Check out our interview with talented Alt-Rock artist Neia Jane.
With her upcoming “Break Ur Heart” release (July,2020) written over a year ago when her life-partner was an immigrant and had to leave the country, Neia Jane sings of the pain and trauma she endured.
Accompanied by electronic synthesizers, staccato strings and transportive guitar solos, “Break Ur Heart” tells the story of the struggles and difficulties faced in a long-distance relationship. “I started writing Break Ur Heart in early 2019. During this time I was in a rut at my job, my mental health was suffering, and my boyfriend was in the process of immigrating to the US. There an incredible amount of uncertainty and fear in the air. Old traumas resurfaced for me, and I was forced to face a lot of my deepest pain.” Neia Jane says of the single.
Follow Neia at @iamneiajane
Hi Neia Jane, please tell us a little about you?
Hey, I’m Neia Jane and I am an alternative rock singer/songwriter based in Boston! My debut album, “Magic & Honey,” was released last March, and now I am excited to share my brand new single, “Break Ur Heart.” My sound is an eclectic combination of sparkling synthesizers, distorted guitars, and evocative melodies. Welcome to the inside of my brain!
Describe yourself in 3 words?
Expressive, Passionate, Existential
We’re sure you have been asked this million times but how did you get in the industry?
I grew up with musical parents, and started playing guitar and performing in my first band at 12 years old. I started releasing my own music four years ago, and I have continued growing and evolving since then.
Describe your sound in 3 words?
Grungy, Glittery, Cathartic
Who influenced you and why did you choose to make music?
I remember first realising I loved rock music when I was in middle school as I became obsessed with Muse. I knew every B-side, every lyric, every piece of trivia, pure teen mania. A couple other bands that really shaped me as a young person are Paramore and Metric. Seeing female-fronted rock bands showed me that there was a place for me at the table. I had someone to look up to. I don’t really feel like I decided to do music, I simply answered the call.
Do you play any instrument?
Yes! I play guitar and I’m learning to produce. Break Ur Heart is my first self-produced release!
Do you ever get nervous?
Whenever I am out of my comfort zone I get flashes of nervousness. I have also struggled with anxiety for a lot of my life, so I am definitely prone to nervousness. My good friend once told me that nervousness feels the same as excitement, and it is our perception of the feeling that makes us choose fear. Have to feel the fear and do it anyway.
Tell us about your new single “Break Ur Heart?”
Break Ur heart is an explosion of synths, strings, and expressive vocals, held together by a driving groove that carries the listener through time. It’s an anthem about facing our fears and growing together in love.
What’s the story behind this song?
This song is about an experience I went through with my partner last year, he is an immigrant and unexpectedly had to leave the country for 10 months. It brought up a lot of past trauma for both of us, and in the chaos of coping we found ourselves feeling afraid and heartbroken. The message is that sometimes we will be placed in tough situations in love, we will be heartbroken, and we will be challenged to persevere and to grow. It’s also a celebration of the will to overcome hardship.
What are the five things you can’t live without?
Water, incense, my chunky silver rings, my vintage SG, my notebook.
What’s next for Neia Jane in 2020?
I will be releasing another single in the fall! I’m also working on an acoustic EP that will be a fun way to show another side of my artistry.
Any loves other than music?
I love spending time in nature and connecting to the Earth. I am really passionate about climate conservation and I love finding new ways to cut down my carbon footprint, especially my plastic use. I also love style and fashion, especially vintage and second-hand clothes. There’s nothing more satisfying than walking away from Goodwill with a massive haul that only cost you $20 (plus it’s way more sustainable to buy second hand!!).
Best advice ever given?
Don’t know if this counts as advice, but watching Cosmos definitely opened my eyes to the fantastic reality that there is so much more going on than we can understand. It fascinated me and helped me to begin the journey of letting go of my ego and just going with the flow of the universe. Neil deGrasse Tyson is a hero.
Name one your strengths?
Empathy
Idea of a perfect Sunday?
Going to a beautiful place by the water, hanging up my hammock in the trees, reading, swimming, talking with friends, eating good food, chilling.
What is your own definition of happiness?
Having a daily routine that brings my joy and helps me feel fulfilled, Having healthy and loving relationships, working on creative projects and writing songs, and feeling like I’m more focused on the journey than I am on the outcomes. Deepak Chopra says, “Happiness is a continuation of happenings which are not resisted.”
Do you support any charities?
I make a monthly donation to the Equal Justice Initiative. From their website: “The Equal Justice Initiative is committed to ending mass incarceration and excessive punishment in the United States, to challenging racial and economic injustice, and to protecting basic human rights for the most vulnerable people in American society.”
Here is a link to their website: https://eji.org/
What is your favorite healthy food?
I love a good quinoa bowl with tons of veggies tossed in there, some garlic aeoli, avocado, maybe some sweet potato… mmm
And your favorite cheat food?
Ben n Jerry’s
How would you describe your fashion style?
A little grunge, a little sparkly, a few ruffles, and a lot of ripped up t-shirts.
What do you think of Social Media?
Haha, it’s complicated. One one hand, it’s an awesome way to connect directly to others and it has revolutionized the way we communicate. I love that it allows artists to build their audiences directly, I think it gives us a chance to maintain artistic integrity and stay independent. I also think it is really addictive and it can make people feel shitty about themselves. I use it with care and try not to get too sucked into the void.
Where we can follow you?
Instagram: @iamneiajane
Twitter: @iamneiajane
www.facebook.com/neiajanemusic
www.soundcloud.com/neiajanemusic
Spotify
Photo Credit: Holysmoke Photography
