Getting hold of some in-depth info about John & Jehn is something of an endeavour. Their MySpace website isn’t so openly obliging, but it does reveal that those aren’t their real names. Nicolas and Camille (their real names) are a couple from Poitiers and Angoulême, in France, and L’amour ne nous dechirera pas (Love will not tear us apart) is their debut release. The EP, the result of a decision to give up their day jobs and focus entirely on making music, has drawn some significant attention, especially by fans in search of an alternative to manufactured pop music. And rightfully so, because in under 20 minutes, it offers five helpings of minimal, unsophisticated and innovative pop music with an experimental sonic edge that has had critics raving - with the words “post” and “punk”, “melodic” and “shambolic” regularly cropping up in reviews of the EP. Ahead of the duo’s upcoming gig with Malta’s very own indie darlings Beangrowers in St Julian’s, John & Jehn took a brief break from their music to answer a few questions about their (and yours truly’s) favourite topic – music, of course!
Q So, musically speaking, what's the story before Nicolas and Camille became “John & Jehn”?
A Before John & Jehn, Camille sang in a pop band called Motel. Nicolas had several bands - Kung Fu (post-rock) was a duo with machines, guitar and video. He also played keyboards with rock 'n' roll band Asyl and drums for an old metal hardcore band called Donuts), and formed part of Machine Reset (a drum'n'bass live machine duo) and Redrum X, a deep house live machine duo.
Q Various reviews of your EP mention a post-punk influence in your music. How do you rate the current resurgence of the genre in relation to the original bands?
A We think those bands had always existed (most of all), and now journalists just put a name to a movement. We don't want to sound judgmental, but the birth and death of a “resurgence” is only built up by the music media and the music industry, not by the musicians themselves. Our music is only rock 'n' roll, not just post-punk! Who can prove we’re not? Nobody makes the rules except us. Copying those original bands is the history of rock 'n' roll. Good albums will stay, the others will die. It’s the law of the jungle!
Q Post-punk aside, what other influences do you feel had the strongest effect on the songs on this CD?
A Serge Gainsbourg, Velvet Underground.
Q What are your favourite records of all time?
A Camille: American Recordings (Johnny Cash), Murder Ballads (Nick Cave), To Bring You My Love (PJ Harvey), Hunky Dory (David Bowie), the first album from Blonde Redhead, Melody Nelson (Serge Gainsbourg), Swordfishtrombone (Tom Waits), Keith Jarret’s Koln Concert and anything by The Doors.
Nicolas: Unknown Pleasures (Joy Division), A Love Supreme (John Coltrane), Endtroducing (DJ Shadow), American Recordings (Johnny Cash) Jane Doe (Converge) Surfer Roas (Pixies), TNT (Tortoise), Harvest (Neil Young), Fire Of Love (Gun Club), Ambient Music (Brian Eno), Jazz Dnas Le Ravin (Serge Gainsbourg) Autechre’s 7” EP, Repeater (Fugazi), Bullit (Lalo Schifrin), Entertainment (Gang Of Four), The Kills, This Nation’s Saving Grace (The Fall), The Kills, everything by Nick Cave and The Birthday Party….stop me please…(OK stop!)
Q Do Nicolas and Camille and John & Jehn ever impose on each other or is there a line that keeps the two couples separate?
A Well, John and Jehn are only alter egos - if Nicolas and Camille did what John & Jehn do, they could be locked up!
Q What are your thoughts about and expectations of your performance in Malta?
A Sea, sex and sun!
John & Jehn will be in Malta to perform on Sunday 30 April as guests of AM Productions, the primary organization striving to bring the island’s alternative scene to the fore. The event, which is sponsored by Cisk Export, Exotique, Radio 101, Knight Music, Dazzle and Grotto Tavern, will also include an eclectic DJ set from the one and only Bob. For more information, visit www.alternativemalta.com or email [email protected].
Michael Bugeja ([email protected])