Jay Aston’s Gene Loves Jezebel – The X – Love Death Sorrow Discussion
1. Can you tell us about the creative process behind your latest studio album, X – Love Death Sorrow, and how it represents the essence of Jay Aston’s Gene Loves Jezebel?
We weren’t planning to make another Gene Loves Jezebel album, but Cleopatra Records thought it would be a marvellous idea & so did James Stevenson, Pete Rizzo & I.
So we naturally called our favorite Producer, Peter Walsh & off we went to my homeland of South Wales to create & record “X Love-Death-Sorrow.” I think just having the same elements that created “Desire,” “Motion of Love,” “Jealous” etc. was guaranteed to sound like classic GLJ. Just plug us in & off we go.
2. What motivated the choice of collaborating with guitarist James Stevenson and bassist Peter Rizzo for this album, and how did their contributions enhance the overall sound?
It wouldn’t be Gene Loves Jezebel without them. We’re a real band & each of us have distinct & important roles that contribute to the noise we make. Pete Rizzo also wrote a lot with me & is second to none as a bassist. James Stevenson is an in demand guitarist for a very good reason. He also has a great ear for melody & the right part. Add the wonderfully gifted Producer, Peter Walsh & that’s the recipe for a great sounding GLJ album.
3. Returning to work with acclaimed producer Peter Walsh, known for his role in crafting the band’s classic ’80s albums, must have been significant. How did his involvement influence the recording process and the final outcome of X – Love Death Sorrow?
We are all very familiar with how each other works & have become very efficient at getting things down in a timely manner. We all knew what we had to do & Peter is also an outstanding engineer, so we knew he’d capture all the magic. & he did!
We worked out the majority of what we wanted to do in a rehearsal studio. Experimenting in the recording studio when it felt that a song {like “Another Girl Another Planet” for example} needed a fresh angle. We worked very hard.
4. “Serpent Queen” stands out as one of the darkest and most haunting tracks on your latest album. Could you share the inspiration behind this song and how it fits within the broader themes explored on X?
It was the first song Peter Rizzo & I wrote together. His music inspired me to write about Greta Garbo & the Lorelei. I think he’d also written something about a dark enchantress for the last album {“Dance Underwater”}. The album’s theme is probably “survival” & “Serpent Queen” definitely fits.
5. The lyric video for “Serpent Queen” was released shortly after Valentine’s Day, offering a contrast to the typical romantic themes associated with the holiday. What led to the decision to release the video at this time, and how does it complement the song’s message?
It was Cleopatra’s excellent idea to release it. I’d have to ask the audience what they thought. Elements definitely work. Femme Fatale. My kinda girl.
6. With the upcoming cross-country US tour alongside The Alarm and Belouis Some, what can fans expect from your live performances, and how do you plan to engage with audiences on this tour?
High energy performances, laughter, tears & plenty of drama. Good vibes. It’ll be great to meet everybody & sell them a tee shirt.
7. How do you feel about the opportunity to tour with The Alarm and Belouis Some, and what do you hope this collaborative experience will bring to both the bands and the fans?
We’re buzzed. I think people look back on it as a very special event. The new LP has been so well received & I think mixing old & new songs will keep things very fresh vibrant for us & the fans.
Of course we are great friends with The Alarm & it’s always great to hang.
Hopefully James & Smiley don’t get too worn out.
We’re looking forward to getting to know Belouis Some.
New friends will be made.
8. As a band with an extensive discography, how do you approach integrating new material like X – Love Death Sorrow into your live shows alongside your classic hits?
It’ll be a challenge. We could play the whole of “X-Love-Death-Sorrow” & be very happy about it.
Every song works. I think we’ll just have to chop & change the set every couple of nights. If we don’t play a favourite song in your town, we’ll play it another night & no doubt, it’ll be captured for YouTube.
9. Could you share any memorable moments or highlights from the recording sessions of X – Love Death Sorrow that particularly stand out to you?
I just loved being back in Wales. So beautiful in darkest winter.
Picking up an acoustic guitar & suggesting we did “In Between Days” another way was magical.
I ate like a king because they all cook so well {I did the washing up}. We all had the best time. Lots of fun & we will return!
10. Looking ahead, what are your aspirations for the future of Jay Aston’s Gene Loves Jezebel, both in terms of musical exploration and connecting with your audience?
As long as we keep creating & having fun; there’s no reason to stop. Playing live is our greatest strength. Who knows what tomorrow might bring, so we’ll take each night as if it’s our last performance. We feed off our audience.
Live for today, not tomorrow.
