Deeply rooted in the blues, with an overpowering love for Ska and dark folk … Ann Jangle answers some questions about her music.
Good day, Ann. How are things?
Well, I’ve just got back from a week long, totally random mission along the coast up to Jeffreys Bay. So, I am in my element!
Firstly, I see you had some hard luck recently with a guitar that was stolen. What happened there? What goes through a musician’s mind when a beloved instrument is stolen?
Wow, what a mood changer.
Okay, so I have just typed and erased my answer to this question about 15 times now. I have no way of answering without sounding like a very disturbed individual who is about to murder every car guard south of the equator. In a nutshell, I kinda felt like the universe ripped my heart out and shat all over it while laughing uncontrollably at my tears. I don’t have a husband or kids or anything like that; I have my music. So when your pride and joy gets taken from you, you kinda lose some hope in humanity and question whether this pipeline dream is worth it. On that note I have to say that my faith has been restored as I have been blessed beyond belief by so many truly amazing people. If I had been given these gifts and contributions before my guitar was stolen I wouldn’t have been so grateful as I am today.
You released a new track, “Oh mi Madre”, about a month ago on Soundcloud. Before that, most of your tracks were uploaded about a year ago (or more). What was the strategy behind releasing the one track recently? What is your general view on releasing online versus releasing albums, in the current climate of the music industry?
Since uploading the first album over a year ago I have been working on the second album. The new album is much different from the first album and I have really gone out of my way to bring about a big “Festival, Get up & Lose your Shit” vibe. Still with much depth as the first, but with more “balls”! Many collaboration happenings, brass section and other instruments all coming together for a very fun album. I can start calling us SKA-infused right about now. After the guitar incident I had to put things on hold as I am recording with different producers at different studios (there is method to my madness, I promise) and had to spend money on new gear rather than studio time. “Oh mi Madre” is an acoustic song I could easily put out there for people to listen to. You have to keep people stimulated, entertained at all costs. People get bored and forgotten quickly in a scene where every second person is a “musician”.
Your music has a very strong blues-bluegrass-rock onslaught (I do like the Facebook-description of “dark folk”), though you certainly don’t limit yourself in terms of genre exploration. Where do your passion and aptitude in this onslaught come from? When did you know this would be your vibe?
I have always been a big fan of all genres. I remember in one month watching a 50-piece symphonic orchestra in Stellenbosch followed by the industrial metal band, Rammstein in Spain, Italy and France (I got free tickets) and then watched this random Gypsy band at some hippy jol. I can appreciate all genres. (Except for Afrikaans backtrack doef-doef kak that has completely raped and warped a very big part of the so-call music scene in South Africa. Also, there are a few other genres I don’t quite get, but hey, let’s not get technical now.) I started my music career as a “deeply rooted in the blues” artist. But my love for SKA and dark folk music has just completely overpowered me. Music is a constant flow of creative energy and one just has to go with it. I’ve heard of people getting annoyed with bands that have one style and then do something a bit different on their next album. I think it’s brave and spontaneous and I totally get it. The most incredible artist I have ever come across who has mastered this is Tom Waits. I have no words to express my utmost admiration for this man. I always knew from a young age that I was destined to be creative, as on many occasions I jumped out of classroom windows during class at school, failed subjects, got expelled due to complete boredom. I have walked out of just about every job I have ever attempted. I just don’t get how you can work your whole life to make some other asshole rich. I just can’t. Call me a rebel or whatever. It just doesn’t make sense. I am not a fan of school systems either. It kills creativity. Wow, I am completely going off topic here (might still be a bit woozy from last night’s chaos of a braai I went to). Next …
It’s not the easiest of vibes to make an immediate impact regarding radio play and immediate throngs of fans, though, is it? How do you feel about the “state of the scene” in this regard, and how do you view your place in it? What does “success” mean to you?
Hahaha! A 4-in-1 question – sneaky!
1. No, it’s not easy. If it were easy everyone would be doing it.
2. State of the music scene? What music scene? I try not to think too much about the so-called scene or my place in it. I’m really just trying to focus on getting my “boogie” on. People get too technical and forget to enjoy what they do.
Both in live shows and recordings one of the strongest qualities that comes through in the delivery is your vocal work – overwhelming, riveting, seductive. Do you have any particular philosophies regarding vocal/lyrical partnership with instrumental work? And where the hell did you learn to sing like that?
HAHAHAHAAAAAaaaa! I have one philosophy: “Just go with it.” I’ve never had any form of vocal training or gone to music school. I am a self-taught guitarist and no one taught me how to write songs. Like I said, I just went with it.
I notice you’re quite the tattoo enthusiast. Where does this passion come from? What about an image or saying makes you decide: “I want to get this tattooed”, and what do your current tattoos convey?
Indeed. I have always been very intrigued by tattoos and I find them extremely sexy, unless they have anything to do with dolphins, Chinese symbols or a partner’s name. All my tattoos are “travelling” or “air” related – probably two of the most important things in my life. I need a super-big amount of personal space! It gives me time to think and just be comfortable with myself. I never used to be like this. There was a time when the thought of being alone petrified me. Now I just get annoyed being around people too much. I really do need to be in my own space quite often. I also love mandalas. I have a few of those tattooed on me. It comes from a very ancient form of Buddhist meditation. The patterns have always intrigued me immensely. I am currently sponsored by Cape Town Tattoo Social Club owned by tattoo artist Milo Marcer aka Mr Lucky. Tattoos are a form of rebellion. Every artist is a rebel in one way or another.
You’ve been on the scene for quite some time. Any particular highlights you’d like to share from your experiences thus far? Any not-so-highlighty moments, or places you won’t be revisiting anytime soon?
Yoh, so many highs ... and so many lows … The guys who opened the first doors for me on my musical journey always told me, “Remember Jangle, music is the highest of highs and the lowest of lows.” This quote has literally saved my life. So far it has brought me great joy as well as many ruined relationships and tears. But hey, the show must go on.
I am grateful for the good and the bad – both have taught me a lot.
There are quite a few venues I won’t be visiting again ... ever. Firstly, we make music for your enjoyment. You booked us, so you should know what kind of music we play before you book us. If you don’t like it, don’t be a knob. Throwing a fanny wobble and asking us to play “Hotel California” or “a little softer in front of a big audience” only makes us play louder, forcing us to blow your speakers. And no, I will not pay for it, you fucking doosh.
What does the near and far future hold for Ann Jangle?
Woohoooo! The future. Super-excited! I am leaving my flat in Cape Town beginning of August, selling my car, buying a kombi, shoving my band mates in and travelling to wherever the road leads us until May next year when a few of us will be heading to Berlin. Due to a gigantic backlog at the British Embassy, my British passport won’t be arriving in time for me to catch summer over there this year. We already have some gigs lined up in Berlin and Amsterdam. I have also had the great privilege of meeting the old manager from the band Sublime who will be hooking us up in the scene over there.
What is the meaning of life?
I’m not quite sure of that, but I am sure of this: Life doesn’t have any meaning without Love, Laughter or Music.
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