Jayne Karma Lamo is a neurodivergent songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Salmo, BC, Canada, who I’ve gotten to know better within the past few weeks. Jayne’s post-grunge, shoegaze-laced, alt-rock sound encompasses layers of ethereal vocal harmonies, revered-heavy guitar riffs, iconic bass lines, and lyrical content bursting with social and political commentary.
PJ Harvey, Radiohead, The Dandy Warhols, and many more have influenced Jayne’s sound, and she also makes electronic music under her alter-ego side project, Sacred Cranium.
Jayne has released five terrific full-length albums since 2020, including her latest release from 2023, Quintessence. The singles off the record – “History” and “A Punch to The Gut” – show how her sound has evolved since 2020, as they’re two chillingly atmospheric tunes that feature her mesmerizing vocals and combine her alt-rock leanings with bass lines that feel almost similar to Tool.
I got a chance to ask Jayne a few questions via email, and she was kind enough to offer some great, detailed responses about how her neurodivergence influences her songwriting, why she loves shoegaze so much, and more. Get to know Jayne Karma Lamo and her music more by checking out my Q&A interview with her below.
Interview With Jayne Karma Lamo
The Third Eye: Thanks for doing this interview! Can you introduce yourself and tell us a bit about your music?
Jayne: Thanks for inviting me to the blog! I’m super stoked to be chatting with you. My artist (and Buddhist) name is Jayne Karma Lamo; I’m currently living in Salmo, BC, Canada. My music is what I’d describe as dreamy, 90’s-inspired alt-rock with a grunge edge & shoegaze elements.
Third Eye: I love how open you are about neurodivergence. I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in college, and it can be a struggle sometimes. What does neurodivergence mean to you? And how do you think it influences your music?
Jayne: I always love connecting with other folks who identify as neurodivergent! Maybe I’m biased, but I think we are the most interesting folks to chat with ;). For me, I am Autistic, and I also have ADHD and C-PTSD. With these things come struggles with depression and anxiety, as well. All of these pieces influence my art in different ways. Music is what would be referred to as my “special interest” in the Autistic community – both listening to/being part of an audience to it and creating it. I get some of the most joy in my life from being involved with music.
Because I struggle with depression, executive dysfunction, and issues with motor coordination, I find I have to work harder than some people to become proficient at certain skills in the world of music, but other things come more easily to me because of my neurodivergence. Things like rhythm, musical arrangement, and songwriting come very naturally to me, for example – and I’m mostly a self-taught musician.
But sometimes, my memory fails me when recalling lyrics, or I have to struggle harder with progressing/learning new skills on the guitar. I also deal with performance anxiety and imposter syndrome, though not nearly as severely as in the past. So there’s always a bit of a give and take.
I use my music to express myself and process my feelings, so you’ll find a lot of lyrical content about social/emotional issues and mental health, and my music is almost always quite emotional. I’m a deeply spiritual (though not religious) person, so this often comes through in my music, too. I find that my songs are one of the few safe spaces for true self-expression that I have, without feeling judged. I am very grateful for the medium of music for allowing me to be me. It’s a wonderful modality for self-care.
An ‘album-a-year kind of gal’
Third Eye: You’ve released much music since 2020’s Dimensional Shift. If someone were to dive into your work, which album do you think they should start with? And why?
Jayne: True that!! I seem to be an album-a-year kind of gal since I got back into songwriting after a long hiatus due to being a parent of two awesome kiddos. Now I can’t stop writing! I always like to refer people to my most recent work, as what I’m doing right now is always my favourite thing ;). As my records are self-produced, my most recent albums are going to be a better example of refined mixing and mastering as well.
Though I have some favourite songs that herald back to earlier dates, I’d suggest folks start with Quintessence, which most reflects my current stage performances (even though this is also evolving – being six songs deep into the next album already).
Third Eye: Where do you get your artistic inspiration from? And has that changed at all over the years?
Jayne: My artistic inspiration comes from so many places! I grew up listening to bands like New Order, Genesis, The Talking Heads, Suzanne Vega, and The Cure…..eventually coming into my own love of grunge and 90’s alt-rock after hearing Radiohead, PJ Harvey, Tool, Pearl Jam, Hole….that kind of scene. So, I draw a lot of my sound from these influences. But I’d say my main musical influence is my Dad. I grew up watching him play music both by himself in his awesome home studios (and having access to these spaces myself, too) and jamming with his musical buddies.
I’d often play music with him and with his friends, learning from him very early the importance of being able to be fluid and be part of a jam mentality. I started writing songs probably at age 12-13, and my Dad helped me record an album when I would have been about 16 or so. I definitely give cred where it’s due, as I don’t know if I would have been this musical without my Dad’s influence! My mom is also a music aficionado, though she doesn’t play an instrument herself, and is probably my biggest fan 😉
The classic sounds of shoegaze
Third Eye: Your music is “shoegaze-laced,” as your artist bio notes. Lately, I’ve been reading about how shoegaze has exploded in popularity again. Why do you think shoegaze is “trending” again so heavily? And what is it about shoegaze that you love so much?
