Jane Decker
{{Infobox musical artist
| background = person
| name = Jane Decker
| birth_name = Jane Ellen Decker Smith{{cite web|url=https://www.ascap.com/repertory#/ace/search/workID/920569925 |title=WAY OUT HERE |website=ASCAP |publisher=American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers |access-date=November 9, 2023}}
| alias = Decker
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1994|04|29}}
| origin = Cincinnati, Ohio
| genre = {{hlist|Pop|indie pop|folk}}
| occupation = Singer, songwriter
| years_active = 2012–present
| past_member_of = {{hlist|Formulas|Belle Histoire}}
}}
Jane Ellen Decker Smith (born April 29, 1994),{{Cite tweet|number=461533897952464897|user=Janedecker_|title=I've only been 20 for one day and I'm already going through a 1/4 life crisis #whyme|author=Jane Decker|date=Apr 30, 2014|access-date=Feb 18, 2023}} known by the stage name Jane Decker and formerly as simply Decker, is an American singer and songwriter from Cincinnati, Ohio. As a teenager, Decker fronted the bands Formulas and Belle Histoire, the latter of which was signed to InVogue Records. After Belle Histoire's dissolution, she appeared on The Voice in 2013, where she attracted attention despite not advancing, and subsequently began releasing solo music, including two EPs in 2015.
Early life
Born Jane Smith,{{Cite web |last=Baker |first=Brian |date=July 18, 2012 |title=Belle With Balls |url=https://www.citybeat.com/music/belle-with-balls-12226311 |access-date=2022-01-30 |website=Cincinnati CityBeat |language=en}} Decker grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio, where her parents encouraged her to pursue music. At age ten, shortly after she'd begun writing songs, both of her parents were diagnosed with cancer, and her father died when she was 12; shortly afterward, she began recording her first songs, something her father had encouraged in his final months.{{Cite web |last=Baker |first=Brian |date=Aug 26, 2015 |title=Upper Decker |url=https://www.citybeat.com/music/upper-decker-12172029 |access-date=2022-01-27 |website=Cincinnati CityBeat |language=en}}
Career
= Early bands (2010–2013) =
{{Main|Belle Histoire (band)}}
At age 14, Decker joined her first band, a short-lived Paramore-esque pop punk band called Formulas (previously Delta Delta! with singer Kelc Galluzzo).{{Cite web |last=Talks |first=Alex |date=2016-02-05 |title=Style Counsel: Jane Decker |url=https://www.cincinnatimagazine.com/stylescoutblog/style-counsel-jane-decker/ |access-date=2022-01-27 |website=Cincinnati Magazine |language=en-US}} While in Formulas, Decker found herself writing songs that did not fit Formulas' punk style, and her brother John encouraged her to record them, offering to recruit musicians and pay for recording sessions. With the breakup of Formulas, the 16-year-old Decker formed the indie pop group Belle Histoire in 2011, with guitarists Aaron Hunt (formerly of Seabird) and Austin Livingood, bassist Mitch Winsett, and Formulas drummer Wes Comer.
After an independent EP in 2011, Belle Histoire signed to InVogue Records in early 2012,{{Cite web |last=Bird |first=Michele |date=2012-01-12 |title=InVogue Records signs Belle Histoire |url=https://www.altpress.com/news/invogue_records_signs_belle_histoire/ |access-date=2022-01-29 |website=Alternative Press |language=en}} where they released a second EP, I Can Tell, and the full-length debut Dreamers that same year. During their existence, the group received attention from Alternative Press and AbsolutePunk and performed at MidPoint Music Festival and the inaugural Bunbury Music Festival. Decker also separately joined Chiodos frontman Craig Owens for his 2012 solo tour. The group eventually dissolved in 2013, due to member departures as well as Decker's desire for a solo career.
