Jean Pack On 60s Pop, Synths And Slay Babies
Ahead of the launch of her second single, Birthday, Niamh Hayes – aka Jean Pack – talks synths, 60s pop and touring.
The clanging opening guitar chords of Jean Pack‘s second single Birthday teeters on breaking into a squall of fuzz-punk before sidestepping into a beam of sunny, melodic 60s pop. And this is the beauty of Niamh Hayes’ latest release, the big-haired, glitzy charm of The Shirelles, concealing the razor-sharp strike of a Shangi-Las flick-knife.
The first-listen to Birthday on Friday 27th June builds upon last month’s release, Ruby, which saw the I Dreamed I Dream synth-player “mining in [her] dreams.” Both tracks are expected to feature on Allora, a new E.P. scheduled to drop on 25th July.
Listen to and purchase Birthday by Jean Pack using the player below.
Interview with Jean Pack
The G-Man: Where in the world are you right now and how are you feeling?
Jean Pack: Ciao a tutti, sono nell’angolo, i miei capelli stanno benissimo.+
What music was around you growing up? Can you remember the first time a song properly stopped you in your tracks?
I liked CDs a lot. Wouldn’t It Be Nice by The Beach Boys shook me when I was about four. I loved feeling sorry for myself and listening to Life on Mars by Bowie and embodying the god awful small affair to the girl with the mousy hair. Goldfrapp and The Sugababes are also great.
What was your first instrument, how did it come into your life, and what’s your fondest early memory of it?
My first instrument was piano. My school offered it as an extracurricular class. When I got the Casio keyboard I loved messing around with all the sounds and beats on it, instant gratification, few buttons and keys and sounds were happening.
What do you consider a good morning?
Sun out, [and then] two options: either making a coffee at home and drinking it at the window, or meeting [my friend] Naoise on her break in a Carrie Bradshaw way.
At what part of the day are you most prolific? Why do you think that is?
Can’t say for sure but can definitely say not earlyyy in the morning. I need my time before I get stuck into something.
Not necessarily influenced by their music, what direction taken by a band or artist appeals to you most?
Cindy Lee is an artist I’ve discovered recently. Amazing! No music on Spotify, no Instagram, only Bandcamp, just a fantastic 32-track album called Diamond Jubilee. I’ve watched a few live shows on YouTube and the stage presence is brilliant, handbag on stage, glittering outfits, a few clicks of the fingers. The handbag on stage – definitely an appealing direction.
You’re already part of I Dreamed I Dream — so where did the spark for Jean Pack as an entity come from?
I was very lucky to slowly integrate myself into I Dreamed I Dream as the synth player, after hiding out in [vocalist/bassist] Claire Aherne’s wardrobe for a while. When I eventually came out and started playing they didn’t realise I’d not been there before.
After kind-of branding myself as a keys player for a few years in college, traumatised by the “reality’s” of my course I decided to not play keys for awhile and tried out something new.
That’s when Jean arrived, her name derived from a play on the word ice pack. Not an ice pack, a pair of frozen jeans used to keep yourself cool: a Jean Pack.
Tell me about your grá for 60’s pop?
Love it! Mama Mia moments, drama on the hills, the highs set up by the lows, melody, drama, tambourine, triangle, yes.
Similar to your previous single Ruby, your second single Birthday is pure 60s pop. Where did the idea come from?
I didn’t set out for it to be any kind of way that’s just what happened. But a girl did teach me how to tell time in school and that really opened a lot of doors for me.
Bands of the time like The Shirelles had the sweetest melodies but the subject matter for many of the songs were unlike anything heard on mainstream radio at the time. The words to Birthday quickly take a dark turn too. What attracts you to that?
I wouldn’t say I’m necessarily attracted to the dark turn, I like different songs for different reasons. They could be happy, sad, dark and probably mean different things depending on the day the listener is having. I wrote the words I wrote, not certain why.
Where was Birthday recorded and with whom?
Birthday and most of the songs on the EP were recorded in Big Child Studios – Lee Road with Caoilian Sherlock (The Shaker Hymn, Saint Caoilian).
That middle vocal nod to “Happy Birthday” — was that planned or something that emerged organically in the studio?
Well when I got to that part of the song there was really no other option.
What plans are there for an E.P. or an album?
So my first EP Allora is coming out on the 25th of July. Five tracks.
Who makes up Jean Pack’s Slay Babies?
Awe the babies. We’ve got Shane bangs the drums, P.J Qsack on guitar, Cara McStunnin on keys and a mix of inchworm/mick flare/chicken burger on bass. And they really do slay.
Her hair was long,
She made me bleed.
She gave me time,
But I can’t read.
She wrote it down,
That’s not okay.
I wanna go to your birthday.
Birthday
By Jean Pack
What shows have you coming up?
On the 11th of July we are supporting Skinner in Anseo Dublin.
Where does performing live bring a song that the studio simply can’t?
Energy, Shane banging them drums, the Babies slaying.
What is the oddest experience you’ve had when playing live?
Sound checking while people were eating their Sunday roast on the stage.
What one thing would be a major improvement to Cork as a city for live music?
Practice space in town.
What does the rest of the summer look like for Jean Pack?
Looks great xo
Birthday by Jean Pack is available now from jeanpack.bandcamp.com
Jean Pack Tour Dates
Jean Pack play Anseo, Dublin with Skinner and Baggles And Butch on Friday 11th July.
For more on Jean Pack visit jeanpack.bandcamp.com
+Translation: “Hello everyone, I’m in the corner, my hair looks great.”
*Grá (pronounced graw) is the Irish word for love or affection.
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