Photo Credits: Eden Shohat
Congratulations on the release of "Loveless!" Can you share what the song is about?
JANEX: Thank you! “Loveless” is about being close to someone who goes a bit absent…the feeling of unease and impatience and trying to trust in a return or reunion. Even though it’s called “Loveless” it’s more about feeling loveless than being unloved—kind of like, “I’m used to your attention, I want your attention, I’m not getting it now, when do I get your attention again?”
Do you have any behind-the-scenes stories about the production of this song?
JANEX: I was working on a different project and feeling stuck when unexpectedly I started humming the chorus (“You leave me, leave me hopeless, you leave me, leave me loveless”). I immediately stopped what I was doing and started recording the song on my phone to later develop it as a whole composition and production. It came very organically from writing the lyrics up to the arrangement. For better impact and richer sound I decided to invite two other musicians who are friends of mine to rerecord the guitars and go for live drums, Hayden Fogle and Austin Birdy.
I read in an interview that you are from Albania! How has your heritage influenced your musical style?
JANEX: Growing up in Albania I idolized Western music—my dad instilled a deep love for it, and together we listened to The Beatles, Elvis Presley, and Michael Jackson. But Albania is big on folk music and traditional poetic power ballads, both of which I borrow from here and there, especially when creating soundtracks.
How has being in New York City changed or enhanced the way you approach music?
JANEX: Oh, New York City really made me grow—both artistically and personally! There are so many inspiring creatives here that I have been lucky to rub shoulders with and learn from—it is really where I started to get seriously into music production (which I studied at City College). That being said, there’s also, like, the hustle. I used to be a little dreamier, but NYC has (and maybe still is) teaching me to hustle.
Photo Credits: Eden Shohat
Other than "Loveless," which of your own songs is your favorite?
JANEX: I really like “Déjame”. It’s my first Spanish/English bilingual song and is just a bit of a vibe. It was inspired by struggling to fit in while working in catering and hospitality when I first moved to New York. I come from a culture where we don’t smile if we don’t feel like it! I’m much happier now that most of my work is creative.
According to your website, your debut EP, "Psychic Whiplash," is coming out soon! What can listeners expect from it?
JANEX: The EP consists of 5 songs that further showcase my work as a producer as well as a performer. They are a bit more electronic and dance-y than “Loveless”. Expect layers of interesting sound and lots of energy. There have been production delays, but I am really excited to share it with the world soon!
Interviewed By Tessa Brainard
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