Up-and-coming pop quartet Jane’s Party just released their second full-length album, Hot Noise. We caught up with band members Tom Ionescu and Zach Sutton to chat about their new album, their North York high school rivalry and following in the footsteps of Neil Young.
Who is Jane and what was it about that night that made you want to name your band after it?
Zach: We can’t really divulge the details, but if you listen closely enough, the information is in the songs.
So, basically, your song cycle is like a mystery, and the last frame will finally reveal this epic party, like The Hangover in album form?
Zach: We haven’t decided how the whole thing ends, yet, but we like giving cryptic details throughout the music. You know how, when your friend comes up to you and says they’re interested in a show, and then someone else blurts out the ending? We can’t risk that happening, so for now, we can’t let anyone know too much about Jane.
You guys hail from North York, where Geddy Lee and Neil Young once stomped around.
Zach: I grew up on Avenue Road and Wilson, and Neil Young went to Lawrence Park for a couple of years of high school. Having good delis around is great for bands.
Instead of being fuelled by ramen noodles and Pabst Blue Ribbon, you, Geddy and Neil were all fuelled by pickles and pastrami on rye.
Zach: There’s also great music schools, like Allegro Music on Avenue Road and Snider School of Music on Yonge Street, but you’re probably right. Delis are the key to these bands.
It’s interesting you two are even in the same band, given you attended rival high schools.
Zach: I went to York Mills and Tom attended Earl Haig, and every year, before school started, we had our big school year introduction with a video of our team defeating Tom’s. Big, big rivalry.
Tom: People would see Zach and me together, and it would actually be like seeing Romeo with Juliet.
Zach: It wasn’t quite as romantic, but we didn’t come together until we were both at York.
Is there something about being up at York University, where you’re close to Toronto but far away enough that you don’t necessarily have to be influenced by every new electronic trend of the week?
Tom: In some ways, that allowed us to hone our craft and become who we’re going to be. By the time we got down to Queen Street, we already had our sound.
Zach: It’s like how the best hockey players come from small towns. When you live in North York, the best thing to do is jam in somebody’s basement.
Is there still buzz about Toronto’s music scene?
Zach: Whenever you meet someone who’s not from the city, they talk about Toronto like it’s a big deal, but being from Toronto, it’s hard to look at it that way. Some local musicians take it for granted, but people definitely say that Toronto has a buzz around it right now.
With a name like Jane’s Party, it seems like you’d know something about a hot summer night. What’s your recipe for a good time?
Tom: Just bring some beer, man. We’ll provide the entertainment.
Zach: Dance tunes are the thing. Our music isn’t like what you’d hear in a club, but we like having a dance floor. We don’t want to see people sitting.
And how will the Jane’s Party boys spend their summer?
Zach: Everyone in the band owns a bicycle. We like to cruise around.
Tom: I like to go to the park and have a coffee, read a book. Trinity Bellwoods is fun.
Zach: I like to play ping-pong if there’s a table.
