Janice Whaley
Janice Whaley is an American capella singer-songwriter from California.
Biography
As a teenager, Whaley suffered from polymyositis, a degenerative muscle disease. Essentially without mobility during this period, Whaley has described the condition as “a major force behind her creativity”, as music and art were the main activities available to her.
In 2010, Whaley set out to record every song by The Smiths in a year. Each song required up to 30 vocal layers to represent the various instruments in the original, and could take up to 30 hours to complete – meaning work on various songs overlapped.[1] With financial backing from supporters through the website Kickstarter, The Smiths Project was released on CD in 2011.[2]
Patchwork Life, Whaley’s first album of originals, followed in 2012. The album reflects her more recent influences, such as Laurie Anderson, Meredith Monk, John Cage, John Zorn as well as the experimental aspects of rock/alternative music by Björk, Mike Patton, and Radiohead.
Discography
Albums
- The Smiths Project (2011), album series and box set including:
- The Smiths
- Hatful of Hollow
- Meat is Murder
- The Queen is Dead
- Louder than Bombs
- Strangeways, Here We Come
- Patchwork Life (2012)
Stand-alone cover versions and collaborations
- "Trees" (2011): re-recording of track from the Curt Smith (Tears For Fears) album Mayfield.
- "Ideas as Opiates" (2012): duet with actor James Roday, original version by Tears For Fears.
- "We Need You" (2012): cover version of Duran Duran original, as requested by Simon Le Bon.
| Year | Organisation | Nominated work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | SF Bay Guardian | The Smiths Project | "Best of the Bay" | Won |
| SF Weekly | "Best of San Francisco" | Won | ||
| 2013 | Artist in Music Awards | n/a | Best Singer/Songwriter | Nominated |
| Best Adult Contemporary Artist | Nominated | |||
| Independent Music Awards | The Smiths Project | Best Tribute Album | Nominated | |
| Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards | Patchwork Life | Best Pop/Rock Album | Nominated | |
| "Tunnel Vision" | Best Electronic/Experimental Song | Nominated | ||
| Best Professional Original Song | Nominated | |||
| Best Song By A Solo Performer | Nominated | |||