= Decker and ''The Voice'' audition (2013) =
In March 2013, Jane Decker introduced a new solo project, simply titled Decker, with the single "Swing"; a clip was posted to Facebook with the song being released shortly afterward.{{Cite web |last=Phenicie |first=Courtney |date=April 2, 2013 |title=Jane Smith of Belle Histoire Premiers Decker |url=https://cincymusic.com/blog/2013/04/jane-smith-of-belle-histoire-premiers-decker |access-date=2022-01-26 |website=CincyMusic}} A video for "Swing" was released on April 17, and the first Decker EP, Clean Hands, was released on April 22, 2013.{{Cite web |last=Inman |first=Alicia |date=April 23, 2013 |title=Review: "Clean Hands" by Decker |url=https://cincymusic.com/blog/2013/04/review-clean-hands-by-decker |access-date=2022-01-29 |website=CincyMusic}}{{Citation |title=Clean Hands - EP |date=2013-04-22 |url=https://open.spotify.com/album/0gC1qLyx9VeyJviKTe2iUj |language=en |access-date=2023-02-19}} In July, Decker performed at Twentieth Century Theatre alongside Plain White T's and The Wind and The Wave,{{Cite web |last=Drabik |first=Jacob |date=July 24, 2013 |title=Plain White T's, The Wind and The Wave, Decker |url=https://cincymusic.com/photos/2013/07/plain-white-t-s-the-wind-and-the-wave-decker |access-date=2022-01-27 |website=CincyMusic}} and in October she appeared at Fountain Square's Rocktober Series with 500 Miles to Memphis and Mike Oberst.{{Cite web |last=Phenicie |first=Courtney |date=Sep 30, 2013 |title=Rocktober Series at Fountain Square |url=https://cincymusic.com/blog/2013/09/rocktober-series-at-fountain-square |access-date=2023-02-19 |website=CincyMusic}}
At the advice of her management, Decker competed on season 4 of the reality singing series The Voice, performing a blind audition of Florence and the Machine's "You've Got the Love".{{Cite web |last=Whitt |first=Cassie |date=2013-04-09 |title=Jane Smith (Belle Histoire) auditions for 'The Voice' |url=https://www.altpress.com/news/jane_smith_belle_histoire_auditions_for_the_voice/ |access-date=2022-01-26 |website=Alternative Press |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Parker |first=Lyndsey |date=March 31, 2015 |title=Video Premiere: 'The Voice' Starlet Jane Decker Returns With 'Stonewallin" |url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/video-premiere-the-voice-starlet-jane-decker-115125333806.html |access-date=2022-01-26 |website=Yahoo! |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Parker |first=Lyndsey |date=June 13, 2013 |title=The 10 Most-Robbed Contestants Of 'The Voice' Season 4 |url=http://yahoo.com/entertainment/blogs/reality-rocks/10-most-robbed-contestants-voice-season-4-201811293.html |access-date=2022-01-29 |website=Yahoo! |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Hanson |first=Jake |date=2015-10-19 |title=The Voice scenesters: Where are they now? featuring Juliet Simms, Cassadee Pope, more |url=https://www.altpress.com/features/the_voice_scenesters_where_are_they_now/ |access-date=2022-01-29 |website=Alternative Press Magazine |language=en}} While she ultimately did not advance, Decker's appearance on the show received attention on Twitter{{Cite web |last=Phenicie |first=Courtney |date=April 2, 2015 |title=Jane Decker Releases Newest Single with Yahoo! Music |url=https://cincymusic.com/blog/2015/04/jane-decker-releases-newest-single-with-yahoo-music |access-date=2022-01-27 |website=CincyMusic}} and Rolling Stone included her in a list of the season's "10 Most-Robbed Contestants".{{Cite magazine |last=Parker |first=Lyndsey |date=2013-06-17 |title=The 10 Most-Robbed Contestants Of 'The Voice' Season 4 |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/the-10-most-robbed-contestants-of-the-voice-season-4-236515/ |access-date=2022-01-29 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}} She later credited the audition with solidifying her decision to end Belle Histoire and pursue a solo career.
