2020 was the birth of Jane Inc., a solo project forged by Carlyn Bezic after years of building her bona fides in the Toronto music scene with groups like U.S. Girls, Darlene Shrugg, and acclaimed dance-pop duo Ice Cream. Pitchfork called Jane Inc.'s first album, 2021's Number One "dazzling... [Bezic] proves herself a musical Swiss Army knife, capable of anything and reveling in her multiplicity." On sophomore album Faster Than I Can Take, she uses all the tools at her disposal - a Prince-like ability to shred harmonic guitar riffs over deep, danceable grooves, an eagerness to experiment with form, and lyricism that seamlessly links the personal and the political - to focus the multifaceted energy of Number One into something completely singular. In her live show, Bezic takes the conceptual roots of Faster Than I Can Take and stretches and deepens them, while creating “an incredible presence, keeping the audience rapt even when she was just dancing hypnotically, reminiscent of Mistki or Lorde” (Brooklyn Vegan), proving that a Jane Inc. show is the ideal setting to dance while you cry.
Debaser has had the pleasure of booking Carlyn while on stage with Darlene Shrugg, Ice Cream, and now Jane Inc. for the second time ahead of her run of shows opening for U.S. Girls.
Debaser: Introduce yourself to newer fans! Who is Jane Inc and where has this project evolved from?
Carlyn Bezic: Jane Inc. is me, Carlyn Bezic, but also not me. She’s kind of a wannabe pop star but she wants to retain her freak core. She likes to make things easy and fun for the listener while keeping an edge, keeping it heavy. In some ways she wants to be pure emotion, pure catharthis. She hasn’t fully revealed herself to me, so I’m still discovering who she is.
D: Your Ottawa show is kicking off a tour supporting U.S. Girls in Canada and the USA – What can we expect on stage for this show in Ottawa and in this upcoming stretch of shows?
CB: I am merely one woman but I promise I put on a good show. There will be dancing, loud guitar, fun lights… songs you can dance to, songs you can cry to… and very little stage banter.
D: With your breadth of knowledge of the Toronto cultural scene (and beyond), we want to know what artists/scenes/labels are exciting to you right now?
CB: I feel a bit out of touch, there’s so much to listen to! So if you come to the show and have a cool recommendation come and tell me. I’m excited for the new album from label mates Bernice that’s out this month, and the Masahiro Takahashi album is very beautiful. I like the new Debby Friday album a lot! Some songs I’m obsessed with right now are “Freaks” by Izzy Spears, “God Sent Me Here to Rock You” by Naomi Elizabeth, and “A&W” by Lana Del Rey.
Tickets are now available here with Kira Jane opening the night.
(Interview has been edited for clarity)