Chart-topping Erika Jayne heats up December
Honey, it’s cold outside. That’s what the Atlanta-born Erika Jayne was singing while she was in Chicago last week on a tour stop.
The dance music diva with three Billboard #1 dance hits is on an aggressive tour promoting her new disc Pretty Mess in seven American cities in two weeks with an itinerary that reads like one of a European tourists. Recently she performed with drag and DJ legend Juanita More in New York, next she makes her way to clubs in Miami, San Francisco and Las Vegas.
Her best-selling debut CD Pretty Mess included all her #1 dance hits (Rollercoaster, Stars Give You Everything), which she will likely be performing live on her remaining December tour dates. And she needn’t worry about the cold - no matter where she is, she’ll provide the heat. BeBe Sweetbriar spoke to Jayne this past week on her Chicago stopover:
BeBe: Is it cold there in Chicago?
Erika: You know it is, but it feels good.
BeBe: Kind of a singer’s nightmare where your throat is chilled and you have to sing tonight.
Erika: Yes, but I will just cuddle up, drink a lot of warm tea and it should be fine.
BeBe: Well, let’s get to the business at hand. You have been compared to Madonna by the media in the U.S. and the U.K. Why do you think they’ve drawn such a comparison?
Erika: I think it’s just the music. The music is fun and danceable. You know, you would have to wait another 20 years to make any other comparison because she has been around so long. So, I think it’s just the music.
Pretty Mess - fantasy, love and escape
BeBe: You released your debut album Pretty Mess in August of this year. How would you describe it for everyone?
Erika: Pretty Mess is about fantasy, love and escape. The beats enough to make you want to get up, have a good time, dance around the room if just for a minute. And then you can return to your home.
BeBe: How did you come up with the title?
Erika: I was writing this song with Peter Rafelson (Madonna, Britney Spears, Stevie Nicks) about women and all the roles that they play. Sometimes you’re a temptress, sometimes you’re a princess, and sometimes you’re a pretty mess.
BeBe: By putting previously released #1 Billboard dance singles Rollercoaster and Stars on the album, you have three #1’s on this album with Give You Everything going to the the top of the dance charts. Are there more potential #1’s on the album?
Erika: I don’t know. I think the final track (One More Time) has a good shot. You know I cover Prince’s Sex Shooter, and people are liking that one too.
BeBe: You are a huge Prince fan, no doubt, and you were able to work with his once upon a time protégé , percussion legend and Bay Area’s own Sheila E. on Time to Realize. Describe that experience.
Erika: It was breathtaking, and I’ll just leave it at that. I think she is one of the top musicians and a wonderful human being. It was an honor to have her on my record.
BeBe: I know Sheila still lives in the Bay Area of San Francisco, so maybe she will pop in while you are here performing and you two do a little somethin’ somethin’. I’m just sayin’.
Erika: Wouldn’t that be something.
Erika in the movies?
BeBe: How much has growing up in the South in Atlanta influenced your music?
Erika: I think it has a lot because there was a lot happening there.... A lot of great music, and a lot of great music opportunities (there). It’s a great place to discover and find your way.
BeBe: You have such a variety of talent. Reading your bio I see that you were in music theater and you’re a ballet dancer. What made you take the road of recording artist rather than sticking with theater or dance?
Erika: Well, I went to the School of Performing Arts in Atlanta, and was really into musical theater. But after high school I moved to New York and started going out to the clubs and having a good time. That’s where it was going on, on the dance floor in New York.
BeBe: With several of your songs already featured in movies, any chance we’ll see Erika Jayne on the big screen?
Erika: Maybe someday. If the right role comes along, sure. Wouldn’t that be fun?
BeBe: You will be back in San Francisco playing in two gay clubs next week. Do you think you have a big gay following?
Erika: I think I have a pretty big gay following. Gay fans are the best fans in the world. Everyone knows that....loyal, but smart. If you fail them they let you know. That’s awesome.
No wonder Ms. Jayne has garnered three #1 dance singles. She is in tune with her audience. If you haven’t had a chance to view her music video for her latest hit Give You Everything, you are missing a chance to see all her talent and why she is a natural for the big screen. I don’t know about you, but I know where I’ll be next Wednesday and Thursday for an up close and personal music experience with Erika Jayne.
Erika Jayne’s upcoming December dates:
December, 13, 2009, 8:00 PM - Sunday School @ Foiles, Miami Beach, Florida
December, 16, 2009 08:00 PM - Trigger, 2338 Market Street, San Francisco, California - (2 shows, early 8pm & late 12 midnight) Gloss 8th Anniversary at Trigger
December, 17, 2009 08:00 PM - The Crib, 715 Harrison Street,, San Francisco, California - $10
December, 18, 2009 08:00 PM - The Bank at the Bellagio, Las Vegas, Nevada.
December, 19, 2009 08:00 PM - Revolution at Mirage, Las Vegas, Nevada.