= Pop career (2014–present) =
In April 2014, Decker (now credited as Jane Decker) was featured on Hawthorne Heights frontman JT Woodruff's solo single "Dark Young Days". That summer, Decker performed an acoustic set at the third annual Bunbury Festival, sharing a date with Fall Out Boy, Paramore, Foxy Shazam, Cults, New Politics, Andrew W.K., Kishi Bashi, Morning Parade, Hunter Hunted, Bronze Radio Return, Caspian, and Lily & Madeleine.{{Cite web |last=Graves |first=Mike |date=2014-03-12 |title=Bunbury Music Festival in Cincinnati Announces Additional Performers & Daily Schedule for 2014 Event |url=https://www.wuky.org/rock-roots/2014-03-12/bunbury-music-festival-in-cincinnati-announces-additional-performers-daily-schedule-for-2014-event |access-date=2022-01-29 |website=WUKY |language=en}} At Bunbury, she announced that she had recorded new music that would be released soon.
On March 31, 2015, Decker (now officially billed as Jane Decker) released a new single and music video, "Stonewallin'", via Yahoo! Music. An EP of the same name was released the following month on April 14,{{Citation |title=StoneWallin' ep |date=2015-04-14 |url=https://open.spotify.com/album/6iqV9RBfxKsCQChJe8wvxG |language=en |access-date=2023-02-19}} also spawning the single "Higher".{{Citation |title=Higher |url=https://soundcloud.com/janedecker-songs/higher |language=en |access-date=2023-02-19}} In July, Decker performed at MidPoint Music Festival's Indie Summer Series at Fountain Square, alongside Saint Motel, The Modern Novas, and Grenades!?.{{Cite web |last=Phenicie |first=Courtney |date=July 10, 2015 |title=Heartless Bastards Leads Third Group of MidPoint Artists |url=https://cincymusic.com/blog/2015/07/heartless-bastards-leads-third-group-of-midpoint-artists |access-date=2023-02-19 |website=CincyMusic}} In August, she played a Daytrotter Session{{Cite web |title=Jane Decker - Daytrotter Session - Aug 5, 2015 - on NoiseTrade |url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/noisetrade/music/jane-decker/aug-5-2015-daytrotter-studio-rock-island-il |access-date=2023-02-19 |website=pastemagazine.com |language=en}} and at the Taste of OTR festival alongside Goodbye June and Kansas Bible Company.{{Cite web |last=Phenicie |first=Courtney |date=Aug 14, 2015 |title=3rd Annual Taste of OTR Releases Entertainment Lineup |url=https://cincymusic.com/blog/2015/08/3rd-annual-taste-of-otr-releases-entertainment-lineup |access-date=2023-02-19 |website=CincyMusic}} She performed at the main MidPoint festival in September at Christian Moerlein Brewing Co., which also featured Purity Ring, Matthew E. White, Ride, Sylvan Esso, Heartless Bastards, Nick Diamonds, Roadkill Ghost Choir, Miracles of Modern Science, Wild Ones, Big Scary, Mothers, Turbo Fruits, Young Empires, Varsity, GGOOLLDD, JSPH, Dawg Yawp, Tyler Childers and the Food Stamps, Holiday Mountain, K.Flay, JR JR, Iron & Wine, and Tune-Yards.{{Cite web |last=Phenicie |first=Courtney |date=September 4, 2015 |title=Jane Decker is a Local to Watch Out for at MPMF |url=https://cincymusic.com/blog/2015/09/jane-decker-is-a-local-to-watch-out-for-at-mpmf |website=CincyMusic}} The festival also saw Decker release a second EP, 55, on September 25.
