An Introduction to Jean Jovenet & Extraballe
Jean Jovenet, known as Jay Jay to his friends and fans, is the mesmerizing force behind Extraballe.
An enigmatic figure whose big hit 'The Most Secret Man' is so apt in describing the singer/songwriter himself,
the music of Extraballe draws you into a celebration of cerebral passions of artistic expression that transcend space, time,
and easy categorization.
An untimely artist who remains untouchable despite all trends and ends, Jay Jay has nonetheless invited
comparisons to artists as unique as David Bowie, Jim Morrison, and Ian Curtis of Joy Division.
Rock Management USA recently had an ongoing 'email discussion' with Jay Jay about his thoughts on his creativity
and the music of Extraballe, and this is what transpired:
"I've never hesitated to go as far as needed to collect the pieces I was missing to weave my stories, and my sole interest in this incarnation is to try to visualize 'the bigger picture' in the musical or lyrical realms~
The superficial is not satisfying, you've got to go further, dig deeper, always... That's why I refuse to consider this art form as a minor one, and furthermore I don't want to see it brought down to the standard of a commodity."
Jay went on to say, "If not for musicians like Bob Dylan and a few others, the whole world would still be singing 'she loves you, yeah, yeah, yeah....'
which was really quite refreshing in the turbulent times of the early sixties, but it begs the question, is this is really the whole reason to be?"
In pondering this existential question, Jay Jay gives voice to the integrity of the creative process and his efforts to stay in sync with music as a medium transcendent of time frames, thus requiring a never-ending process of experimentation, and
pushing the musical envelope. Memories, visions, premonitions, and reflections are what drive the music of Extraballe.
"Use that premonitory quality...memory is a vehicle for awareness...
If you take a long look at what's in the corner of your eye today, you will probaby fully appreciate what I am talking about.
It was yesterday, in a bubbling Parisian scene, where we all mingled and created our own bands...
My first musical mentor was Robin Millar, Mick Taylor's brother in law, a top London session man..
My friendship with Robert Malaval, a great artist, who taught me how to take it to the limits in a split second, abruptly stopped when he commited suicide, at age 40, years ago. His tragic end was a major scar, but the inspiration of his work lives on.
Now we are releasing our back catalogue of recordings from those days, back when my master tapes were spotted by Patsy Winkelman at Warner Chappell's in Paris, and we'll probably use Robert's artwork on the cover of that cd.
When we created those songs, I had gone to work with Trevor Vallis in Kent, England,
and then had the great fortune to work with my friend, Fuzz Townshend, one of England's best musical arrangers, and top drummers. We played together for four years in a band we called Weird Space.
During those years I was a bit of an 'electro clash mercenary', if that makes any sense to you...and I played with some of the best English and American musicians and producers.
In 1994, I signed a publishing deal with EMI Music Fr., and in 1998, I created the INTERFAITH Project, again with Fuzz Townshend.
These works materialize in two other albums, one in English, one in French.
Today, free from all obstacles and duties, I am back with another great new album, Read Them 'n' Weep.
I am back with the best musicians I have encountered, and the best of all worlds I have explored.
Right now MTV in Europe is opening the gates on 'The Most Secret Man' on video, and our material is geared up for
record label consideration and distribution, but time is relative, and tomorrow can always be today!
Much love always, this is my mantra..."
-Jay Jay