EVERYTHING YOU NEVER WANTED TO KNOW:
WHAT'S IN A NAME
Januar [yah-new-wahr], Icelandic for January, is a Denver-based "trio" who creates atmospheric indie-pop in the vein of Low, Pedro the Lion, and Mojave 3. The intricate harmonies of married couple Jeremy (guitar, bass, vocals) and Amy (guitar, vocals) and Patty (drums, percussion, vocals) wrap around Januar's unforgettable melodies and finely crafted lyrics.
A TRIO OF FOUR
Januar formed, appropriately enough, January 2002, when Jeremy, Amy, and Katie (Januar's first drummer, who still occasionally plays with the band) formed an acoustic trio out of the ashes of their former space-rock band, Breathing Eve. By fall, Katie moved on (Iceland, PA, GA), and for the next two years, Januar existed, primarily, as a recording project. In early 2004, Patty (who had played percussion with Januar) made a seamless transition to the drum set, when Katie was unable to make a show. Januar began playing out on a regular basis, with Patty as the sole drummer, and started recording a five song EP.
SIGN ON THE DOTTED LINE
On March 18, 2005, Januar released The Fall EP to critical acclaim, and that summer they began recording their full-length CD, The Way Back Home, with studio wizard Jme (in Blusom-on Second Nature Records, Blue Blooded Girls, & Intervention). In January 2006, Januar signed with a West Coast indie label and prepared for the release of their new album.
PRESSING PARTY
After a few setbacks (which is typical in the music industry), the label assured Januar that The Way Back Home was manufactured and would be in their hands in time for the CD Release Show (June 24, 2006). Two weeks before the big event, Januar found out that production on the album had never even begun because the label still hadn't paid for a previous project. The head of the label could not be reached. It became clear that Januar was going to have to release this album on their own. The CD Party was changed into a Pressing Party to help raise some money.
FINDING THE WAY
The Denver media and music scene reached out to Januar, who subsequently were interviewed by John Wenzel for an article in the Post, "Januar Gets Wise To the Biz," for e-zine Japan Implosion, and for Tom Murphy's zine All Need Is Music. Ironically, Januar finally received copies of "The Way Back Home" while they were on the road on a tour of the Midwest. The album is currently available on this site and the band's website, and will be officially released this fall.
NAME DROPPING
Januar has received accolades from The Denver Post, Westword, the Onion, and other local press, and their music has received airplay on 93.3 KTCL-FM and Radio 1190, among others. Their song "PJ" was added Velvet Blue Music's unsigned band compilation. Tables Will Turn. Januar has shared the stage with many national acts including the Pernice Brothers, Starflyer 59, Ester Drang, Maria Taylor (from Azure Ray), Dios Malos (formerly dios), Mirah, Tara Jane O'neil, Chris Brokaw (from Codeine), Early Day Miners....
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