Jane Weaver is an English singer-songwriter and musician from Manchester. Born in Liverpool in 1972 she now resides in Marple, Stockport and is married to DJ and co-founder of Twisted Nerve Records Andy Votel. She has worked alongside Elbow, Doves, Andy Votel and Badly Drawn Boy.
Early Years
In 1989 Jane started out fronting Indie rock band Kill Laura who sign to Polydor Records and release two EP's until the departure of their a&r Man. Rob Gretton (New Order's manager and founder of the Hacienda club in Manchester) decides to sign them to his new label Manchester Records after seeing them support indie darlings Marion at the Band On The Wall club in Manchester. After the release of three singles Kill Laura split and Jane continues to release singles under her own name and features on compilations such as Grand Central Record'
s 'Central Heating Volume 2' and collaborate with label mates Doves and Andy Votel for Manchester Records until Gretton's untimely death in 1999.
Solo Career
Jane releases her first solo album ' Like An Aspen Leaf' on her own imprint Bird Records through PIAS in 2002. Band members include David Tyack, Rick Tomlinson (Voice Of The Seven Woods), Sam Yates, Naomi Hart as well as Craig Potter and Richard Jupp from Elbow. The Album is given enthusiastic reviews by the press such as The Guardian describing her songs as music for "..heartbroken lovers that twist and turn into fagile but sparkling lullabies". Around this time Jane forms art-pop side project Misty Dixon with friends David Tyack (DOT), Anna Greenwood and Sam Yates. They sign to Twisted Nerve Records and release three EP's and record the album 'Iced To Mode'. Before recording is finished, however, David Tyack disappears whilst on a walking holiday in Corsica. The album is eventually released in 2003 and receives critical acclaim by Mojo Magazine described by Peter Paphides as "exquisite sepia future pop". David Tyack is tragically discovered dead nearly two years after disappearing in Corsica.
Jane continues to release records on her own Bird Records label. The 2006 album 'Seven Day Smile' comprises of hand picked demo recordings from the past 10 years. The title track features the band Doves and was previously heard on a rare 7" EP called 'Everyone Knows Everyone Else'. Jane gigs with artists such as Gruff Rhys, Badly Drawn Boy, Josephine Foster and Voice of The Seven Woods.
In 2007 Jane releases an album of new songs. 'Cherlokalate' is dedicated to 'absent friends' and is described as "a bittersweet collection of memories". Alongside Andy Votel she curates a 'femme freak folk' compilation album called 'Bearded Ladies' featuring both contemporary and vintage female singers such as Brigitte Fontaine, Susan Christie and Emma Tricca. The album is brought to life after an invitation from Jarvis Cocker to play at his 2007 Meltdown Festival at The South Bank Centre. 'Lost Ladies of Folk' includes sets from Bonnie Dobson, Susan Christie and Wendy and Bonnie with Sean O'Hagan and 'The High Llamas' providing the instrumentation. Jane sings with Wendy Flower in replacement of the absent Bonnie.
Throughout 2008 Jane playes various U.K. festivals such as at The Greenman Festival. She is currently working on an experimental concept album which blends folk and progressive rock and features spoken word contributions from Susan Christie and collaborations with Wendy Flower. Bird Records continues to promote new 'femme freak folk' releases from the office of 'Twisted Nerve' and 'Finders Keepers Records'.
User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License and may also be available under the GNU FDL....
READ MORE
