Janice Whaley

Rank #8 San Jose, CA Alternative / Experimental / Vocal

About

Members: Janice Whaley

Sounds Like: The Smiths, Kate Bush, Björk, Siouxsie And The Banshees, Sarah McLachlan

Label: Unsigned, Independent Artist

Bio: Awarded San Francisco Bay Guardian's 'Best of the Bay 2011' and SF Weekly's 'Best of San Francisco 2011,' Janice Whaley is a unique singer who uses her voice to create all instrumentation entirely out of samples of her voice edited in ProTools. In 2010, Janice took on the Herculean task of coveri... See Full Bio

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Just Released!

Status

: Want to make an official Smiths Project music video? There's free merch and promotion in it for you: http://t.co/xk1l1nizQ3

Press

“Wow. Janice Whaley's new album sounds like what having sex with Kate Bush must be like.”

— Thomas Lennon, Twitter

"I've never known anyone to approach a task with the clear-headed vision and unwavering dedication that Janice has shown on The Smiths Project. Embarked on with love and accomplished with style!"

— Curt Smith, Co-Founder, Tears for Fears

“Janice Whaley put her mind to making a 71-track a cappella tribute to The Smiths. After a year of hard, inspired work she not only succeeded, she made a very beautiful, admirable, no, ASTOUNDING a cappella album. Morrissey, et al, you should be proud of her”

— Tony Visconti, Legendary music producer to Morrissey, David Bowie, T.Rex, Kristeen Young

“So to cover one Smiths song, and do it well, is extreme effort enough. To cover every Smiths song, within twelve months, ventures into the realm of epic heroism. The Smiths Project - being 71 tracks recorded over 52 weeks in 2010 by Janice Whaley - is testament to the fact that such a hero exists. Whaley's achievement is truly extraordinary, not merely because of the added caveat of undertaking the entire task using only the sounds she could produce with her voice (looped, layered and lacerated by electronic wizardry), but because, taken as a whole, the finished piece transcends its original objective.”

— Simon Goddard, Author of Mozipedia: The Encyclopedia of Morrissey and The Smiths

“She doesn't just sing Morrissey's words in majestic songs like "I Know It's Over" and "How Soon Is Now" but re-creates Johnny Marr's shimmering guitar effects, the timeless bass and drums ... plus the overwhelming sense of optimism and dread that consumes the music.”

— Aidin Vaziri, Chronicle Pop Music Critic, SF Gate

“…she's a testament to just how charming, creative and arduous the modern tribute can be.”

— Stephen Kelly, Guardian UK

“The effect is positively Björk-like, recalling both the drama of Selmasongs and the experimental heft of Medúlla.”

— Chris Martins, LA Weekly

“The gorgeous recordings, given a feminine touch and featuring more heavy breathing and beat-boxing than has ever been associated with Morrissey and Marr.”

— Marc Hawthorne, SF Weekly

“The fun in hearing Whaley’s inventive covers is the variety of different approaches she takes in layering her wonderful voice, from making “Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want” sound even more detached and mournful…to her liberal use of vocal distortion on “What She Said,”… Or just take in this almost angelic-sounding version of “Hand in Glove.””

— www.slicingupeyeballs.com

“As a lifelong smiths fan, I'm blown away by Janice's versions, the arrangements, her voice... I hear the songs in a whole new way.”

— Thomas Lennon, Actor, comedian, writer, director and producer. Lt. Dangle on Reno 911!

“For me, The Smiths Project personifies why we all love music. Janice is the rare artist that might not know how talented she is...well, the cat's out of the bag. Congratulations and don't stop. Ever.”

— James Roday, Psych star Shawn Spencer

“Many congratulations to you on your ambitious Smiths Project. It is the feat of a true apostle - once it's over you shall officially be anointed Saint Janice of Smithdom.”

— Simon Goddard, Author of Mozipedia: The Encyclopedia of Morrissey and The Smiths

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IRRADIADOR
Hi, I've heard your introduction for Pa tchWor k Li fe....Sounds great what I can hear!....love your music. Oh, the artwork is lovely. Best wishes from Mexico City.
Sills & Smith
Janice, your interpretations of The Smiths songs are revelatory. This is a glorious reinvention and a homage at the same time. Amazing!! Frank Smith
The Mad Pride
I'm loving your version of 'How Soon Is Now'. Incredible vocals! Well done. :) Rowan
Sheilah Oceanluna
what a treat to come across your work. amazing technique you've used in these songs.
Sozo Heaven
Great stuff!, I would rather not go, back to the old house..

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Questions

Ask Janice Whaley anything...

Q: Oh, duh! I just now scrolled down and found the sharable sample of How Soon is Now. Thanks! I think it's one of the best acapela covers I have ever heard!

A: Hi Dan, Everything can be heard in full at my Bandcamp store: http://janice.bandcamp.com Thanks for listening!! xo Janice

Asked by Dan Von Hoyel. Answered on Sun Sep 02 2012

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