{{Short description|English singer, songwriter, and guitarist}} {{EngvarB|date=September 2017}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2021}} {{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject Musicians --> | name = Jane Weaver | image = Jane Weaver 2021 MAIN RGB Credit Nic Chapman.jpg | caption = Weaver in 2021 | image_size = | birth_name = Jane Louise Weaver | alias = | birth_place = Liverpool, England | birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1972|2|28}} | origin = Widnes, England | instrument = {{hlist|Vocals|guitar}} | genre = {{hlist|Acoustic|psychedelic folk|alternative rock|electronica}} | occupation = {{hlist|Singer|songwriter|composer|musician}} | years_active = 1993–present | label = {{hlist|Fire|Bird|Finders Keepers|Bright Star Recordings}} | past_member_of = {{hlist|Kill Laura|Misty Dixon}} | website = {{URL|janeweavermusic.com}} }}
'''Jane Louise Weaver'''<ref>{{cite web |url=https://repertoire.bmi.com/Search/Search?SearchForm.View_Count=50&SearchForm.Main_Search=Writer%2FComposer&SearchForm.Main_Search_Text=WEAVER+Jane+Louise&SearchForm.Sub_Search=Performer&SearchForm.Sub_Search_Text=&SearchForm.Search_Type=bmi |title=Weaver, Jane Louise |website=BMI}}</ref> (born 28 February 1972) is an English singer, songwriter, and guitarist. She runs the label Bird Records, an offshoot of Twisted Nerve Records. Weaver has performed as part of the Britpop group Kill Laura, the folktronica project Misty Dixon, and as a solo artist. She was brought up in the town of Widnes, Cheshire.<ref>{{cite web |last=Higham |first=Paul |url=http://www.getintothis.co.uk/2015/03/git-award-2015-nominee-profile-11-jane-weaver/ |title=GIT Award 2015 nominee profile #11: Jane Weaver |website=Getintothis.co.uk |date=6 March 2015 |access-date=17 July 2017}}</ref>
==Kill Laura== Kill Laura began when Weaver was in sixth form college.<ref name=":0">{{cite web |url=http://thequietus.com/articles/04418-jane-weaver-interview-the-fallen-by-watchbird |title=Bring Down The Stepford Wives! Jane Weaver Interviewed |first=Jude |last=Rogers |date=10 June 2010 |website=The Quietus |access-date=1 October 2014}}</ref> Between 1992 and 1997 Kill Laura released seven singles,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/artist/1276121-Kill-Laura|title=Kill Laura|website=Discogs.com|access-date=28 February 2026}}</ref> two on Klee and five on the Manchester Records label run by Rob Gretton, owner of The Haçienda and manager of New Order. Kill Laura disbanded in 1997.
==Misty Dixon== Weaver formed Misty Dixon in 2002. The band originally consisted of Weaver, Anna Greenwood, Dave Tyack and Sam Yates. Misty Dixon released several singles, and one studio album, ''Iced to Mode'' (2003). However, the release of the album was shrouded in tragedy following the disappearance of Tyack in August 2002. Misty Dixon broke-up in 2004.
==Solo career== Weaver's solo career began shortly after the demise of Kill Laura. She recorded an album for Manchester Records in 1998, ''Supersister'', but it was left unreleased following the death of Gretton in May 1999. A single, "Everyone Knows Everyone Else", recorded in collaboration with Doves and Andy Votel, was released from the ''Supersister'' sessions.
Weaver continued her solo career alongside Misty Dixon. Following a number of singles Weaver's first studio album, ''Like an Aspen Leaf'', was released in 2002.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/england/manchester |title=Jane Weaver |website=BBC Manchester |access-date=1 November 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070212174439/http://www.bbc.co.uk/manchester/music/bands/w/jane_weaver.shtml |archive-date=12 February 2007}}</ref> It featured contributions from Andy Votel, Dave Tyack, Rick Tomlinson, Sam Yates, Naomi Hart and two members of Elbow, Craig Potter and Richard Jupp.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2002/may/03/shopping.artsfeatures6 |first=Betty |last=Clarke |newspaper=The Guardian |date=3 May 2002 |title=Sigue Sigue sputter |access-date=20 September 2010}}</ref>
Weaver appears on the cover artwork of the 2002 Badly Drawn Boy studio album, ''Have You Fed the Fish?''.
