10 Questions with Stockholm born, Janice
Janice is an unstoppable powerhouse in this new age of R&B. Her childhood was surrounded by music, creating her own performances from the comfort of her front room, and now in front of dedicated fans. She began singing in a Gospel Choir, which has imprinted the music she curates today. Her debut single Don’t Need To, found fans in the likes of Zara Larsson and Charlie XCX, establishing her to become Sweden’s most exciting musician, right now.
Since her debut years back, music is Janice’s passion but her work outside the industry helps us resonate with the empathy of the young star and her work with the Mental Health organisation, Suicide Zero, which aims to reduce suicides in Sweden. Every aspect of Janice’s realm is motivated by the core of her real-life experiences, making her music and soulful voice that evermore beautiful.
She is currently in the most exciting time of her life; modelling, debuting as an artist and preparing for married life, Janice sat down for 10 Questions, one her past, present, and future…
Thank you so much for taking the time out to speak to Industry Me! How have you been?
Absolutely my pleasure! I’ve been really good, these last few weeks have been hectic with different projects and everything coming back to life again, I’m so happy and grateful for that.
How magical has the reaction to your latest single been?
Amazing!!! Magic is one of my favourite songs I’ve released and I’m so humbled by all the support and love on it. It’s been so liberating showing this facet of myself and I can’t wait for the music video to drop. It feels really special and honestly, I think it’s the best thing I’ve done.
What is something in your life that you would deem as magical?
Going through an inner journey that’s led me to reconnect with my integrity and purpose in what I do and want to do. Working on myself led me to bloom in ways I’ve aspired to bloom in for a long time. That has led to magical surreal things and I feel more grounded and safer than ever. I’m so proud and excited for what’s to come.
You started singing in the Tensta Gospel Choir, how has Gospel transcended into your life today?
Gospel has definitely left its imprint on me. In the ways that I want to express myself in my music, in the ways that I sing. I really thought I could sing before I joined the choir, but it’s there I actually began to SING, for real.
I saw you did modelling too! How does that differ from the feeling of creating music?
It differs a whole lot! Music is my passion, it’s everything for me. Modelling is quite superficial, and I actually was very uncomfortable in front of the camera when I started going on events and red carpets and stuff. But I quickly grew into enjoying it a lot in that sense of making my cover arts/music videos and seeing it as an extended version of what I want to express as an artist. I always aim to evolve and challenge myself and modelling has definitely made me step out of my comfort zone.
You really do it all, and so effortlessly, I am so inspired by your work with Suicide Zero, tell us a little bit more about them and how important mental health is for a creative.
Oh, it warms my heart so much to hear that, thank you for the love. Suicide Zero is a non-profit organization that has been working since 2013 to radically reduce suicides in Sweden. There is a lot of taboo, fear, and stigma around suicide and mental illness, therefore, they work to increase the knowledge of politicians, journalists, health and medical staff, and the general public.
I’m so proud to be one of their ambassadors and the trust that they have in me in telling my story and my experiences. Their work is extremely important to me and a lot of people. I will always keep spreading awareness about this huge society issue, I don’t want anyone to go through what I and my family did. Until there are zero suicides, there’s a lot of work to do and I’m so grateful for Suicide Zero and everything they do to aim for a society without any suicides.
As an artist, you have a lot of different people both on your team and in the industry at large that want your time and energy, which can be a big load on your shoulders. Put that together with the competition and the pressure to always be ready to perform and that can be very taxing mentally.
Your music quickly found fans in a huge number of people, when you create a song, who do you initially make it for, you or your listeners?
When I sit down to write music, I try to compose songs that evoke the emotions in me that I get when I’m touched by great artists and musicians. And my hope is, that it will evoke the same emotions in my listeners.
If we were to look at you recently played on Spotify right now, what would we find?
NAO’s new album “And then life is beautiful” dropped recently, she’s one of my favourite artists. Also, Kwaku Asante, absolutely loves his voice and sound.
What has been your highest high and lowest low of this year?
March this year marked 10 years since my father died. Every year at that time I get reminded of what happened and what I lost. My and my family’s deepest trauma resurfaces. And even though I’ve processed my grief a lot in therapy, that time, that date throws me back, I’m 16 years old again and my whole world turns upside down. 10 years without him, 10 years since everything changed and I couldn’t really grasp it. But for me and my family, we carry each other through it, we’re always there for each other, through thick and thin.
My highest high was being able to perform and sing again in front of PEOPLE!!
Though there were restrictions and a limited audience it was magical, enjoyed every second of it. My highest high was spending time with my family, all of us gathered again in the countryside, a week filled with love and pure bliss. My highest high was finding out I was going to fulfil one of my biggest childhood dreams and I can’t wait to share it with the world, but I have to keep it to myself for a little while longer.
Congratulations on all you do! If we were to speak this time next year, where do you hope to be?
On stage, touring!!! Doing what I love with people I love. Another crazy thing is by this time next year I’m going to be a married woman!!!! I’m marrying my best friend. Aaaaaah that’s grown-up shit! Can’t wait.
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