Global Interpretations #03 Guest Mix – Jane Doe – Southern Australia
Hailing from South Australia, and recently gaining some serious ground on DNB platforms across the Globe, Jane Doe DNB has been making waves.
With releases on some of the best of the current wave of heavy drum and bass labels, including the UK’s VTO and Imagine Audio out of Atlanta, Georgia, I think it’s fair to say she’s here to make her mark on the contemporary scene.
We’re buzzing to have the opportunity to showcase a 60 minute Global Interpretations Guest Mix encompassing exactly what makes her tick. We have a no holds barred policy on this mix series, so what you get to experience is a direct interpretation of the journey the DJ wishes to take you on. No constraints. No rules.
So with all that said, let’s catch up with Jane and see what she’s been up to!
Jane! Welcome IN!
Thanks for having me!
You live in a small farming town out there in Oz, with minimal opportunities to DJ or go out raving, so finding a platform across the ether to share your talents must be incredibly rewarding?
It is very fulfilling stuff to share and experience people enjoying the fruits of my creativity!
Living rurally, I’m blessed with the best of both worlds – the countryside is my sanctum and peace, the city is where I can fully let rip. Balance is important, and sacrifice is needed to ensure that balance is present.
You’ve been producing for around five years, but what about life before Jane Doe? Tell us a bit about your musical back story?
I’ve always loved EDM and been into high energy stuff.
Looking back, I leaned towards EDM in music at school by doing some weird stuff with recording melodies and harmonies on the Casio and layering them, essentially making remixes of the shitty songs we learnt to play. Out of school I loved making beats on the Playstation on the Music2000 game too.
I didn’t really do anything other than that going into adulthood. I never really thought of producing seriously, It seemed too hard and expensive and not something within reach of an average Aussie chicks grasp anyway.
The story on why I took up production is quite personal, but in a nutshell an existential crisis was in effect, and someone I respected deeply told me to get cracking, and just go for it after I told them what I REALLY would love to do . So I grit my teeth and got stuck in.
The covid era gave me the time to find my true DAW fit (Ableton), deep dive on tutorials and tinker away, learning and then self releasing my efforts. In turn I gained some DNB producer friends overseas that were kind and honest in their critiques.
I never expected to get attention for my stuff, which is partly why the Jane Doe moniker suits even more.
I was happy just creating and sharing with a handful of like minded people. But things started to happen!
But you started DJing AFTER producing due to incoming set bookings?
Yeah! That’s not entirely out of character either, I often do things weird /wrong way round or way later than other people as a general rule in life haha!
What a great way to promote yourself and your material though!
It’s extremely cool!
Who did/do you look up to as DJs then, in order to formulate a performance style of your own, as many producers start off behind the decks first? And that can be any genre BTW, as I’m sure you’re into all sorts of EDM?
To be honest I’ve never looked up to DJs in terms of style and emulation. I taught myself how to mix just doing what I thought sounded good, learning the fundamentals and playing the tunes I loved. At the end of the day I’m just a producer who can also DJ, I enjoy it but I enjoy making music more.
I generally appreciate a wicked selection over performance, however I do get pumped when I see my peers doing some absolutely gnarly drops or tricks!
On the subject of EDM, exactly what other styles of music are you into? What might we catch you listening to on a Sunday afternoon stroll for example?
99% DNB for this creature, but there’s always room for trap, breaks, dubstep and basshouse in the EDM spectrum. I’ve definitely made some of these other genres but only released one basshouse track for a laugh.
I’m pretty open minded and enjoy most types of music except country music, it is so shit.
Urgh. yes. We agree on that!
Travelling to gigs must be a bit of a trek if you live so far from any major cities?
It’s definitely a trek but I’m so used to it. I like driving, road trips are a vibe and I could have been a truck driver I think. Right now It’s a bit trickier due to the cost of living, and I have to pick and choose bookings carefully to ensure I’m not putting myself out of pocket.
And have you had any overseas opportunities yet?
No, I haven’t had the chance to DJ overseas yet but honestly it’s on my dream list. I’m all about bringing that global vibe, so fingers crossed I will be jet setting and spinning tunes around the world soon!
