession?

Probably both my late granny's wedding and engagement rings. It's very special.

It’s your round, what are you drinking?

At the moment, probably whisky.

Dream gig to do:

I love theatre-style shows. The intimacy is very special.

What makes you stand out?

I think that I have been willing to do what I feel is right and true to me in an industry that has been known to be quite conservative, which makes me ‘different’ automatically.

Nicknames:

Jane, Janes, Janers, Jaans (to anyone who is reading this and calls me this, I don't like it :P), Jay, J-Bay, Bay, Miss Bay.

If you were not a musician, what would you do?

Probably something in fitness. Pilates instructor possibly or maybe a children therapist.

Pick five words to describe yourself:

This is hard, but I will share what others have said. Positive, role model, inspirational, caring, loving.

Five favourite SA albums:

Springbok Nude Girls - Surpass the Powers
Roan Ash - Whiskey to My Soul
Faraway George - Burnt & Found
Fokofpolisiekar - Lugsteuring
aKING - Dutch Courage

Who would play you in a Hollywood blockbuster and why?

Well, people have said Blake Lively and I look alike when my hair is long.

Photo by Altin Ferreira - Image: Supplied

Photo by Altin Ferreira - Image: Supplied

What song changed your life?

When I was young, most songs on Alanis Morissette's Jagged Little Pill album. I think this album opened my eyes to the real world to a large extent.

Favourite fashion garment:

Jeans.

Give us some real proper slang and what it means:

Ja-Nee. It usually means agreeing with someone in Afrikaans.

What do you complain about most often?

Unnecessary noise.

Your greatest achievement:

In music, probably when I received a Gold Award at the International Palm Film Festival for Best Music in a Music Video for my song "Can't Be the One".

On stage, I tend to:

Smile a lot.

Wishes and dreams:

To be able to be close to people again, playing shows, travelling and for all of us to be more conscious about our planet and to be softer on it.

Social media:

www.janiebay.com | Facebook | Twitter | Youtube | Instagram