Medejin are an Ethereal/Dream Wave group that feature Jenn Taranto - Vocals, Keyboard, Guitar, Rebecca Gutterman - Guitar, Matthew Cooke - Drums, Ramsey Troxel - Bass. Their sound is atmospheric and will hook you with how it builds a wall of sound, so you've got to check them out. But also check out what they had to say in our Artist Spotlight Interview!
1. How did you come to pursue music and how long have you been at it?
"I remember singing as long as I can remember talking. I started taking piano lessons when I was nine and guitar lessons towards the end of high school. During my last year of college, I played some at coffee shops with my acoustic guitar, though mostly covers, but this is when I started writing."
2. Could you walk us through your process of writing music?
"My process tends to vary, but I always try to record my ideas, either starting on piano or guitar first. Sometimes I’ll have a vocal melody in mind that comes without playing an instrument, but usually it comes while playing. I’ll keep tweaking sections of the vocal melody if I think it can be stronger. If an idea is really clear, then I’ll hear all the parts pretty immediately - drums, bass, guitar and or keyboard and record what I’d like them to do. Other times, my bandmates write their parts and we’ll tweak it together. I also love harmonies so I’ll capture those ideas. Maybe I’ll find something I recorded a while ago that I may have forgotten about, but I’ll hear it again and get inspired with new ideas to finish it."
3. What artists have inspired you in your career?
"The artist that had the biggest influence on me growing up was Tori Amos so she definitely has inspired me. I love PJ Harvey, Liz Fraser and Cocteau Twins, Jenn Wasner (Wye Oak, Flock of Dimes), Bat for Lashes. The local music scene inspires me."
4. Do you have any favorite music gear (guitars, amps, effects pedals, keyboards, etc.) that you love to use? If so, what’s the story on them?
"I love my keyboard and my electric guitar so not to take anything away from them, but if I had to choose a most precious piece of gear, it would have to be my Zoom MRS-802B digital 8 track recorder. I’ve had it for almost 15 years and have recorded much of my work on there. All of my ideas have been recorded on the Zoom as well as a lot of released material so it’s really valuable and sentimental to me. It’s the one piece of gear I really feel I know my way around. I’m also very excited about my new guitar pedal - Mr. Black Bloodmoon."
5. Can you describe the vibe at your live shows? Also, what do you enjoy most about a venue when you do a show?
"There’s a quiet intensity and subtle, low key, moody dance vibe. What we like most about a venue is a room that brings the audience closer to us and creates an intimate experience. Good sound and communication and involvement with the sound person is always a plus."
6. What is one thing that you want the public to know about your music?
"I never thought I could write my own songs."
7. Do you have any upcoming projects you would like fans to know about?
"We will be featured on KEXP 90.3 FM twice in March; first on the 'Music That Matters' podcast with Larry Rose on March 8th as well as a live in-studio performance for 'Audioasis' on March 16th with Eva Walker. We’re also working on a new single coming out in the spring."