She’s an up-and-coming artist who has been compared to Mariah Carey and Janet Jackson, among others, and now she will be hitting the city with none other than the Perry Twins for Halloween. Self-professed workaholic, Jania, has the voice of a diva, but the dance moves of an even bigger diva, and she knows how to use both. Jania often lends her talents to The Perry Twins; their latest hit "Activate My Body" can be heard in clubs across the country. The German-born artist was born into a musical family, so it’s no surprise she is loaded with talent and ready to take on the world. But first, she makes a stop in Calgary to dazzle at the Superheroes, Villains and Pride Halloween Party, brought in by the Magical Musical DJs and Event Promoters with the Perry Twins at the Metropolitan Conference Centre on October 31st. We had a chance to talk to the star all about her exploding career.
GC: Tell us a bit about yourself, and how you got started.
J: I was born in Nuremberg, Germany. My mother is a singer and my father is a musician. They met in a band. I have two sisters – I’m the middle child – and all three of us sing. I was heavily influenced by my mother to sing professionally, so my goal as a small child was to meet Michael Jackson. My mother told me I had to practice, and really do my best on auditions, and then I would meet him. My mother is a very optimistic person and we were taught that we could have whatever we desired as long as we worked hard. She was right. I ended up booking my first audition in Los Angeles, singing on a Michael Jackson project! I worked with him often, both singing and dancing, and that led to me working with Quincy Jones, Bon Jovi and all sorts of other awesome artists. That’s pretty much how I got started.
GC: You’re already regarded as an established up and coming artist, but where do you want to take it next?
J: I would love to make more music that is fun and relatable to everyone worldwide. I want to be an exciting performer to the audience every time I step on stage.
GC: Some artists hate to be compared to other artists, but who have you been compared to for your style, and who do you look up to?
J: Vocally I have been compared to Mariah Carey and Chante Moore, and I’ve also gotten Janet Jackson a lot when I’m dancing. They are all amazingly talented artists so I’m not mad about it. Michael Jackson, Prince, Tina Turner, Diana Ross, La Lupe, Rochelle Ferrell, Mint Condition, Tonex, Janet Jackson, Paula Abdul, Madonna – I’m inspired by artists who really take their art to another level by creating something that has not been done before.
GC: Your hit with the Perry Twins "Activate My Body" is very popular and well received, especially in gay clubs; did you expect that?
J: No, I didn’t. I remember every week the song just kept rising up the charts. I was in a gym and heard the song for the first time around strangers and I was like, I know that voice... I know this song... IT’S ME! My friend ran around to every person on the treadmills, bikes and Stairmasters screaming That’s my girl on the radio! We had a mini dance party with strangers in the gym. It was great!
GC: What do you love about working with the Perry Twins?
J: We always seem to laugh a lot. Working with them is easy. They are very talented and we all respect each other. There are no egos – it’s just about the music.
GC: What has been the biggest challenge of your music journey so far?
J: People like to look around at what’s ‘hot’ or popular and try to make you fit into that image. That has always been my challenge. You have to really be true to who you are and what you want to say as an artist.
GC: What is the craziest/silliest costume you have ever dressed up as for Halloween?
J: I remember I used to really love Halloween, but when I was around 10 or 11 years old, we stopped celebrating Halloween. But when I was five or six years old, I think I was Diana Ross or some show stopping diva, because I had on one of my mom’s big wigs, a long sparkly shirt with a stunning belt (that was my show dress), her heels (that flopped all over the place ‘cause my feet were too small), a lot of jewelry, and even more make-up. I was dazzling!
GC: What’s next for Jania?
J: More music! I’m working with a few producers now that are awesome, and I’ll have something for everyone in the beginning of 2015. I have been starring in a musical called "Baby, We Belong Together" for the past year that’s in production in Los Angeles. I’m also in the process of writing my first musical/play. I’m a workaholic.
