If you haven't caught on yet, Jany Green is unsurprisingly taking the indie music world by storm. His latest single, Little, has already amounted over 300,000 listens on Spotify since its release less than a month ago, earning him the cover of one of Spotify's biggest playlists, Lorem, which features artists like Billie Eilish, Tyler, the Creator, and Brockhampton. His unique sound blends elements of hip-hop, R&B, and indie-pop with good vibes and fun energy to create songs that you can't help but smile and dance to.
We were lucky enough to chat with Jany about Little, his musical influences, the Black Lives Matter movement, and more. Read the interview below!
Interview by D
6/8/20
YP: So you’re originally from Anchorage, Alaska - how long have you been based out of LA? What brought you to California?
JG: I’ve been based out of LA for a little over 2 years now. Since I was a child, I’ve always looked at California as paradise and wanted to eventually move here, but the music scene here is definitely different from Anchorage, so continuing to pursue my dream in California was a better step for me.
YP: How would you describe your music genre-wise?
JG: That’s a good question, I still really can’t tell where my music stands genre-wise. It differs through every song I do. I guess it has tastes of hip-hop and alt-pop? Some indie influence? I’m honestly not sure.
YP: What music did you listen to growing up?
JG: OutKast was definitely a big impact for me. To name a couple: B2K, P.O.D., Linkin Park, Bow Wow, 50 Cent, Sade. I really just listened to a lot of music. My family was really diverse when it came to music.
YP: When did you first really get into music?
JG: I don’t know if it’s cliche, because everyone says it, but music has really been a part of my life since I can remember. Since I was 8 years old I would try and make little songs and perform them for my family. But the first time taking it seriously was in seventh grade when a friend of mine got a recording program - I think it was called ACID - and I made an actual song and performed it in a talent show. And since then I haven’t stopped making music.
YP: Did you ever pick up an instrument or just vocals? Did you ever have any formal musical training, or are you self-taught?
JG: I played trumpet in 6th grade, that’s about it. I had a keyboard that I messed with growing up as well, but I never actually knew what I was doing. I still to this day wanna learn the guitar though. But yeah, really I’m self taught.
YP: You seem to be a fan of horn sections in your songs, as heard in Call My Parents and your new single Little. What has been the inspiration for that sound?
JG: Me and my producer Ralph Castelli are huge fans of OutKast and just bright sounds in general. My main focus in these songs were to make the listener feel joy and positivity. The horns give such a nice vibe to the beats when it just jumps out at you.
YP: What’s the story behind Little?
JG: When I was writing to the beat, I felt this jolt of happiness. The idea behind it was finding that love and doing any and everything in your power to capture it. No matter how big or small, any droplet of love would bring the most out of you. Obviously I’m mentioning a girl and trying to find her love for me, but this can be with a person, hobby, or even within yourself.
YP: What does your songwriting process usually look like?
JG: If me and Ralph are together, which is most of the time, we’ll vibe out to some music and drink a couple beers. Then he’ll start making the beat and I’ll catch a vibe and hum a melody. So as he’s structuring the beat, I’ll come up with a concept and start writing off of that. Then when I feel like I have a good chorus or verse, we’ll hook up the mic and I’ll lay it down. If he’s not around, I have my headphones on in my house anywhere and just write to a beat - usually while a cartoon show is playing.
YP: What are your go-to cartoons?
JG: Nowadays there aren’t too many that keep my interest, but I’ll watch, like, Bob’s Burgers or Regular Show. But my all time favorite has gotta be Courage the Cowardly Dog.
YP: Did you and Ralph work together back in Anchorage, or did you meet in LA?
JG: I’d known of his music back in Anchorage and he knew of mine, but we never actually created anything together. When I was moving to California, it turned out he was moving too, and when we were settled, I had sent him a song for some feedback, and he loved it. So we got together and started making music immediately.
YP: That’s a great connection. Ralph is something of an indie legend in his own right, and you two sure know how to make some bangers together.
JG: That means a lot, thank you. He really is something amazing. I tell him all the time.
YP: Speaking of indie legends, how does it feel being the cover of Spotify’s Lorem playlist? That‘a a major accomplishment, being the cover boy for huge artists like Kevin Abstract, Tyler, Billie, and Wallows, to name a few!
JG: It’s insane! I’m extremely grateful and super proud of it. I’m a huge fan of all of those artists as well... it’s kinda crazy seeing my face on a playlist with all those amazing artists for sure.
YP: What are your musical goals for the near future? Are we going to hear you rhyme like Andre 3000 anytime soon?
JG: Hmm... I guess as of right now, I’m taking it a day at a time - just got my team together and we’re coming up with some dope plans for the future. I’m just happy people are listening and feeling some happiness from the music I’m making. But, oh yeah, shout out to 3K, he’s a big inspiration. I have some songs in the vault that I feel the listener will be impressed with.
YP: Love to hear that. We need more summer hits soon! As a self-taught solo artist, is there any advice you can offer to the young aspiring musicians out there?
JG: Absolutely. I just want to say stay true to yourself; make it because you’re passionate about it. When you feel like giving up, don't. Nothing happens overnight, and you can really do anything you set your mind to do.
YP: 5 desert island albums?
JG: Damn, that’s hard... Camp by Childish Gambino, Speakerboxxx/The Love Below by OutKast, Immunity by Clairo, Tha Carter II by Lil Wayne, Demon Days by Gorillaz.
YP: Great taste, no doubt. I can definitely hear pieces of each of those in your sound. Who are some smaller artists that are on your radar?
JG: Definitely the dude Dominic Fike, Yeek, Omar Apollo, Remi Wolf, Boylife... there’s so many!
YP: Your remix of 3 Nights on SoundCloud is awesome by the way. You really added your own flavor! Could we see a Dominic Fike feature in the future?
JG: Thanks so much, he’s definitely a big inspiration as of late. And for sure! I’m gonna do everything I can to make that one happen.
YP: Last but far from least - what do you have to say in regards to the Black Lives Matter movement and the plague of police brutality and riots in this country?
JG: As much as this situation is extremely hard to see, everyone coming together to fight this fucked up system is much needed, and I truly believe change is coming. It sickens me that this continues to happen over and over and over at the hands of the people that are “sworn” to protect us. The system was not built to protect black people, it was built to keep us down, and it must be dismantled. As far as the riots, no change ever came in this country from people just marching down the streets. The Black Lives Matter movement has my full support, and anybody that can’t get behind the movement is not somebody that I want to be associated with.
YP: Well said. America is in a disgusting state right now, and I honestly can’t wrap my head around how black people are still oppressed, even after so many fights and movements for total equality. It seems like our generation may see something close to the end of racism though, and with that, the end of homophobia and transphobia and anti-Semitism and oppression of all other minority groups... at least we can hope.
JG: 100 percent.
YP: I think that’s everything I have for you, unless there’s anything else you’d like to add or talk about?
JG: I just wanna say thank you for this, I appreciate this interview and you giving me a chance to speak my mind.
YP: Thank you so much for speaking with us! We really really appreciate you giving us your time and such thoughtful answers. We know you’re going to hit it big soon, but we hope you always remember where you came from and never sell out to the corporate robots. You’re a big inspiration to many as a musician and as a human being, and I’ve really enjoyed speaking with you and learning more about who you are. Stay yellow, Jany!
JG: Much love! I appreciate you as well, it really does mean a lot! I’ll always stay me, no matter what; I realize the industry can really try and take you out of your comfort zone, and I won’t let those demons persuade me, ever. I had a great time speaking with you guys as well! Thank you!
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