Speaking to Cincinnati Magazine in early 2016, Decker said that the year would be "definitely a time for writing and potentially a new release and some touring this fall." Later that year, she released a new single, "Don't Do That".{{Citation |title=Don't Do That |date=2016-04-29 |url=https://open.spotify.com/album/75iYkA0mqunENg3NAa1wId |access-date=2023-02-08 |language=en}}
During the COVID-19 pandemic in April 2020, Decker began releasing a daily series of short covers on her Instagram.{{Cite web |last=Dearing |first=Grace |date=2020-04-14 |title=Three Ways to Virtually Support Local Musicians |url=https://www.cincinnatimagazine.com/article/virtually-support-cincinnati-musicians/ |access-date=2022-01-29 |website=Cincinnati Magazine |language=en-US}} In May 2022, Decker announced on Twitter that she would be releasing her first new single in five years, entitled "Sidelines".{{Cite tweet|number=1527726538183086080|user=Janedecker_|title=Sry never tweeting but I'm releasing my first song in 5 years next Friday Sidelines out 5/27|author=Jane Decker|date=May 20, 2022|access-date=Feb 18, 2023}} The song was released on May 27.
Artistry
After exploring pop punk, indie pop, and dream pop with her previous bands, Decker's Clean Hands EP exhibited a more folk-oriented sound,{{Cite web |last=Getz |first=Ryan |date=2015-04-16 |title=Jane Decker – Stonewallin' EP |url=https://www.iamtunedup.com/jane-decker-stonewallin-ep/ |access-date=2022-01-27 |website=Tuned Up |language=en-US}} utilizing steel guitar and brush percussion and drawing comparisons to Tegan and Sara, Laura Marling, Elizabeth & the Catapult, Jem, and Tori Amos. With Stonewallin', she embraced a more traditional pop and power pop sound with electronic production that was compared to Lorde, Taylor Swift, and Haim. Decker said of the shift, "There’s a math behind pop music, and most other genres don’t have that. It’s really difficult, but it’s so rewarding when you get your own song stuck in your head," and that "Indie music is what I automatically write, but pop music is my favorite to record." She has cited Prince, Haim, and Betty Who among her musical influences.
Personal life
Discography
= EPs =
- 2013: Clean Hands (as Decker)
- 2015: Stonewallin'
- 2015: 55
= Singles =
- 2013: "Swing"
- 2015: "Stonewallin'"
- 2015: "Higher"{{Cite web |last=Staff |date=2015-07-10 |title=Jane Decker releases new single "Higher" |url=https://stitchedsound.com/jane-decker-releases-new-single-higher/ |access-date=2023-02-08 |website=Stitched Sound |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Laura |date=July 7, 2015 |title=Jane Decker Releases 'Higher' |url=https://highlightmagazine.net/2015/07/07/jane-decker-releases-higher/ |access-date=2023-02-08 |website=Highlight Magazine}}
- 2016: "Don't Do That"
- 2022: "Sidelines"
= Music videos =
| class="wikitable"
|+ !Year !Song !Director !Ref |
| 2013
|"Swing" |Valley Creative |
| 2015
|"Stonewallin'" |Colton Williams |
| 2016
|"Don't Do That" |Nate Nunumaker |
= Featured appearances =
- 2011: Aristo ft. Jane Smith, "This Isn't A Sad Song"
- 2014: JT Woodruff ft. Jane Smith, "Dark Young Days"{{Citation |title=JT Woodruff - Dark Young Days ft. Jane Decker (Official Music Video) | date=April 2014 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z25FuQ6aL3E |language=en |access-date=2023-02-08}}
- 2016: Tales of the Forgotten ft. Jane Decker, "Believe"
- 2017: Landon Austin ft. Jane Decker, "Dancing On My Own" (acoustic Robyn cover)
- 2019: Landon Austin ft. Jane Decker, "Never Let You Go" (acoustic Third Eye Blind cover)
= With Belle Histoire =
{{Main|Belle Histoire (band)#Discography}}
- 2012: Dreamers (InVogue)
= With Formulas =
- Unsaid, Undone EP (2010)
References
External links
- {{YouTube|channel=|handle=janedeckermusic}}
- [https://open.spotify.com/artist/6gwexMlbo78wmlBF8U2V6r?autoplay=true Jane Decker] on Spotify
- {{SoundCloud|id=janedecker-songs}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Decker, Jane}}
Category:Singers from Cincinnati
Category:American women singer-songwriters
Category:American women pop singers
Category:American indie pop musicians