Image // Dane Hansen
Words // Thomas Jeppe (speaking with Japanther’s Ian Vanek)

I first saw Japanther in 2004. Their performance changed what I thought about live music, about band and audience interaction, and about what music can do when it is approached and practiced as an all-encompassing art project. After the show, Ian Vanek, drummer of the band, was outside the venue talking with kids propped on the sidewalk, friendly and forthcoming. It was a stark contrast to the violence, both literal and figurative, of the gig that ended moments before. There was a sense of camaraderie between Japanther and the kids in the pit that seemed to materialise so suddenly; most of the crowd was seeing this foreign band for the first time, with little or no prior contact with their music. But it jelled.

Japanther return to Melbourne for a show on the 2nd of March. Their approach to playing shows hasn’t changed: since we saw them last, they’ve toured extensively in Europe, Canada and the US meaning that a lot of their life has been spent on the road, in a van. The band’s time away in turn has affected their time at home, inspiring conceptual projects like the punk noise/synchronised swimming event at NYU ‘Dangerous When Wet‘, and inclusion in the Whitney Biennial, playing the soundtrack to a puppetry-opera-tragicomedy curated by artist Dan Graham in Don’t Trust Anyone Over Thirty.

These are giant leaps from playing shows in bathrooms, bedrooms, bars and pubs. But it does not signal an end to the Japanther that we in Melbourne have grown to know. Rather, these new directions in performance are an extension of the community they’re a part of, a community that exists across cities, states and countries. It speaks volumes of the band as an art project – silk screened t-shirts, self-designed everything – to be recognised and included by veritable pillars of the official art academy. There is no top forty chart busting success to accompany Japanther’s acknowledgment in the art world. And surely, they wouldn’t have it any other way.

On growing popularity and the burdens of fame:
“The creation of media is up to us, right? Media like songs and magazines. Whom we bend to is also up to us. I for one would really like to hear more hip hop stars speak on proper eating and respect for your fellow man.”

On the influence of music scenes across the world:
“With the advent of the internet and MP3’s the notion of imported music will soon be laughable. I love what has happened to information and dread nothing.”

On being part of an international community:
“We have great friends in Melbourne and Køln. Community building and eating with strangers is one of the great joys of being on tour.”

On Japanther’s lives since last they visited Australia:
“Two years is long in magazine years! We’ve been making music and art and laughing a lot whilst in some van on some highway. We got to collaborate with fine artist Dan Graham and Olympic swimmer Lauren McFall. So I’d contest we have grown in numerous ways. That said we will return to Melbourne a much funnier band!”

On what’s on the horizon for the band:
“A dance animation performance. Set to premier at Performa 07 Nov, 2007 in NYC. Featuring: Dan Graham, Penny Rimbaud, Layla Child & Sonja Robbin + Jah Jah and Olivia Brown.”

On the highlights of the last trip to Melbourne:
“Roof top dance party with The Sonics blasting and a heck of cute girls!”

//end//

Japanther play Children of the Night this Friday March 2nd at Roxanne, level 3, 2 Coverlid Place, Melbourne city. They are supported by Muscles, Fabulous Diamonds and Kim Jones will be playing a special DJ set fresh off the plane.