Her second album, ''Seven Day Smile'' (2006) was a collection of home recordings and material from the ''Supersister'' era. By the time of her third album, ''Cherlokalate'' (2007), Weaver was exploring more psychedelic folk and Americana influences. The ''NME'' review of ''Cherlokalate'' (2007) declared that "Jane Weaver is the sound of Cat Power if she'd grown up next door to Oasis, stealing their Beatles records and outshining them at the school Christmas concert".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/jane-weaver/8280 |title=NME Reviews: Jane Weaver: Cherlokalate (Bird) |work=NME |first=Rebecca |last=Robinson |date=9 March 2007 |access-date=20 September 2010}}</ref>
''The Fallen by Watchbird'', Weaver's fourth album, was released in 2010. ''The Guardian'' wrote "Psych folk is back. It may have died out with the hippies in the 1970s, but now it has merged with folktronica, and the result here is not as twee and pretentious as one might fear… Weaver's fragile, unworldly voice is carefully balanced against more muscular backing".<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2010/jul/15/jane-weaver-cd-review |title=Jane Weaver: The Fallen By Watch Bird |first=Robin |last=Denselow |newspaper=The Guardian |date=15 July 2010 |access-date=20 September 2010}}</ref> The album also received a four (out of five) star review in ''Mojo''.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Tyler |first=Kieron |date=July 2010 |title=Spindle Wakes: Album Review of Fallen By Watchbird |magazine=Mojo |location=London, UK}}</ref> Weaver wrote a fairytale book to accompany the album.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://thequietus.com/articles/07141-jane-weaver-fallen-by-watchbird-book |title=Jane Weaver Writes Fairytale Book |first=Rory |last=Gibb |website=The Quietus |date=10 October 2011 |access-date=23 October 2014}}</ref> A remix album, ''The Watchbird Alluminate'' (2011), featured interpretations by electronic artists including Demdike Stare and the Focus Group.
In 2011, Weaver recorded the library music recording ''Intiaani Kesä'' for filmmaker and fashion designer {{ill|Paola Suhonen|fi}} of the brand Ivana Helsinki. A track from the project, "Parade of the Blood Red Sorrows", was also featured in the 2012 film ''Kiss of the Damned''.
The title of Weaver's sixth album, ''The Silver Globe'' (2014), is derived from the 1988 film ''On the Silver Globe'' by Andrzej Żuławski.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://thequietus.com/articles/16530-jane-weaver-the-silver-globe-album-stream-track-by-track |title=Track-by-Track: Jane Weaver |website=The Quietus |date=22 October 2014 |access-date=23 October 2014}}</ref> It featured contributions from Cybotron, Badly Drawn Boy and David Holmes. Her song "The Electric Mountain" uses a sample of "Star Cannibal" from ''Church of Hawkwind'' (1982). ''The Silver Globe'' was critically acclaimed as an artistic breakthrough and named Piccadilly Records Album of the Year 2014.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.piccadillyrecords.com/counter/product.php?pid=98456 |title=The Piccadilly Records Album of the Year 2014 |website=Piccadilly Records |access-date=18 November 2018 |archive-date=24 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190324154122/https://www.piccadillyrecords.com/counter/product.php?pid=98456 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
Coldplay's song "Another's Arms", from ''Ghost Stories'' (2014), featured a vocal sample from ''The Fallen by Watchbird'' album track, "Silver Chord". Weaver said that Chris Martin telephoned her directly for permission to use it.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/music-nightlife-news/jane-weaver-album-launch-salford-7480537 |title='I'm dead nervous about playing live again...but nerves do help keep you on your toes' |newspaper=Manchester Evening News |date=22 July 2014 |access-date=23 October 2014}}</ref>
2015's ''The Amber Light'' album is an extension of ''The Silver Globe'', with three remixes from that album alongside four new songs and three instrumentals. It was made available both with the "Deluxe Version" of ''The Silver Globe'' and as a separate release.
Another album, ''Modern Kosmology'' was released in 2017, with Can vocalist Malcolm Mooney performing guest vocals on the track, "Ravenspoint".
