Kat Harlton
Photo: provided via artist / PR Team
Six-time ECMA nominee and Music Nova Scotia Award winner, Ian Janes, released his seventh studio album, “WeakNights” earlier this year. Janes recently charted on Classified’s CBC Top 20 reaching single, “Wonder” as co-writer and featured artist, and is notably featured in Classified’s brand new single ‘Amnesia’, which samples the song of the same name from Janes’ 2022 album, Episode 5.
Despite being known across the globe as an R&B and Soul-Pop focused artist, Janes was a Semi-Finalist on SiriusXM’s Top of The Country contest, and wrote a Blues song on Matt Andersen’s 2023 JUNO nominated Blues album, “Matt Andersen and the Big Bottle of Joy”. His music has been streamed millions of times across platforms, and has been featured on CTV Morning Live, The Morning Show, CBC Radio One, SiriusXM, Rolling Stone France, and MacLeans Magazine. His first single from “WeakNights”, titled “Share” was written with Grammy and Emmy nominated songwriter, Jamie Hartman (Backstreet Boys) and features David Cook (Musical Director for Taylor Swift) on keys.
I had the opportunity to chat with Ian about his musical journey, the inspiration behind ‘WeakNights’ and more.
Kat: Can you talk about the inspiration behind your latest album?
Ian: I write a lot of songs, so when I make a record it’s because I’ve reached a point where I have the right collection of tunes earmarked for my own artistry. Thematically a lot of the songs on this project are connected to the title track, WeakNights; both lyrically and musically. I got kind of interested in creating songs where the production and feel of the track defies the meaning of the lyric. ‘Sad Bangers’. Uptempo or happy feeling songs with sad lyrics about loss or adversity that feel really celebratory and fun. I find that contrast really interesting and explored here in a few spots.
Kat: What do you hope fans take from the album?
Ian: I hope the record makes people feel good. Specifically that it makes them feel good even if they’re going through a hard time. It feels good to shake your ass and tap your toes no matter what you’re going through!
Kat: What do you find is the most challenging part of your creative process?
Ian: I’m a self managed, independent artist, so honestly I would say that the most challenging part of my creative processes, making time FOR my creative process! Inspiration and creativity require a certain amount of vacancy in your mind and schedule in order to grow and develop. That vacancy can be a really tricky thing to find while balancing life/family/side hustles etc.
Kat: What has been a career highlight for you so far? What have you learned along the way?
Ian: Having my songs used on television is pretty gratifying. In 2017 I had a song in the television show “Nashville” and last year I had a song that I co-wrote performed live by an artist I work with on “America’s Got Talent“. In fall of 2024 and spring of 2024 I had a couple of collaborations come out with the hip-hop artist Classified, that was gratifying.
I’ve learned that it’s a marathon not a sprint. Try to maintain as positive of an outlook as you can muster and let go of the results. Just try to keep focusing on the elements of it that bring you joy.
Kat: What’s next?
Ian: I have a handful of band shows coming up in Toronto and on the East Coast starting on September 5th in Toronto. Then I’m headed to Nashville for a couple of weeks of writing and catching up with industry/friends there.
Connect With Ian
Website: https://www.ianjanes.com