Introducing: John & Jehn

In this brand spanking new feature, we’ll be bringing you exclusive interviews with the newest and best acts we think you’ll love.

Kicking things off in grandiose style are John & Jehn. They’re a French couple, very much in love, who moved from their hometowns to London at the end of 2006. Their self-titled debut (released 21st April) is an album brimming with passion in the songwriting, performance and delivery. Oozing genuine style, sexuality and swagger; they’re the epitome of cool.

Influenced by Serge Gainsbourg, The Velvet Underground, Gang of Four, Joy Division, and Johnny Cash. John & Jehn’s music is a collection of sonic experiments, carried by dark humour on razor-sharp pop melodies. Listen for yourself, with two free mp3′s at the bottom of the article. Like what you hear? Head on down to the album launch party, which is being held at The Luminaire in London on 23rd April.

For people out there than have never heard of you. Give us three reasons why they should…
For that question, we asked a friend of ours, Dan, who is also a big fan of John & Jehn, to tell us what he thinks. Here is what he answered:
1) The look.
John & Jehn look like every cool rock icon and movie star you’ve ever seen: The Velvet Underground if they’d actually been good-looking, Joy Division if they’d been motivated by sex instead of speed. Everyone looks better in black and white: John & Jehn make black and white look better.
2)The sound.
They sound like all your favorite bands at once, abrasive and tender and angry and happy and sad by turns (and sometimes all at the same time). They sing about love and fear, and love of fear, and fear of love. When they whisper, it means something. When they scream it means something.
3)The Attitude.
They’re scary because of their intensity. They’re funny for the same reason. They believe in what they do so much, it makes you believe in what they do. But they’re not posers: they’re not aloof. They’re human. Or at least they’re French. Which some say is better than human.

Can you recall the moment when you first decided you wanted to become a musician?
John: I was 8 and I saw a free jazz combo playing in the street. I was hypnotised by the drummer, after that I learned and played drums for 15 years and finally swapped for other instruments.
Jehn: I can recall when I started to really like being onstage. I was 3 and I was in Russia with my parents. My dad was a director and they were doing a tour in Russia for a month. He would let me play onstage with the comedians during the rehearsals but my mum had to drag me off stage during the show, otherwise I would just stay there.

Where do your songs come from? What’s your inspiration?
John: Litterature and films mixed with our personal way of life. Our inspiration first comes from our relationship. The way we put that in music or image is completly inspired by others arts. We can recognise ourselves a lot in Jacques Brel, Serge Gainsbourg but also the writers Celine or John Fante and films made by Tati, Goddard or Truffaut. John & Jehn is a big mix of genre really.
Jehn: I have to say first that John is my biggest inspiration, his presence helps me to challenge myself and go out in spaces where I wouldn’t go by myself. The texts in this album were very important for us by the time we wrote the songs. We would always start a song from the lyrics and build the music after. We didn’t name this album, but looking back at it now, if I had to give a title it would be “Rich and Fall”, because the songs are mostly about ups and downs of life, from darkness to light. We have songs talking about experience of death and loss, others talking about love and zombies!

What was the first gig you ever played and was it a success?
Jehn: We played our first gig in Malta. It was at the very beginning of John & jehn and they contacted us on myspace to play a gig there. They paid for the planes, hired equipment… There was 300 people there waiting for us and we sold out of merchandise. We had an interview on the national radio and they were freaking out because we would curse all the time and the church is still quite powerful there. The people were fantastic. We even watched a firework contest between the Italians and the Malteses.

What’s been your most memorable on the road story so far?
John: A photo shoot of lingerie in a hotel corridor in Paris. Mama Mia!

How much artist control do you possess over your music? Are you interested in how the album looks and how you’re marketed?
John: I am a total control freak. I’m interessed in every single part of the process. I can be a pain in the ass, I have that from my dad. Also I think the artist today must be involved in his own image and how he wants everything about his art. I don’t see the point to not care about your artwork, videos, sound mixing, producing…etc . I think every single musician should be able to produce his own work, the way you pay millions to have a guy redoing your own stuff is just ridiculous. Get a good sound engineer and do it yourself!

What music are you enjoying right now? Any recommendations for our readers to check out?
John: Sometimes I feel sad I have missed some legendary shows because I was too young: John Coltrane, early Bob Dylan , Jacques Brel, Joy Division, Nina Simone, Nick Drake ect ect… But i feel better now because i’ve found DUKE GARWOOD, I try to be at all his shows, cause he is the same kind of genius as the people i’ve just mentionned. His music has a curing effect on me.
Jehn: Charles Mingus is one of my favourites at the moment. It makes me want to dance and shout. Also, I’ve recently been listening to some new releases like Clinic or LCD Soundsystem.

Name your Top 5 records.
John: John Coltrane A Love Supreme / Gun Club Fire Of Love / Joy Division Unknown Pleasures / Duke Garwood Emerald Palace / Lou Reed Transformer
Jehn: Serge Gainsbourg Melodie Nelson / David Bowie Hunky Dory / Charles Mingus The Black Saint and the Inner Lady / Electrelane The Power Out / ESG Step Off

What’s the worst job you’ve ever had?
John: Father Christmas in Paris streets (I’ve got photos to prove it).
Jehn: Teaching french in an English school.

mp3:> John & Jehn: 20L07
mp3:> John & Jehn: Make Your Mum Be Proud

Links
John & Jehn [myspace]

Look out for the first ever UK interview with one of the most talked about bands of 2008, Fleet Foxes, coming very soon to TLOBF.