Meet Nova Scotia-based artist, songwriter and producer Ian Janes.
You can find out more about Ian and his music online at ianjanes.com. You can also follow him on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, Bandcamp and Spotify.
20 Questions with Ian Janes
1. Your first job.
Hantsport Home Hardware (my parent’s store).
2. The job you always wanted as a child?
Musician.
3. Your pet peeve.
People having (usually very loud) speakerphone conversations in public places.
4. Your hero.
Ray Charles.
5. Your biggest indulgence.
Beer and potato chips … the dream team.
6. One thing no one knows about you.
Answering this question is kind of in conflict with the question itself!
7. Three things you would want with you on a deserted island.
Beer, chips and my family … not necessarily in that order of priority.
8. The one word your best friend would use to describe you.
Funny.
9. If they made a movie about your life, who would it star?
Definitely, Brad Pitt if he hit the gym before shooting.
10. Hero or villain?
Hero.
11. Your life’s motto/mantra.
Let’s make some stuff.
12. The last book you read.
The 2nd Game of Thrones book.
13. The song getting the most play on your Spotify playlist right now.
Mr. Fool by George Jones.
14. If you were a cartoon character, what cartoon character would you be?
Kermit the Frog … although he’s a puppet … does that count?
15. What will it say on your grave marker?
Husband, father, grandfather, (?) music maker.
16. Who would you most like to have dinner with?
Quincy Jones.
17. Your idea of happiness.
Making music with great people.
18. If you could go back in time, what would you tell your twenty-year-old self?
Don’t waste time. You have less of it than you think you do.
19. The one thing in your life that makes you most proud.
My family.
20. To be or not to be?
To be.
Meet Ian Janes
Ian Janes’ latest album, Episode 5, is a genuinely timeless listening experience — a collection of pop songs that have been deeply influenced by soul, R&B and jazz, but both the production and songs transcend genre and era. There are both programmed beats and live drums, vintage analog keys alongside modern digital synths, jazz-inspired horn soloists, layered guitars, and beautiful, expressive background vocals, all driven by Janes’ rich, compelling voice.
Aiming to find a more personal and proprietary way of delivering his music, Ian has paired his fifth album with a physical companion book of lyrics, photos and narratives about the writing and recording process. Both the book and digital album are now available exclusively on Bandcamp.
Janes’ 2017 record Yes Man was nominated for four 2017 Music Nova Scotia Awards, a 2018 East Coast Music Award and given 4 out of 5 stars by Rolling Stone France. In 2017 his song “Can’t Remember Never Loving You” (Hill/Janes) was prominently featured in the TV show “Nashville.” In 2019, he co-wrote and recorded music for the acclaimed HBO documentary series “The Case Against Adnan Syed.” In 2020 Ian’s song “I Do Thing” (Aielli/Frey/Janes) was released by emerging country artist Kylie Frey and went to #1 on the Texas Regional Radio chart.
You can find out more about Ian and his music online at ianjanes.com. You can also follow him on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, Bandcamp and Spotify.