JANINE STANGE AND CLEAR BLUEINTRODUCING...
JANINE STANGE AND CLEAR BLUE
Now here's a
lady who's songs are starting to make waves over this side of the
lake. After the release of her solo album "One Way"
Janine teamed up with some cool musicians to record the excellent
CLEAR BLUE "Silver Lining" album, a record filled with
great songs, I managed to catch up with Janine when she was
taking a little break from recording her new solo record for a
brief interview, here's what went down.
Nicky:- Can you tell me why you decided to form a band after the
release of your solo album "One Way" a couple of years
ago?
Janine:- It started out that my producer put a band together of
really great people for me to play the material off of "One
Way" live. We ended up creating new music as a result....
the next bunch of songs were recorded with them, and their
invaluable input..which is how Clear Blue was formed.
Nicky:- I noticed that your solo
material is heavier to that of Clear Blue, was that intentional
or is that just how the songs came out?
Janine:- I'd call it more the result of searching through
experimentation with different musical styles...we always want to
grow, and I definitely know this is a step in the right
direction.
Nicky:- Musically what are you
aiming to achieve with Clear Blue and will you still be doing
solo albums?
Janine:- Musically, we tried to achieve or perhaps even introduce
and uplifting sound and atmosphere into people's lives.. In
regards to solo albums, yes, in fact I am in the studio working
on one now...and I have to say that I am very excited about the
material...if i'd have to describe the style it is more in the
stylistic vein of 'Real Fantasy' and 'Anything' on silver lining.
Nicky:- Who influences and
inspires your writing?
Janine:- I have an imaginary friend who whispers words and hums
melodies in my ear... HA!!!! no seriously..the funniest things do
spark me to write...also many times it is simply the music that
Mike (guitar/producer) gives me to write over that leads me to a
melody.... also..I pray every day for God's influence on my
writing -more than anything I want people to turn to this music
to find an answer or to find encouragement....
Nicky:- What the best thing
about making music?
Janine:- It's just never ending...there is no limit to what you
can do.....It is comprised of so many layers - there is the
writing stage, recording stage, performing stage..etc. etc..And
most importantly music is powerful..it can impact people in ways
that nothing else can.
Nicky:- Tell me about the songs
on Clear Blue?
Janine:- OK... I'll make an attempt to make do a one sentence
breakdown of each song: 1.SILVER LINING - Simply means: don't let
the junk of the day dictate..change things for the
better..always. 2. SURRENDER - an up-beat love song type...but
It's also from a Christian perspective, I like to think of it as
something Jesus would say to someone just accepting Him into
their life. 3.OH WELL - simply put: be a servant. 4. REAL FANTASY
: a look into someone's thoughts who found the person that was
made 'just for them'... -and I must add it has an awesome sax
part in it! 5. I FORGOT - I started writing the lyrics to this
one on a pizza box at practice one night!
6.TRUTH - the unshakable fact
that without HIM I am nothing. 7. UN-CHAINED - my synopsis of a
strong message that someone preached at my church 8. GROUNDED -
different sound but cool, and it's about humility. 9. ANGEL -
alot of people love this song..the music is very moving...it
pulled alot out of me -it's about having to
step back in a relationship...in order for the other person to
step forward. 10. ANYTHING - there is a scripture in the Book of
Isaiah that says: God would carve a river in the desert for
someone - and this song is the result of the impression that it
made on me. .(Nicky, when I listened to this particular song the
other day it just moved me so much, the tears just swelled from
my eyes!! A gorgeous song).
Nicky:- What actually made you
choose music as a profession?
Janine:- It's one of those "I always knew" deals...I
could never ever see myself doing anything else.
Nicky:- Are you happy with the
way things are moving along for you?
Janine:- Absolutely! Things are really starting to move
forward..and I'm expecting great things.
Nicky:- How long have you been
singing and did you take lessons?
Janine:- All my life - but if you don't want to count the years I
sang alone by my self :) then it would be 4 years.. And yes, I
have taken classical vocal training.
Nicky:- What was the first and
last records you bought?
Janine:-I think the first record I bought was by a Christian
artist- Margaret Becker, who is still around today..the album was
The Reckoning...I just bought Deja Vu - Crosby, Stills, Young,
and Nash...my producer suggested I get it...for the harmonies.
Nicky:- Of the
eighties scene what would you say was the most happening band?
and which were not?
Janine:- I was quite young in the '80's and didn't pay attention
to much of the bands....the main artist that I listened to was
Amy Grant.
Nicky:- What is
your popular alcohol of choice
Janine:-Don't drink.....but I do use rubbing alcohol on my face
from time to time.
Nicky:-What kinda
food do you eat over there?
Janine:- wow, you're asking the wrong person...I can eat stuff
that would be classified as weird from ANY country's
perspective..for example for lunch today I ate pickles and onions
on a toasted bagel with mustard....I love fruit, and more natural
foods are becoming the trend here.
Nicky:- Are you
going to pass out with excitement at these questions?
Janine:- Nah, this is fun
Nicky:- How is the scene in your
home country?
Janine:- Honestly, it depends where you are...I was just having a
conversation with a DJ who is from the West (of me) who had a
different take on the scene than I...
Nicky:- Tell us
your most humorous story?
Janine:- Aside from the stories I could tell you about me falling
off chairs and down stairs.....When I was about 14 I was working
in a card and gift shop - and one day I just started seriously
belting out some song while I was cleaning off shelves -as if no
one were around....but there was!! A guy walked from the back of
the store, he was picking out cards the whole time I was
singing...he was kinda laughing when he came up to pay....I was
soooo embarrassed!
Nicky:- Is there
anything that you would like to say to the music fans in Europe
and the UK?
Janine:- OF COURSE! Thankyou all for your warm and encouraging
emails!! I really appreciate it....I promise I will come to 'your
side of the pond' and tour!! Until then make sure you visit my
website: www.janinestange.com and keep e-mailing! I write back :)
Thankyou!! :)