Jarboe Interview

J2 is a collaboration between Jarboe (Swans) and Justin K. Broadrick (Jesu, Godflesh). They just released their debut EP, combining his creative arrangements and her ethereal vocals and keyboards. Over the years Jarboe has worked with artists in many different genres, including metal. We spoke about her work with Justin K. Broadrick, and her upcoming solo CD that includes collaborations with Phil Anselmo from Down and Attila Csihar from Mayhem.

Chad Bowar: Had you worked with Justin K. Broadrick before?
Jarboe: We worked on his last EP, where I read the words and sang the vocal on the song “Storm Coming On.” Before that in 2005 I did a show in London and he was one of the artists that did the show with me. I was brazen enough to ask if he would do the live sound mix for me that night, and he did. He put a lot of delays and holds and things on the mix of the sound, and it was so incredible. It was really a special show for the audience because of his artistry and skills going into the sound. I was very excited with what he did.

How did the J2 project come about?
Originally we discussed Justin producing the album that I have been recording here in New York. It was just scheduling difficulties with his tours that shifted it to where we decided we’d either wait until he could get to it with his touring schedule, or try to do something before he went on tour. So we decided to work together in the way we did, to see what would happen. It was a good way to initially work together. What it resulted in was a file exchange, an internet collaboration in which I sent him files of things I had done at home in terms of keyboards and vocals. Then he would download it, play guitar, add things, manipulate it and then send it back. That was the way we worked. It was exciting and fun.

Read the complete Jarboe Interview

(photo courtesy The End Records)