Chelsi Marie and DaLona Foster are Chasing Jane. This Seattle band consistently produces a comfortable blend of American Rock with pop-laced hooks that grab you and pull you closer for that intimate kiss of beautifully executed harmonies. They have recently released their album, “Unraveled”, which was engineered by Jay Hallstrom.
)IRM: Could you give our readers an introduction, please? Who are Chasing Jane?
Chelsi: Hi there, we love this question. We are Chelsi and DaLona from Seattle, WA and we don’t know who is Chasing Jane! (laughing)! The idea behind the name was a play on words and ideas: John Doe/Jane Doe… the unidentified piece inside us all, chasing life to find our authentic selves. It was also inspired from our tune A Girl Named Jane which has a similar theme.
IRM: How did you become interested in music and who would you say influences your creativity?
Chelsi: I became interested in music when I was little. I always wanted to be a singer. When I was 15 I got my first guitar and began writing right away. I would say some of my biggest influences are as follows: Alison Krauss, Emmy Lou Harris, Nirvana, Sheryl Crow, Mindy Smith, Brandi Carlile, Norah Jones, Jewel, Alanis Morissette, Carrie Underwood, Coldplay, Dave Mathews, and Wynonna Judd. But, I listen to pretty much everything.
DaLona: I’ve always been fascinated with singing, especially harmonies, but I was a “closet” shower singer so I started out playing the piano and moved to clarinet in junior high and then changed over to the saxophone and clarinet in high school. I started to get involved in singing by joining a church group after I graduated high school. Ever since then, I just can’t get enough of it. I can’t help but sing harmonies to everything I hear. It’s kind of a naturally freakish gift. Lol! As far as my influences…there have been so many great artists but I have to say that my biggest influences have been my family. When I was a little girl, my Grammy would always listen on her old countertop radio as they played songs from classic country artists like George Jones, Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, and also one of my favorites, Randy Travis. I can still remember walking into her kitchen, as the smell of freshly baked banana breads and the sound of my Grammy whistling along with the radio, filled the room. It’s one of my fondest memories and I think that because of the type of artists she listened to, it helped shape my love for the style of music we are doing now. My mom has always been interested in music and even took lessons in piano and Opera. I always loved watching her practice and tried to imitate everything she was doing. My step-mom has been involved in music since she was little and had a big influence on how I learned different types of harmonies. My brother Shane…that guy could play a cardboard box with dental floss and still make it sound good. He is an impeccable musician that can play anything you put in front of him. Not to mention that he is also an incredible singer and song writer. And last, but of course not least, Chelsi. She has been such an amazing blessing and influence in my life. That girl has help me enhance my musical gifts ten fold! She is so incredibly talented that you can’t help but be inspired when ever she picks up a guitar and starts to play.
IRM: Looking at your music holistically, what is the approach musically?
Chelsi: For me it’s about challenge and redemption. Musically as I produced the record I tried to allow the instruments to compliment the feeling of the words. I also tried to add a hopeful vibe in drums etc where the lyrical content was heavier. People want to relate to what they are listening to and so lyrically, melodically, and instrumentally we tried to provide a platform that invites the soul to lean in and listen. We also tried to keep the songs short and catchy, we love to put on a great show and to get the crowd singing along!
IRM: What are some of the big motivators for each of you musically? What inspires you?
DaLona: I am inspired by a menagerie of things, mostly personal experiences, dreams or situations that others are going through, but I must confess…I come up with most of the ideas while taking a shower or driving. There’s just something about those two things that make my mind drift into the place where things just start popping into my head. Don’t worry though…I’m not a bad driver. (Laughs)
Chelsi: I am motivated to write whenever I am near an instrument. It’s just the way I express myself. I write pretty much daily. I also write in multiple genres so when it comes to making records I really have to sort through and pick the most consistent songs I can find in the bag. I am inspired by life, the lives of those around me, God, hope, sadness, and even just the feeling you get inside when creating. The AHHHH and relief you get when you’re done and its out of you. There’s such an immense lift when you take pain and paint it into beauty using poetry and sound.
IRM: I also see you use your music to inspire and help the youth in your area can you enlighten us more about this?
Chelsi: I have worked with troubled youth and kids in foster care for many years. At risk youth and foster care is sort of our bands unofficial “cause”. I personally do music therapy at certain local group homes, speak at battered women’s shelters, and I also visit a little girl at a local group home each weekend. I went through some foster homes when I was growing up so I have a deep understanding and compassion for kids who are hurting.
DaLona: I’ve always had a heart for kids. I’m passionate about helping them and just luvin’ on them. A couple of years back I had gone on a mission trip to Mazatlan, Mexico and was horrified by what I saw. Kids living out of shacks made from things found in the dumps and along the roads, hungry faces of people who barely had enough food to survive. The list keeps going on and on and on. There are too many kids that have been abandoned, abused, neglected and left without love and I feel God has put it on my heart to help them. The music is one way we help them but I also work with kids through different avenues as well. Each year I fundraise by baking and selling banana breads to help take care of the needs of these children. The money raised goes to help with whatever needs the children may have. This can include food, clothing, school supplies and so much more. In January 2010, I will be going to Thailand to help out in orphanages and border camps throughout the region as well.
IRM: You love to perform live can you give us an insight into some of the venues you have performed at and where you would love to perform in the future?
