Words by Theo Thompson
Photos by Orson Salha
Just Jane’s journey into the world of music is one deeply rooted in a blend of classical training and a love for electronic sounds. From a young age, she excelled in music, mastering instruments like the piano and oboe, securing all grades in both these instruments by the age of 18. However, it wasn’t classical music that called her forward, it was the pulsating rhythms of rave that ignited her true passion.
Growing up in South London, Jane was surrounded by the sounds of grime and dancehall, which became essential elements in shaping her unique style. “Having grown up in London, grime sounds were very, very prevalent,” She reflects that growing up in a diverse city gave her a natural ear for blending these genres into her production. Inspired by early rave experiences and artists like My Nu Leng, Bonobo and SBTRKT, her sound captures a fusion of dark, bass-heavy rhythms and melody-driven structure.
Jane’s entry into the world of DJing wasn’t straightforward. As a young woman in a male-dominated environment, she often found herself hesitant to jump on the decks, despite her clear love for the craft. “I should have started mixing younger,” she admits. “I wasn’t getting on the decks… because it was all the man going.” This subconscious barrier, she explains, delayed her progression, highlighting the gender imbalance that permeates the industry: “It was like a fear of not wanting to be judged.”
Her self-taught DJ journey started just after lockdown, where the encouragement of friends led her to experiment at Pirate Studios. From there, her growth was organic, driven by a love for the craft rather than any ambition for fame. However, the challenges in the industry quickly became apparent. Jane is vocal about the gender disparities, particularly in music production. “Women need to produce their own music,” she emphasises. “Most women at the top, it’s the same person producing their music… It’s a token moment.” She cites Flava D as a major influence, admiring her for being one of the few women to produce her own tracks and stand out on male-dominated line-ups. “Flava D showed women that, yes, you can do it, you don’t need a man to produce for you.”
Jane’s passion for staying authentic in her sound is palpable. She refuses to cater to fleeting trends or societal expectations, instead focusing on the music that feels true to her. “I’m releasing when I’m ready. I’m not going to get someone to tell me, you need to release a track, therefore you need to rush it,” she asserts. For her, DJing and production are expressions of creativity and self-empowerment, shaped by her classical training but unleashed by the freedom of electronic music.
Despite the barriers and pressures, Just Jane’s commitment to authenticity and self-expression remains at the core of her artistry. She hopes to inspire the next generation of DJs and producers to break through limiting labels and embrace their own creative paths: “In three years, I want to see the industry celebrating artists for their originality, not for how well they fit a mould.” With her talent, resilience and vision, she is not only pushing boundaries but creating new spaces for women in the industry to thrive.