During October and November 2018, Weaver completed the short "Loops in the Secret Society" solo tour of England and Scotland, in support of her two most recent albums.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gigwise.com/news/3285017/jane-weaver-announces-loops-in-the-secret-society-solo-tour |title=Jane Weaver announces Loops In The Secret Society solo tour |website=Gigwise |access-date=21 June 2019}}</ref> ''Loops in the Secret Society'' was also the title of her double album released in June 2019 by Fire Records. The album contained reimagined and remixed versions of songs from her two previous albums. The deluxe bookback CD edition, released on 15 November, also contained a DVD featuring the experimental film installation which was featured on her previous tour. It was directed by Nick Farrimond.<ref name="loudersound">{{cite web |url=https://www.loudersound.com/reviews/jane-weaver-loops-in-the-secret-society-album-review |title=Jane Weaver - Loops in the Secret Society album review |first=Joe |last=Banks |website=Louder Sound |date=21 June 2019 |access-date=21 August 2019}}</ref> The first single from the album, "Slow Motion (Loops Variation)", was released in March 2019.<ref name="loudersound" /><ref>{{cite web |url=https://thevinylfactory.com/news/vocalist-guitarist-jane-weaver-new-album-loops-in-the-secret-society-2xlp/ |title=Vocalist and guitarist Jane Weaver announces new album Loops In The Secret Society on 2xLP |first=Gabriela |last=Helfet |date=27 March 2019 |website=The Vinyl Factory |access-date=21 June 2019}}</ref>
Together with Peter Philipson and Raz Ullah, under the name of Fenella, Weaver recorded a reimagined soundtrack to the 1981 cult animated movie ''Fehérlófia'' by Hungarian director Marcell Jankovics. The album was released on vinyl only on 8 November 2019 on Fire Records. A second Fenella album, titled The Metallic Index, was released on 11 November 2022 also on Fire Records.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.firerecords.com/|title=Fire Rrecords|website=Firerecords.com}}</ref><ref name="auto">{{cite web |url=https://thevinylfactory.com/news/jane-weaver-ambient-ensemble-fenella-feherlofia-vinyl/ |title=Jane Weaver's ambient ensemble Fenella announces new album Fehérlófia |website=Thevinylfactory.com |date=22 August 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://thequietus.com/articles/27378-jane-weaver-fenella-review |title=The Heroine's Journey: Jane Weaver's Fenella Rekindles Old Myths |website=The Quietus |date=31 October 2019 |access-date=20 May 2020}}</ref>
thumb|right|Jane Weaver at the South Facing Festival 2021
Weaver released a single in October 2020 entitled "The Revolution of Super Visions", from her forthcoming album ''Flock''. A second single, "Heartlow", and official video were released in January 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.loudersound.com/news/jane-weaver-releases-video-for-new-single-heartflow |title=Jane Weaver releases video for new single Heartflow |first=Jerry |last=Ewing |date=12 January 2021 |website=Loudersound.com}}</ref> The album was released in March 2021 to favourable reviews, Rough Trade also made ''Flock'' their 'Album of the Month'.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/mar/04/jane-weaver-flock-review|title=Jane Weaver: Flock review | Alexis Petridis's album of the week|date=4 March 2021|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=5 May 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.ft.com/content/41f0c844-bef9-4930-a5e1-b95bf1daf5b8|title=Jane Weaver shines as a songwriter who has made her own path on Flock|newspaper=Financial Times|date=6 March 2021|page=15|access-date=7 April 2022|last1=Hunter-Tilney|first1=Ludovic}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://blog.roughtrade.com/album-of-the-month-march-2021/|title=Album of the Month - March 2021|date=5 March 2021|website=Blog.roughtrade.com|access-date=5 May 2021}}</ref> On release week, the album peaked at No. 24 in the UK Albums Chart, the first time that Weaver has entered the Top 40.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/kings-of-leon-score-sixth-number-1-on-official-albums-chart-with-when-you-see-yourself__32673/|title=Kings of Leon score sixth Number 1 with When You See Yourself|website=Officialcharts.com|access-date=5 May 2021}}</ref> Weaver also announced in October 2020 that she had a UK tour planned for June 2021. The tour was rescheduled in March 2021 to November 2021 and February/March 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.songkick.com/artists/528524-jane-weaver |title=Jane Weaver |website=Songkick.com|date=27 August 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://thequietus.com/articles/29073-jane-weaver-flock-new-album-details |title=Jane Weaver Details New Album, 'Flock' |first=Christian |last=Eede |date=13 October 2020 |website=The Quietus}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://undertheradarmag.com/news/jane_weaver_announces_new_album_shares_new_song_the_revolution_of_super_vis |title=Jane Weaver Announces New Album, Shares New Song "The Revolution of Super Visions" |first=Christopher |last=Roberts |date=13 October 2020 |website=Undertheradarmag.com}}</ref>
"Love in Constant Spectacle" is the title of a song and official video released in November 2023, which was followed by two other tracks titled "Perfect Storm" in January 2024 and "Romantic Worlds" in February 2024. Weaver also announced in January 2024 that the title of her new album is ''Love in Constant Spectacle''. It was released on 5 April 2024. The album was produced in collaboration with John Parish. Following the release of the album Weaver will tour the UK and Ireland in April and May 2024.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.clashmusic.com/news/jane-weaver-announces-new-album-love-in-constant-spectacle/|title=Jane Weaver Announces New Album 'Love In Constant Spectacle' | News|website=Clashmusic.com|first=Robin|last=Murray|date=16 January 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.stereogum.com/2247905/jane-weaver-perfect-storm/music/|title=Jane Weaver Announces New Album ''Love in Constant Spectacle'', Shares New Song "Perfect Storm": Listen|website=Stereogum|date=16 January 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.loudersound.com/news/jane-weaver-streams-title-track-of-upcoming-album-love-in-constant-spectacle-in-april|title=Jane Weaver streams title track of upcoming album Love In Constant Spectacle in April|first=Jerry|last=Ewingpublished|date=16 January 2024|website=Loudersound.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.firerecords.com/jane-weaver-reveals-new-single-romantic-worlds-from-upcoming-album-love-in-constant-spectacle/|title=Jane Weaver reveals new single 'Romantic Worlds' from upcoming album ''Love in Constant Spectacle''|website=Firerecords.com}}</ref>
==Bird Records== Bird Records is an offshoot of Twisted Nerve Records and the Finders Keepers reissue label, and is run by Weaver. Bird was founded in 2002 and mainly releases recordings by contemporary female folk artists. These include early recordings by Beth Jeans Houghton and Emma Tricca.