CJ: We have only performed a couple times live as “Chasing Jane”, we are now getting ready to play a lot and are working with an awesome new booking agent. We were holding off pending our albums release which just happened. DaLona and I however have played on stages all over the country for several years including, military bases, popular festivals including Freedom Fest and the Puyallup Fair, the Seattle Center, high schools, college events, events at Qwest Field, and we have had the privilege of sharing stages with many popular artist. We have had the best of times whether playing in small coffee shop’s in Nashville or at raging teen rock festivals in Missouri. I think that Chasing Jane however, is the most amazing group we have played in. Every member of the band plays multiple instruments’, has awesome stage presence, and the vibe is just so incredibly natural, real, and fun,
IRM: Would you tell us a little about “Unravelled?
CJ: The album was very “revealing” of our life experiences. There is a line in the song “Everything is Gonna Be Alight” that say’s “trust in me and I’ll help unravel the hope you’ve been dying to know”. I think becoming Unravelled is learning to trust, and be revealed. And that’s what we want to happen for those who hear the record.
IRM: I have to say my favorite song is ‘Stay’ I so love the harmonies. Who was responsible for the creation of this track and is there a story behind it?
Chelsi: I wrote Stay because I wanted to woo men! :O) It’s a flirtatious and it’s a hungry song. The feelings are real hopes I think we all have. DaLona actually took over the original higher part on the chorus, and I dropped low in the chorus because her voice just seemed to have a magic/angelic feel to it. The harmonies and the mandolin just felt like they both had secrets to tell that added to fullness and picture of the story. It’s a special song for us both… one of the only tunes we both take a turn singing lead on at the same time. I think it’s our mutual favorite.
DaLona: It’s definitely one of my favorites. Although Chelsi wrote the song, it still has great meaning and perspective into my own life. Someday I wish to find the man that God has created for me and I want to know that he will stick around. This song really speaks to the very core of my hopes and dreams to one day have a blessed marriage that lasts a lifetime.
IRM: Can you tell us a little about the motivation for “Crazy Thoughts”?
DaLona: Sometimes we all get in a place where we feel like we’re not good enough, inadequate, unworthy or maybe even feel like a fake. That’s where I was in the moment when I wrote “Crazy Thoughts”. I’d always struggled with being a “chameleon” throughout my life. Trying to fit in, imitating things that others were doing even if I didn’t really like it, and eventually losing my own identity. I became what everyone else wanted and not who God wanted me to be. This song, I believe, was a gift of comfort from God letting me know that even though I couldn’t see the value in myself and my own identity, He saw, and still sees, right through the “garbage” and crazy thoughts and in to the very core of who I really am.
IRM: What is the story behind “Changing Seasons”?
Chelsi: I have had a complicated past in many ways, and I think most of us do. Often it seems just as I get comfortable… something changes. Ultimately, I want that ONE special someone to walk through life with, holding hands and sharing cares through every “Changing Season”. The song is about waiting and longing for that special someone. I just don’t believe one has to settle for less than true love. I am a romantic and want the dance that comes with it.
IRM: What are your ultimate aims as a group? How do you see Chasing Jane in say 5 years?
Chelsi: In 5 years, I hope that we are rich and famous! Why lie?!!!! :O) But, I would settle for just continuing to do what we are doing, I love our band.
DaLona: To do the same thing we’ve always done…HAVE FUN AND ENJOY EVERY MOMENT! And, like Chelsi said, it wouldn’t hurt to make a few extra bucks in the process. :oD
IRM: As an independent artist, what do you find to be the most useful aspect of the internet?
Chelsi: I think MySpace is a very helpful tool for bands, also internet magazine such as this one, and streaming online stations that support independent artist are crucial and allow so much opportunity for new music. I-tunes, CD Baby, websites, blogs, even craigslist are great tools for artist to promote.
DaLona: I agree that social websites play a HUGE part in promoting yourself as an independent artist but, coming from a background of Graphic and Web Design, I find that having the opportunity to create your own unique web site allows you to reach out to your fans on a more personal and intimate level. Look forward to the official launch of ChasingJane.com coming in late February 2010!
IRM: What challenge posed by the internet would you select as the most important to solve for musicians?
Chelsi: Well, the internet definitely has its pros and cons. Being a music producer (that’s my other career) and doing artist development I am always concerned that my artist may fall for a scam. I think that there are a lot of scams out there. Luckily I have been in the industry for many years in multiple facets and am educated enough to know what to watch out for, but a lot of independent artist don’t. There are phony booking agencies that ask artists to pay for booking services in advance, and the booking of course never happens. I have also seen publishing scams-always read the fine print on terms of service agreements! There are radio promotion services that charge too much and ultimately don’t have the weight or relational power to get you on many stations, and there are lots of musician self help books claiming to have the right formula for independent artist to “make it”. The reality is there is not necessarily any perfect recipe, the best thing to do is make a good album and promote the heck out of it using a valid promoter.Then… wait for the right deal to come if it does. Read everything carefully before you sign it, and sign up with ASCAP or a similar agency so you have tools to become better informed and protected.
DaLona: I would have to agree that there are a lot of scams out there but you just have to be careful and use discernment, I do also recommend for song writers to sign up with The Harry Fox Agency (http://www.harryfox.com/index.jsp) along with ASCAP or BMI.
IRM: What else would you like to tell your fans?
Chelsi: Get the album and come on out to a show! We love to meet as many fans as possible at every event. Thanks for your support and thank you to Internet Radio Magazine for giving us a voice in this article.
DaLona: Thank you for all for luvin’ on us! You’re all so wonderful! We can’t wait to see you!
Chelsi: Always dream, always believe. Live, Laugh, Love.
DaLona: You are amazing, beautiful and strong. Life will always bring challenges but remember to cling to the hope that everything is gonna be alright!
Connect on Myspace - http://www.myspace.com/chasingjane
Album Sales - http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/ChasingJane
