OFM_Interview_Jane_Penny_TOPS_0619_DEPT 5 / 23 / 19 2 : 44 PM Page 2 TERVIEW Who would you say are your influences ? N OnTOPof IIt Recently I’ve been obsessed with China Crisis and New Musik , Brazilian musicians like Lô Borges Jane Penny , frontwoman of indie band TOPS , will and Antonio Adolfo , and I’ve been really into Japanese music for a long time . There are so many bring her distinctive voice to Orlando this month . bands and artists from the ’ 70s and ’ 80s that com - By Brittany Ann Morrisey bine live playing with synth production , that’s a big inspiration for us as a band who also likes to exper - ndie band TOPS originated iment with sounds and produce our own records . in Canada , born of the I read an interview where you said that your IMontreal alt - pop scene that friends were surprised when they first came to also gave the world artists such see you sing at shows because you’re very shy . as Canadian singer - songwriter Would you say that you are a still a shy person ? Grimes . The band started as a I’m old enough now that I’m not that shy . I’m com - fortable with who I am and if that’s not the biggest four piece , with Jane Penny personality in the room , that’s fine with me . I still get taking lead vocals and sharing nervous about shows , it’s really important for me that songwriting duties with guitarist I’m in the moment and connecting with people . But when I get on stage I have the band up there with me David Carriere . Rounding out and it’s honestly just so fun , it’s easy to get into it . the quartet were drummer Riley Fleck and bass player Thom You have such a distinctive voice . Is that some - Gillies . Three albums later and thing you cultivated or did it come naturally ? It’s a combination of both , my voice naturally has this the band has changed a bit . airy fuzz , but it’s something that I really love in other Jackson Macintosh is now playing voices , like Sade has that , or Colin Blunstone from the bass and the group is no longer a Zombies , or Chet Baker . I wouldn’t compare myself to foursome , adding fifth member any of them , they’re all too good , but I’ve definitely cul - Jane Penny seated ( fourth from the left ) with TOPS ’ current lineup . tivated that as I’ve sang more and more . I’m pretty Marta Cikojevic on keyboard . voice oriented when I’m listening to music but it’s But what hasn’t changed is the band’s always the quality of the voice or a distinctness that I For your last record Sugar at the Gate , I read that ability to create catchy , alt - pop tunes like the like , I’m almost never impressed by the fact that the band lived and recorded in a mini - mansion ones on its last released album , 2017 ’ s Sugar at someone is really “ good ” at singing unless it’s in service that was a former brothel in Glendale , California . the Gate , which features Penny’s airy voice of an undeniable hook or there’s some emotional depth What was that experience like ? spread over smooth guitar synths and dreamy and personality behind it . Minnie Riperton’s song Riley had to move back to the U.S . and we were all atmospheric pop sounds . It’s an ideal sound - “ Lovin ’ You ” is one of the only examples I can think pretty curious about LA so we decided to go there . He track for a hot day when all you want is to feel of where I go , “ I can’t believe she can sing that high . ” found the house and he still lives there . It was cool lighter than the humidity that’s dragging you I love strong wounded sounding singers , like a Stevie to move to LA after only living in Canada , all of a down . Thankfully , Penny and the whole TOPS Nicks or Marianne Faithfull . sudden it’s warm and sunny every day and there are crew are set to play Orlando this summer on these insane sunsets . We made the garage into a June 19 at Soundbar . Who are some vocalists that you admire ? jam space and spent hours there every day practicing Ahead of the band’s latest string of shows , I guess I just named a bunch , but I would add Joni and crushing cans of sparkling water . Not sure we Penny , who is now based in Berlin , corre - Mitchell , Neil Tennant , Dolly Parton , Chrissie ever really tapped in to the brothel energy of the place sponded with Orlando Family Magazine over Hynde , Ann Wilson , Tracey Thorn , Kim Carnes , but there’s a three - person Jacuzzi tub that I used a email about touring America , what artists Phyllis Nelson , Karen Carpenter , Sally Oldfield , couple times , that was pretty luxurious . I definitely inspire her and whether fans can look forward Ozzy Osbourne and Jessica Pratt . miss having somewhere to play loud music in my to new music from the band . backyard . Heck , I miss having a backyard . Are you working on new music right now or even a new album ? You are now based in Berlin . What was it You and the band are originally from Canada . We finished a record ! Gotta figure out how to release it . like going from the culture of LA to Berlin ? How do you enjoy touring cities in America ? Both cities have a strong culture of freaks , people that We’re all from Canada except our drummer , Riley , You have played in Orlando before . Any really don’t want to be mainstream and dig their who grew up in San Diego . I really enjoy touring the memorable experiences from the last time heels in a subculture . Berlin even more so I would States . It’s a much more diverse place than Canada ; you were here ? say . There are a lot of parks and busy streets with there are so many different areas with strong identi - We haven’t played in Orlando for a really , really people all around , and you can take the train every - ties , and some of the most unique cities in the world . long time , I think the last time we were there was one where . People really feel free here . I guess LA has this I love driving through the entire country and of our first tours . I remember hanging in a friend’s culture of health obsession , Berlin definitely doesn’t watching the environments change from deserts to backyard , everyone was nice and it seemed like a have that , people are smoking ciggies , walking forests and rainforests , in one day of driving you can relaxed place in a good way . around drinking beer at noon . change seasons completely . ORLANDOFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM june 2019 ORLANDO FAMILY 11