14 June 2012 - 0 Comments

She’s teamed up with some of New Zealand’s best artists for her latest project Taming Her Dreaming – the second music video release from her 2011 debut album The Original Ending.

“Musicians need other artists to survive these days. Artists who are not only talented but, most importantly, share your vision. Otherwise you won’t survive. You can’t just get drunk, write a song, and release a record anymore – you need a website, cover design, publicist… and that’s not even dealing with the actual music side of things.”

The “bubbly, blonde musician with the breathy voice” (Your Weekend, Dominion Post, 2011) was lucky. Following a stint freelancing as a journo she met Neil Pardington, Creative Director at Base Two and 2011 Marti Friedlander Photographic Award recipient, and discovered they shared common interests in the wide world of film and music.

“Back then I had no money left to market my music really - after throwing it all into the music side of things - recording and producing the record myself and getting producer Andrew Buckton to mix it. So yeah, I was kinda stuck. It can be a lonely road being a solo artist and I remember chatting openly about it with Neil. Amazingly, he offered to design my album for me using one of his images which to me epitomised how I felt at the time – an infinite journey with no beginning or end – which coincidentally was really the whole concept behind my album - The Original Ending. I don’t think I could ever repay Neil for his amazing design… financially and emotionally… hold on, if someone buys one of his artworks at the video release party I’ll be happy!”

His “amazing” photo fills the entire length of Janina’s 39.5cm-long album cover. A print of Neil’s image Tunnel #2 will be on display during the Taming her Dreaming launch on Tuesday 26 June at Suite Gallery on Cuba Street, Neil’s dealer in Wellington. One of New Zealand's foremost photographers, Neil’s practice has been described as “straight photography with a twist”. He is the recipient of numerous national photographic and design awards including the 2011 Marti Friedlander Photographic Award.

“Musicians need good photographers…. I remember when Neil said that when he was first started out as an artist in Whanganui, a handful of more experienced artists helped him along on his journey, so he wanted to do the same thing. That comment really stuck with me. It almost feels like musicians and photographers and music directors and artists are all part of a “social club” or that there’s camaraderie between artists who want to follow their dreams. Perhaps the ideal world would be a massive circle of altruistic collaboration between artists and genres…. Actually, perhaps that’s what heaven is,” Janina says laughing.

This passion for collaboration has led to another long-term collaboration with Music Video Director and Editor Gretchen Peterson. Last year, Peterson was nominated for Best Editing Documentary/Factual for The Banker, The Escorts and The $18 million at the 2011 Aotearoa Film & Television Awards. She directed and edited Janina’s first music video Intentions of a Reluctant Artist, which was released in the shop window of fashion store Rex Royale on Cuba Street, Wellington. The video worked so well that they decided to do another one - Taming Her Dreaming.

“The first video was an encouragement ode to artists to “Don’t Stop…” despite any reluctance to enter into any musical rat race with “eyes shut, mouth wide open”, much like the mannequins surrounding me in the shop window. But this video is about dreaming and the surreal and Gretchen was instrumental in making our imaginative ideas become a reality. That’s her talent, and all I can really say about it for now… until you see it.”

To evoke this sense of “imagination”, Peterson invited talented animator and filmmaker Ahmad Habash to create visually arresting surreal images which dart cheekily around Janina’s head. The result is a stunning visual mix of surreal interrupted scenes, reversed destruction and the creation of the imagination…

Taming Her Dreaming will be released and projected on the wall of Suite Gallery, Level 2, 147 Cuba Street on Tuesday 26 June, 6.30pm. Drinks and nibbles will be provided.

“Janina’s voice is beautiful, moving, and wonderfully rich in color. She has a voice that the ear loves, and she can do that very rare thing, sing something and make you feel it in a special way... Highly imaginative and creative writing, and just great music.” NZ composer John Psathas on The Original Ending, 2011

“On her debut album, gutsy but dainty Wellington singer-songwriter Janina explores her life lessons through her three loves - classical music, rock 'n' roll and clever writing…” Jacqueline Smith, Time Out, NZ Herald, 25 June 2011.

“…strong musicianship and a lot of talent.” Amanda Mills, NZ Musician Magazine, June/July 2011.

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