January
Thompson was born in Los Angeles, California but now based in the UK after
working with a host of underground DJs and producers. Often compared to the
likes of Kate Bush and Bjork, January has released a brand new single called
‘Too Soon’, which we love here at KBPS, and we caught up with her to chat about the record.
How would you describe your
new song?
‘Too
Soon’ is ambient electronica. It’s song driven so it has a pop element and the
lyrics are more about a longing and playing on the feeling of whether something
is too soon or too late.
As well as the writing do
you work on the production of a record?
Absolutely.
I do all of it. The music is very important to me because my mother was a
classical musician so I go into a song thinking how it will sound musically and
then write the song.
In terms of the sound there
is that classical element but a more contemporary feel too. Was that something
you set out to do?
Art
is a funny thing, as it just sort of happens, and you pull it in if it’s in
your heart. It seems accidental but the Copenhagen Cello Quartet was on it and
it ended up having this classical influence to it, and that was not intended
consciously, but it did end up that way.
You also have a great video
out for the song which has an atmospheric, artistic feel to it. What was that
like to be involved with?
Videos
are, again, a different type of process. I’m not a huge fan of the camera but
when you have photographers and directors [onboard] it’s their art form and so
it takes on a life of its own, and I adore the photographer I worked with,
she’s fantastic. Everything takes on a great vibe and I’m happy how it turned
out.
‘Too Soon’ is taken from
your album ‘Whelmed’. What’s that like as an LP?
Just
even doing an LP these days is tricky. It takes a lot of time and energy as
most people are doing EPs and singles. But it’s kept building. We started at
three [tracks] then another song would come and then another song. Again, the
Copenhagen Cello Quartet, the songwriters and the producers were all classically
trained, and it was a snowball effect. There’s a lot of ambient, cinematic
sound to it but I think the first two singles are strong, driven songs and
great for radio!
Musically you’ve also
collaborated with other DJs and musicians on electronica. Has that shaped your
sound?
It
has shaped how I learned to write songs as again I’m driven towards the sound
of the music more than writing the songs, so it’s basically how I learned to
write. When I was classically trained it was more backing vocals or ambient
sounds. I find electronica music a much more vast genre that you can play with.
Alongside your single and
album do you have any live plans coming up?
We
don’t have anything set yet, but the festival season will have a few things in
Copenhagen in the UK as well, but that remains to be booked!
Alongside your music you
post a lot about environment issues on your social media. Is that important to
you?
Animals
have always been something I’ve been passionate about but now we’re in something
of a crisis with the wildlife and the extinction crisis. I’m drawn to elephants
particularly and the Wildlife Trust is very valuable and do incredible work.
The orangutans in Borneo is another one, so if I can use my voice in any way that
can help these incredible creatures I hope I can.
Finally do you have any big
ambitions or dreams for 2017?
I
would love this album to get the recognition it deserves as there was so many
incredible people on it. I’d love for it to get a stage, and I think it will be
an incredible live act, but keep doing what I’m doing and be part of making
beautiful music.
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