Janna Pelle
New York is full of artists and dreamers; some are
visionaries, some fade out, but ambition towards a goal and knowing what you
want and what you are worth keep you moving on a fast-paced train to a dream.
Janna Pelle is a visionary and has crafted her
dream so well that as a friend and fan you have to root for and be inspired by
the art she has shared with you.
From Miami, Florida, Janna moved to New York
just about 2 years ago in 2013. I met Janna at an open mic called The Inspired Word, for performers of various types: musicians,
spoken word artist, comedians, etc. Listening to her song, "Machine" from her
first album, “Shameless Self-Promotion” had me
hooked - her stage presence like a magnet draws you in and each song demands
your attention.
Years after her many solo performances at
Inspired Word and other notable venues such as PIANOS and Bowery Electric with
her full band, I've gone from fan to a friend – and still infected by the ear
worm she instilled in me, I finally had the opportunity to ask her questions as
from a fan perspective I always wanted to know.
When I asked her who her influences were, I was
surprised to hear her range from Lady Gaga, Eminem, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, and
most heavily David Byrne (Talking heads) - but such as any artist they make a
mold of their influences and evolve into a creation of their vision and
expression. She explains that even though she doesn’t sound like them, she is
inspired by their freedom and fearlessness on stage, in addition to the fact
that they all create music that is entirely their own.
I also wanted to know about how she gets inspired
for her live performances - a Janna Pelle show is an experience just for the
fact you never know what to expect (but her energy is always present). You
might be wowed by the enchantment of a ballerina (Nadine Azoulay) or handed
some accessories so you feel special when she tells you that you are her
favorite accessory, welcoming you in to her world and making you feel
comfortable. She incorporates themes in many of her shows, and these different
themes always carry a message – she tells me that she usually bases these
themes on her “mood of the week.” Not only are you entertained for an hour but
you walk out with a lesson and a glimpse into her philosophy on life.
A performer has to have presence; charisma
besides a catchy melody or profound lyric. Janna has both. She throws in some
theatrics depending on the song, such as the mechanical marching of "Machine"
or the attention-getter "Crazy" where she smashes the keys, collapses
on the piano for an uncomfortably long period of time, and then comes back to
life with the final chorus at 200 bpm. (Sorry for giving away the surprise).
She recently released her video to her new single,
"City Life" and had a release
party at a venue in the LES called PIANOS. Not only did we get to witness how
beautifully crafted the video was, which shows Janna being body painted to be
part of a NY landscape by artist Trina Merry, we also were treated to hearing the song live
with a segue into Alicia Keys’ and Jay-Z’s "Empire State of Mind" –
it is such an open song about the love/hate relationship we all have with New
York and can all relate to on a daily basis.
In every show there is also a little somber moment, where Janna sings a song about her father that passed away from a rare blood cancer (MDS aka pre-leukemia) called “One Day At A Time,” also on her upcoming album. Previously, Janna released an album called “The Show Must Go On,” about her dad’s diagnosis, and raised over $6,000 for The MDS Foundation from album sales. I recently lost my dad as well in October and Janna was there for me as a musician and as a friend. She made me a video covering a Tori Amos song (“Cornflake Girl,” focusing on the lyric “This is not really happening, you bet your life it is”) since she knows I won't shut up about my favorite singer being Tori Amos – I love the piano hence why I was attracted to Janna Pelle in the first place.
Janna is currently working on a new album
called “Key Change,” her first-ever concept album on the evolution of the
keyboard from harpsichord to synthesizer. Each song is performed using a
different keyboard instrument, and by pre-ordering the album through PledgeMusic, you can get
exclusive behind-the-scenes updates as the album is being created - 10% of
album funds also go to the MDS Foundation towards finding a cure.
So, as usual, I don’t know what to expect – but
if "City Life" is any indication of what is to come from "the
band, the brand" that is Janna Pelle, this beautiful visionary from Miami,
Florida now New York native will set a blaze in her career that she has been
"working like a machine for you, baby" towards since the beginning.
pictures taken by christian neonchaos
Links to get to know the Artist
Jannapelle.com /
facebook.com/jannapelle
facebook.com/jannapelle
@jannapelle on Twitter and Instagram
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