Most notably, Bird released the 2007 compilation album, ''Bearded Ladies''. The album brought together both contemporary and vintage psychedelic folk female singers such as Brigitte Fontaine, Bonnie Dobson, Susan Christie and Cate Le Bon. The album spawned a club night at the Dulcimer bar in Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2008/jan/02/folk.features11 |title=Lie back and think of ukuleles |first=Jude |last=Rogers |newspaper=The Guardian |date=2 January 2008 |access-date=20 September 2010}}</ref> Weaver, and many of the artists featured on ''Bearded Ladies'', performed at the 2007 Meltdown festival, curated by Jarvis Cocker of Pulp as part of the 'Lost Ladies of Folk' event.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Paris match |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2007/jun/10/popandrock.meltdownfestival2007 |first=Lynn |last=Barber |newspaper=The Guardian |date=10 June 2007 |access-date=23 October 2014}}</ref>
==Personal life== Weaver is married to Andy Votel,<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-07-08|title=Proper Interview: Andy Votel, Finders Keepers |website=Propermag.com|url=https://www.propermag.com/site/proper-interview-andy-votel-finders-keepers-2020-07|access-date=2021-08-15|language=en-US}}</ref> and has two children.<ref name=":0" />
==Discography== '''Albums''' * ''Like an Aspen Leaf'' (mini album) (2002) * ''Seven Day Smile'' (2006) * ''Cherlokalate'' (2007) * ''The Fallen by Watchbird'' (2010) * ''The Watchbird Alluminate'' (2011) * ''Le Rose De Fer/Intiaani Kesä'' (Soundtrack, with Pierre Ralph) (2013) * ''The Silver Globe'' (2014) * ''The Amber Light'' (2015) * ''Modern Kosmology'' (2017) * ''Loops in the Secret Society'' (2019)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.loudersound.com/news/jane-weaver-announces-new-album-loops-in-the-secret-society |last1=Munro |first1=Scott |title=Jane Weaver announces new album Loops In The Secret Society |website=Loudersound.com |access-date=29 March 2019 |date=27 March 2019}}</ref> * ''Fehérlófia'' (2019) (By Fenella – Soundtrack, with Peter Philipson & Raz Ullah)<ref name="auto"/> * ''Flock'' (2021)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://thevinylfactory.com/news/jane-weaver-new-album-flock/ |title=Jane Weaver channels "day-glo pop" in new album, Flock |first=Gabriela |last=Helfet |date=13 October 2020 |website=Thevinylfactory.com}}</ref> * ''Sunset Dreams EP'' (EP) (2021)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://janeweaverfire.bandcamp.com/album/sunset-dreams-ep|title = Sunset Dreams EP, by Jane Weaver|website=Janeweaverfire.bandcamp.com}}</ref> * ''The Metallic Index'' (2022) (by Fenella, with Peter Philipson & Raz Ullah) * ''Love in Constant Spectacle'' (2024)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/jane-weaver-announces-new-album-love-in-constant-spectacle|title=Jane Weaver announces new album, Love In Constant Spectacle|website=Thelineofbestfit.com}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{commons category}} * {{Official website|https://janeweavermusic.com/}} * {{AllMusic|class=artist|id=mn0000209473}} * {{discogs artist}} * {{IMDb name|id=8669490}} * {{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/jane-weaver-inspired-by-spiritualist-art-slut-dropping-music-industry-sexist-a7833121.html |title=Jane Weaver on being inspired by Spiritualist art, slut-dropping onstage, and why the music industry is still sexist |first=Holly |last=Williams |date=10 July 2017 |newspaper=The Independent}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Weaver, Jane}} Category:1972 births Category:Living people Category:English women singer-songwriters Category:English singer-songwriters Category:Musicians from Liverpool Category:People from Widnes Category:21st-century English women singers Category:21st-century English singers Category:Fire Records (UK) artists