As the universal language, music has the potential to create understanding between cultures. This is of course so true in the ways rock music has been transformed by cultures around the world. I’m really glad that I heard about Jinho Jinza, a Slovenian trio that takes blues, heavy rock, and punk, and transforms them into something new. Jinho Jinza’s vocalist and bassist, Janis Salnajs, their guitarist, Samo Ismajlovič and their drummer Matej Šavel were kind enough to answer a few questions, and in this case I felt it best to include them in a Q and A format, due to their verbosity. I’ve included a link to their bandcamp.com release, where you can listen to their new album, “Today — ‘Cause The Devil Told Me so,” before buying, as well as the link to a live performance on YouTube.
Janis Salnajs (bass and vocals)
How did the band come up with its name? JS: I came up with the name when I was still playing in Kweefpossum, my former band. It doesn’t mean anything really, it sounded vaguely Asian and I liked the alliteration. On further inspection though Jin-ho is a Korean name, Jinza sounds Japanese, not sure what it means, I found restaurants with the name Jinza, a bridal couture online shop, a fishing rod brand, some musicians with the name etc.
How did you all meet? When did you form the band? JS: The band started with the collaboration between Samo and me in 2013. It was more of a project at first, something we worked on, just jamming and developing some kind of structure and reworking older songs of mine. Then we started looking for a drummer to make this a real thing. Found one – which then didn’t work out and then asked Matej.
What music did you all grow up listening to besides blues (and I discern a Led Zeppelin influence)? JS: I actually did not listen to blues much growing up. I grew up in the 70s and 80s in Berlin. I listened to a lot of “Neue Deutsche Welle” the German version of New Wave in the early 80s. The first album I bought was Non-stop Erotic Cabaret by Soft Cell. In middle school I listened to a lot of Motörhead, The Stooges, some Hüsker Dü, some Sonic Youth, Black Flag, Jimi Hendrix (which I guess is blues) and the like. A little bit later a school friend introduced me to Dead Moon, which I did not like that much at the beginning, but is now the only band I would consider myself being a fan of. Matej will be happy, that you heard a Led Zeppelin influence; he is the Led Zeppelin aficionado.
What are live performances like? The scene, the energy? JS: The album was recorded live (apart from the vocals and some overdubs) so live performance should be very close to that but better. We like to be as close as possible together to get the communication we have when practicing. We focus on the energy and flow of the music, sometimes at the expense of accuracy. So a little chaos and improvisation is welcome. We don’t take ourselves too seriously and want to have fun. I hope that that transports to the audience.
What is the song writing process like? Are they all collaborations between the three of you? JS: A lot of stuff comes from jams, where we record small snippets or sketches we then develop further. Sometimes Samo and me develop something together and then present it to Matej. From time to time, I write a song and we adapt it.
Is there any irony in Slovenians playing blues–the music originating from a marginalized minority in the United States? JS: Well, no not really. I think that at this point blues is just one of the many forms music can take. Some element to pick from when you make music. It is true that we are very far removed from the experience blues musicians had in the time of its creation. If you play with heart and enjoy yourself, play whatever you want to play.
What are some secrets of the wonderful guitar tone of Samo? JS: Samo is a classically trained guitarist and doesn’t use a pick, so I guess the fingerpicking is a part of his sound. He uses a homemade guitar effect (made by me) as the “always on” foundation of his sound. He uses it as booster, but it is actually a small 1W amp with octave up capability.
Do any of you use Fender instruments? (I grew up in Fullerton where the brand originated) JS: Yes, Samo plays a Stratocaster and uses two Fender amps. I play a Squier Bronco Bass, which was modified to a Bass VI.
Samo Ismajlovič (guitars)
How did you all meet? When did you form the band? SI: I met Janis in the local youth club Mikk, and asked him if he would try to jam with me. Matej came two years after, as we needed a drummer with an open mind:)
What music did you all grow up listening to besides blues (and I discern a Led Zeppelin influence)? SI: I was listening: everything; noise- ambient-rock- classic: Mark Ribot, Fred Frith, Robert Fripp
What is the song writing process like? Are they all collaborations between the three of you? SI: All lyrics are written by Janis, also a lot of sketches came from Janis. Process: two guitars + vocals, later came drums; but it depends….
Is there any irony in Slovenians playing blues–the music originating from a marginalized minority in the United States? SI: As we started, we didn’t think about what style will be PERFECT for us. So we play, play…..play…..
What are some secrets of the wonderful guitar tone of Samo? SI: Homemade effects, fingerstyle playing…and secret for 1 milion euros.
Do any of you use Fender instruments? SI: Always Fender!!!
Matej Šavel (drums)
Is there any irony in Slovenians playing blues–the music originating from a marginalized minority in the United States? MS: The U.S.A. needed The UK in 60s and 70s to put blues in the mainstream!
What are some secrets of the wonderful guitar tone of Samo? MS: Classical education + jazz cigars.
finis
www.jinhojinza.com
Jinho Jinza on Facebook