With iconic musical inspirations and a solid, personal healing journey through music, grunge-rock fusion band JBNG are far from Meh, ironically the name of one of their albums. This time around, with Run, the Vancouver-based group is on a trajectory for greatness. “Live at the Biltmore” is just the start. JBNG’s founder and lead vocalist Jaben Groom spoke with Splash recently about the healing power of music and more.
Congrats on the somewhat recent release of “Live at the Biltmore.” Tell us, how did this work come about, and what has the reaction been like so far?
Thanks! This project happened when Henri Brown from HB Wild approached me with the idea of filming and recording a live show and he did a fantastic job. People are amazed by the quality he did with the sound–and then getting it mastered for vinyl and cds.
Your discovery of music and the healing power of song is really inspiring. Can you share this story with our readers? And, maybe share some words of inspiration?
Music is undoubtedly my medicine. And I take it everyday :). Your vocal cords are connected to the Vagus nerve which when stimulated, gets out of anxiety. I didn’t know this when I started to sing 2 years ago. I just needed to sing everyday as I was going through a hard time. And it made me calmer so I did it everyday and still do two years later. I sing and play the guitar for 60 minutes everyday. So, in addition to that daily healing process physically, I let myself heal emotionally with what the topics of the the songs are about lyrically. And I always feel better after the fact. I used to be on all sorts of antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications. But I don’t need them anymore. I’m pretty sure you don’t need to scream your guts out like I do, but you could probably accomplish the same thing by humming.
How did the group come together, and how has this collaboration shaped the work, and the trajectory of JBNG?
The group came together from a collaboration with me and my friend of 30 years Al Yoshizawa and we later met Matt Koopman in the studio while recording Run and then Tim Charman and Jonathon Goldie online. They were so talented that they just knew the songs and the first practice was so amazing like we had been doing it for years. They helped build the confidence of the music that was previously not there, helped spread the word around Vancouver and helped feel like the trajectory is limitless
You’ve mentioned inspirations like Nirvana, Led Zeppelin, Buddy Holly, to name a few. Those are some big name mentions there. How has their music influenced the group and goals for your future as a band?
I would never compare myself to those acts. They are legends. However, I do find the odd thing in my music that reminds me of them and I’m proud to be inspired by the best we’ve ever heard. There’s so many artists that have influenced the music; and as time goes on that variety gets explored more and comes out.
What are you currently working on?
We’re working on the next album right now, called Bye. It’ll be released before the end of the year. I’m hearing, without intention, some Van Halen, some Marvin Gaye, Pixies and Guns N’ Roses just in the first couple songs. I’m excited.
What can listeners expect from the album?
I hope to be evolving with every album, not necessarily better. With every studio experience you get more confident to explore and experiment and enjoy the studio experience on its own. This album has no demos. Just show up and start recording and let things happen organically
What’s your favorite aspect of being a musician? Creating in the studio? Or performing live?
My favorite aspect of being a musician is truly the healing I feel from it daily, the connection I have with band mates we’re in it together on stage, and the childlike exploration in the studio when it happens.
If you could picture the perfect plan for JBNG five years from now, what does that look like?
A perfect plan for JBNG is to build it as a sustainable business. There’s the music, the studio, live acts, but there’s so much more like practicing, promoting, touring, merchandise networking. The plan is to do it all under one umbrella–JBNG Music ltd. And grow it from there. We’re working on the next album already and plan to have a release soon after. And release every year forever; as creating isn’t the problem. It’s what to do with it after it that takes time to learn. But once you do it, you’ll know that forever and can hopefully keep growing.
Official Website: JBNG.CA
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/jbngmusic
Twitter:
https://x.com/jbngmusic
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/jbngband/
Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/artist/2piMcrVkMJaHUBZr3DeBf3
Bandcamp:
Soundcloud:
https://on.soundcloud.com/KuzZXL8qyDAEx6eJA
Youtube Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@jbngmusic
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