I am always interested in peoples creative flow and their creative process, both behind the decks and the studio monitors, so with reference to the music you make, what do you find sparks off your creative ideas, and how do you manage those ideas to their fruition?
The spark often comes from a variety of things. It could be an emotional reference, an intent to create a specific bassline or melody and sometimes unexpected sounds I create or have heard just evolve into a track. Whether I’m behind the decks or in the studio, I pay attention to how certain rhythms, textures, or melodies resonate with me and these become the initial sparks for new ideas.
To manage these ideas and bring them to fruition I rely on a structured yet flexible workflow. I start by capturing the initial inspiration then experiment with different arrangements and sounds, allowing room for spontaneity (which I also to refer to as ‘happy mistakes’ haha)
Collaboration and feedback from peers are also crucial as they often provide new perspectives that help shape the concept into a finished piece.
I’m at a point right now where I desperately need to set aside dedicated sessions for focused development, where I can refine and iterate on those ideas without distraction.
Do you find that your living location affects your final productions? For example, the way gritty inner city environments might influence edgy tech-step, or a seaside location might help to create lush liquid soundscapes?
No, it doesn’t, You can create and evoke any story or vibe wherever you may be. It’s all about what’s in your head and heart. I mean I’m making dystopian neuro in my little house next to a sheep paddock for gods sake haha!
You have a tidy little set up, consisting mostly of Ableton live 12, Arturia MK3. Presonus studio monitors and headphones. What else is on your shopping list?
I’ve upgraded a little bit and am now using Adam Audio studio monitors, M- Audio interface, Beyerdynamic DT770 headphones and a new MSI laptop with a shit tonne more space for all the plugins I desire. Still got the Arturia, it does the job well!
There’s quite a healthy release schedule on the horizon, so tell us a bit about what’s coming up?
Soon out on BrainRave there’s neuro/heavy dnb on a collab EP with Faux Realz from the US and Dialective from Estonia. The collab track we have done is wicked. Definitely not what you’d expect, and a step into different sound territory for all of us. The other tracks we’ve done for the EP individually….and that’s a bit of a secret surprise on what’s going on there with those ones.
I’ve still got these few liquid releases coming up too. An EP with Vibe City featuring a collab with my Adelaide based friend DT3 and collab track Dialective on his upcoming liquid EP Dialect Audio too.
Another track I’m super keen to get out has just been signed to Dirtbox also.
I’ve been working with SIGL from the US lately, he and I are super similar in what we like and how we work. We just released a free download remix of Boats n Hoes from the Step Brothers movie, absolute hilarity in that one. Pretty crude lyrics – but we don’t give a shit, it’s about fun.
Justin (SIGL) is very talented but a low key kind of dude and I think he is well overdue to get some more attention in the scene. We have an absolutely massive track in the works, and I want to see him get some more traction via that release.
And finally I’ll have a track out on an all female neurofunk VA with VTO next year. MEL is curating it and taking submissions for that so any females that want in, get in touch with her asap!
Moving away from music directly then, you mention anxiety and the problems it has caused you in the past. It’s an emotive subject, and everybody who is affected by it has an individual story to tell.
I often find myself being the awkward one at the rave who is generally much happier dancing than talking to humans. IRL networking is a daunting and quite taxing task! Please share if you can, how you deal with your own anxiety, both in and out of the scene?
I’m naturally predisposed to anxiety and in the past was hyper avoidant to anything that created anxiety or heightened it. Seeking help from medical professionals, understanding the beast and recognising it for what it is when it rears its ugly head has been vitally important in me being able to do the things I want to in life, instead of being so bloody scared of things all the time. I personally found cognitive behavioural therapy super helpful and highly recommend it!
As I’ve gotten older I’ve got a lot less tolerant to my anxiety over-riding things too. The “life’s too short” concept in full effect and louder than ever.
I also tell you that the kindness of the drum and bass community and friends within it has been incredibly good for me overcoming the performance anxiety with DJing. Their support has been instrumental in helping me be brave and enjoy the experience and opportunities that have presented. I don’t think they quite realise the huge impact they’ve had on my life.
