The folk artist talks us through her perfect weekend playlist, full of favourites old and new.
If you find yourself on a hike this weekend, headphones on and mind daydreaming about the Laurel Canyon, it might be the perfect time for Just Janie’s ‘Muse and Musician’.
The South Island singer-songwriter’s latest single is a love letter to Fleetwood Mac, musicianship and movement that signifies change, so it makes sense that all these elements also make up her ideal weekend. “I am a creature of habit and simplicity,” she says. “I have memories of days spent at that ever changing river hole. Of childhood with cockabilly nets surrounded by the popping broom. Sticky sunblocked skin. The river hole has always been a place I feel grounded.”
With ‘Muse and Musician’ now out in the world, Just Janie shared the tunes that make for a blissful, inspired and most of all perfect weekend, from a scorned lover’s ode to tunes that evoke memories of Dunedin student flats.
Fleetwood Mac – ‘Storms’
Stevie Nicks wrote Storms about her affair with bandmate Mick Fleetwood. It’s heartbreaking and raw. I also love her final description of herself: “I have always been a storm.” Fleetwood Mac inspired ‘Muse and Musician’, so they have to be included in this list!
Tiny Ruins – ‘Out of Phase’
I went to a Tiny Ruins show in Ōtautahi recently and Hollie was inspiring. I’d worked a background music gig right beforehand and had experienced some really negative crowd behaviour so felt quite vulnerable and raw. Tiny Ruins’ show reminded me about the beauty of music and songwriting. I have listened to the entire discography for the past few weeks, but ‘Out of Phase’ in particular struck me, especially due to Hollie’s explanations of the songs meaning and her ability to share something so beautiful and painful. I cried in the best way. Absolutely mesmerising.
Sig Wilder & Friends – ‘Texasman’
This song captures America and Austin while also having the ability to transport me home, to the rugged dry landscape with its small town pubs left behind in a capsule. Cowboy grit and Americana folk, Texasman is relatable to anyone following their dreams and leaving home. Matt’s talent blows me away.
The War on Drugs – ‘Under Pressure’
The War on Drugs is one of my favourite bands (ever) and their music sounds best when you listen to the albums in their entirety. It’s hard to pick just one song. The band have a mixture of Bob Dylan vocals, rustic rhythms and nostalgia for 80s rock. They’re the epitome of summer heat, blue skies and long road trips.
Dire Straits – ‘Wild West End’
I mean anything with Mark Knopfler’s gritty voice and trademark guitar, but you asked for one! My first vinyl record was Dire Straits’ 1978 self-titled album and I can still remember dancing to this song in my student flat in Dunedin.
Gregory Alan Isakov – ‘San Luis’
This song makes me dream of home, the mountain range outside my window. I found out recently that Gregory Alan Isakov is both a farmer and musician. As a musician, born and raised on a farm this multi-faceted identity is fascinating and a dream of mine. To have co-existing elements of one’s self. San Luis is a song that captures that to me. It’s also like a lullaby.
Her’s – ‘What Once Was’
This song has been in my top 10 on Spotify Wrapped for three or four years in a row now. This song is a vibe! It features on all my road trips.
America – ‘Ventura Highway’
I love the guitar in this track. Bit of 70s nostalgia seeped in warm yellow.
George Harrison – ‘The Ballad of Sir Frankie Crisp (Let it Roll)’
This song got me through some difficult times. It can feel a bit tricky and complicated listening to it now as it sort of sits in a period of grief and struggle but is also healing.
Mac Demarco – ‘Still Beating’
‘Still Beating’ sits in a time capsule for my years living in Dunedin as a student, of student flats, of crushes, of learning, and growing up.