header image: jANINE; by Paige Strabala
words: echowave hq
the multifaceted musician carefully treads a thin line between joy and sadness
make no mistake about it, janine was born to make music – and her sophomore album, pain and paradise, proves it. the sixteen-track project is a career-defining body of work that highlights the Aotearoa musician as one to watch.
it took over five years to record this album, but that seems to have worked out in janine’s favour. she has absolutely perfected her craft, which means that there’s not a single dull moment throughout the lp’s fifty-minute playtime.
the best part about it, though, is that each of the creative decisions that shaped this project did so with purpose. every melody, every lyric, every bit of cheekiness – or the lack thereof during the more gut-wrenching songs on the album – has a clear intention behind it.
treading a thin line between darkness and light, janine’s lyricism cuts deeply, with faultless aim; it moves you, and then leaves you repeating the cycle all over again when it’s done.
as janine comfortably inches closer to the global spotlight, now’s your chance to fall in love with her artistry, which masterfully blends slinky R&B vocals with intriguing, genre-blending production.
to celebrate the release of pain and paradise, janine has listed out the five things that inspire her the most.
check ’em out below.
feelings
Nothing writes itself faster than an intense emotion… or a soft one with the space to observe it. I like to explore and analyze my feelings and their source. There are usually so many unexpected layers that are complex and beautiful. I feel like the most simple details are often the most honest and poetic.
travel & nature
In my experience, inspiration finds you when you stop looking for it. I love being in nature and in awe of the beauty. How a waterfall, tree or sunset can often say more than any lyric or painting. How the colours and feel can never be fully replicated by any other medium. I love the sound of nature. I’m quick to get out the microphone to record rain or birds.
I also love traveling the world and experiencing new cultures, food and music. There’s so much creativity in exploring and breaking day to day patterns.
lives, events, and people
I’ve always written about my experiences and the people I’ve experienced them with. I’m always very honest and vulnerable in my music because thats the type of art that I’ve always gravitated to. I feel so honoured that my music resonates with people wanting to do the same thing. It creates an incredible community that I am extremely grateful for.
Driving, showering, walks
I’ve always known that the majority of my ideas have come while driving, showering or taking a stroll. I’d never really understood why until i read The Artists Way, where Julie Cameron explains how unstrenuous brain tasks allow the brain to go into a diffused state enabling access to the subconscious and encouraging creative intuition.
Live music, performing, and meeting fans
This is kind of a two-parter. I know I’ve merged a lot into 5 which is bending the rules a little. I love seeing others killing it in their field, no matter what the field, I find it inspiring. So it’s extra special to watch people perform and connect.
I also find one of the most special things about doing music is being able to perform live and meet the fans. It’s so easy to get caught up in the numbers but seeing a real person singing the lyrics makes everything feel real.
To know that the music has had a positive effect on someone and to see it on their face… that for me is the most special and moving thing of all.
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