Brooklyn-based electronic/industrial rock band Jane in Space are known for their hybrid sound that at times includes synthwave and funk elements, lending their music a distinctive style.
Their debut album launched in 2016, and since then the band released their acclaimed Gorerunner EP. That record was co-produced and mixed by Keith Hillebrandt (Nine Inch Nails, David Bowie).
Multi-instrumentalist and producer Jesse Jensen and vocalist Tom Vickers of Jane in Space kindly agreed to take part in our ongoing Protest Interview series, raising salient points about the world we live in.
Hello! Please introduce yourself/yourselves and give a description of your sound/musical vision.
Jesse: We are Jane in Space. Reviewers frequently compare our sound to a mix between Nine Inch Nails and Depeche Mode, which is both immensely flattering and no coincidence - our last album, Gorerunner, was co-produced and mixed by sonic alchemist Keith Hillebrandt, who designed sounds for NIN’s legendary album The Fragile. Our first album, eponymously titled Jane In Space, trended more synthpop.
What is/are the main personal, national, and/or international issue(s) concerning you the most these days?
Tom: Living in a world where scientifically proven facts are often deemed as “opinion” or “fake” is a definite issue which worries me.
What song, video, or lyrics quote of yours best represents your current viewpoint on this/these important topic(s)?
Tom: “Just stop, and look. Just stop, look, and listen” from “Weightlessness,” [a track off] our first record. I think it’s important to be well-informed regarding what is going on in the world.
What’s your favorite song, video, or lyrics quote by another act or artist that best exemplifies, or at least partly relates to, your current viewpoint?
Tom: Personally, I always leap to Enter Shikari’s lyrics, who are a consistent inspiration to me. Their lyrics are overtly political. The song “Radiate” has the line, “to keep us falling apart, we’ll write songs in the dark.” I think continuing to create art through all the turmoil is the right step to take.
What other forms of protest, besides through your music, are you involved with to get your message across?
Tom: I’m not really. I just try to keep myself open-minded and not judgmental. Which is very hard at times.
It’s easy to judge and criticize others, especially in these unsettling times of overt intolerance, ignorance, and insults, but the fact remains that we need to work together. Objecting to and protesting against, but then working on a solution to the problem is critical in ensuring that positive change occurs.
Tom: I really agree that it is easy to judge or criticize, and we see it every day. It is also increasingly nasty and visceral! People I know on social media from all political persuasions are guilty of the painful insults the anonymity of the internet gives free rein for them to utter.
I hear both “libtard” and “trumptard” bandied around all the time, amongst some much more guttural insults. How is that a constructive solution to understanding the differences between us? It isn’t. I recommend musician Myles Dyers’ podcast The Quest For Global Empathy. Like you said, we need to work together.
Name an action to take, or a campaign/charity that would be worthwhile to contribute to, for your cause.
Tom: I have given money to Greenpeace and Oxfam in the past, but honestly I don’t donate as much money to causes I believe in as I should.
What gives you hope for the future?
Jesse: Dysfunction at national levels has galvanized more local political action.
Where can we purchase/stream your music and find out more about you?
Easiest way to listen is Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1yoRV2D5XUYL6gIe1tywhy
Facebook is the best way to find out what we’re up to: http://facebook.com/listentojaneinspace
You can also check out our website for all our music videos and links:
