ABOUT
Proving the therapeutic qualities of art creation, Janine “J9” Carter turned personal strife into fuel for rebirth on their first album, Destructo. The album is like a multi-layered breakup album, drawing on the experiences of heartache and global upheaval.
With J9’s next series of releases, the artist will be releasing each track off of their next album, Colt 45, as a single and then repackaging them as an album. “Dark Arts” is the third single off of Colt 45, of 9 anticipated tracks to be released that will make up the album.
In order to bring this song to life, J9 has collaborated again with some of their friends. On “Dark Arts”, J9 got the sultry Gin Sexsmith(Sexsmith, Hello Darlin’) on vocals, along with Dash Ilmi (DJ Dash)adding some live drum tracks on this one. J9 adds some background vocals, and Derek Edwards (Duck Duck Goose) is back giving the bass synth some extra flavor.
Ableton Live and Push are J9’s canvas and brush of choice, with analog synth samples providing many of the key textural paints on their tracks. Colt 45 is looking to be a multimedia project, with multiple videos, streams, and other goodies in the works (including 360 and virtual reality material). Colt 45 represents the end of an era in J9’s life; it’s all in the title.
BIOGRAPHY
Janine “J9” Carter is a human being living and making music in Toronto, Canada. J9 grew up as a music and art geek in the small, southern-Ontario town of Dunnville, and left for Toronto as soon as they finished high school. Although choosing to focus on a career in the visual arts, J9 continued to pursue music as a hobby, until they met their now long time friend Scott Gray (World Next Door, Tripping Hazard).
The long-time Royal Conservatory musician eventually became a member of Toronto art rock acts The Good Ideas and Tripping Hazard, before diving into the electronic world to carve out their own vision of sound. That sound is a firmly alternative take on modern electronic pop, informed by ‘90s trip-hop and experimental pop sensibilities (think Cibo Matto, Bjork and Mazzy Star).
Having grown up with the significant influences of Bjork, Beethoven & The Beatles, J9’s sound has always been eccentric, edgy and romantic, even before going electro. J9’s androgynous vocal tones, along with certain elements in the percussion, sometimes reflect J9’s identification as a non-binary Metis Canadian. if you listen carefully. You might even notice a guitar part or two.
Cover Art: Fruitsie, J9 & Michelle Sansano
Photography: Stephanie Pehar
MUA: Stephanie Roberts
Logo: J9
Mixed & Mastered: Steve Lachance