Jayne: I think shoegaze, having its roots in the 80’s, is likely trending because we have never gotten over those awesome 80’s staples like reverb-heavy guitars, chorus effects…delay pedals/echo. These are classic sounds that I don’t think we’ll ever see retired. There’s something deeply satisfying to me about these kinds of guitar tones – there’s a softness and expansiveness to them that just appeals to me. Maybe it’s all the Cure I listened to as a kid.
Also, there are a lot of open barre chords and capos being used and things like that – just making everything ring out even more. I like a vocal to be in the middle of a mix, too – not deeply overpowering, and not too far back – just in the middle so it sounds like another instrument. Vocals don’t have to be a total focal point. This, to me, is another element of shoegaze that I love – vocals as an instrument – and that allows for a lot of play with harmony and effects.
There are a lot of subtle production details in shoegaze that someone can hyperfocus on and have fun with – maybe it’s my ADHD superpowers that make me love it so much. I wonder what the correlation between neurodivergence and love for shoegaze is? Haha!
Third Eye: You list your influences as Radiohead, PJ Harvey, and the Dandy Warhols, among many others. Speaking of Radiohead, what’s your favorite record from them? And why?
Jayne: That is a super tough question! I love Radiohead so much, and their evolution over time has led to each album having a special place in my heart. However, if I HAD to choose, I’d definitely go with The Bends, which was my first love. I remember the first time I heard them on Much Music (Canada’s MTV) – I could not get enough from that moment on; seeing the video for “Street Spirit” was what grabbed me. I spun that CD so much that I nearly wore it out entirely. So many absolute bangers on there.
OK Computer would be a close second, but I also love their more electronic records like Kid A/Amnesiac (although I initially felt deeply betrayed by their forays into electronic music early on before I really understood and appreciated those musical stylings). In Rainbows is also fantastic. Some returning to their roots there, and some are really cool explorations into rhythm and timing. Thom Yorke’s solo material is definitely worth a spin, too. The guy is one of the GOATS, for sure.
Jamming in Salmo, BC, Canada
Third Eye: What’s one record you can’t stop spinning right now? And why?
Jayne: Right now? Knower Forever, by Knower – I’d call it funk fusion. Louis Cole is a legend, and I could not love a record more. These guys are TIGHT. The rhythm section absolutely slaps (which on several tracks features Mononeon, who is an animal on bass – playing it upside down, no less). As a bass player myself, I really appreciate this kind of writing. My favourite track is “Nightmare,” and you gotta listen all the way through for the outro (my favorite part) – this song is epic.
Third Eye: What’s going on in Salmo, BC, Canada? What’s the music scene like up there? It sounds like a small-town kind of place.
Jayne: Salmo is definitely a small town! Our population is probably around 1,500 peeps. We are nestled in the beautiful mountains of British Columbia. My family moved up from the Vancouver area about two and a half years ago, and I would never go back. I love small-town living (I grew up in Summerland, BC, another small town) and wanted my kids to have that lifestyle. The music scene is actually AMAZING here in Salmo.
There are a TON of very talented artists living here if we’re talking per capita. There’s a really phenomenal music program at Selkirk in Nelson, which is a bigger community about 30 minutes from Salmo, so there are a LOT of musicians around. Salmo is home to the Shambhala Music Festival, too, which is a world-renowned EDM festival that draws thousands of people every summer. There are many other great, well-attended local festivals around, too, including Tiny Lights in Ymir and Kaslo Jazz.
My favourite part about the local music scene here is jam night at our local brewery – Erie Creek Brewing. Hosted by our very own Marty Carter, a phenomenal and humble multi-instrumentalist, we always have a great time every Friday!! It’s my weekly ritual; it’s super good for the soul. I get the opportunity to hang back and play drums, sit in on bass, or take the mic and play my tunes if I want. Always with great accompaniment. And so much new talent is coming out of the woodwork all the time. I feel more connected to the music scene here than I did in the big city.
Third Eye: What’s next for your music career? What are some short- and long-term goals?
Jayne: I’ve been mostly a solo artist for some time, but this year, I have been gigging and co-writing with an AWESOME group of fellow musicians – so I have a full band now for really the first time ever, and I could not be more grateful. We gig as Jayne Karma Lamo & The Interbeings, playing all original music (some of my older stuff and also some new songs that have been co-written).
My main goal this year is to continue playing shows with the full band – getting folks up dancing and connecting with our tunes! I’d also love to get an album recorded with the guys to lay down our new songs. We’ve been writing more up-tempo, danceable tracks.
I’ve applied to several local festivals, which I’m really hoping for! We’ve been practicing like crazy and are putting on our best shows ever right now – playing with these gents is the most fun! So I’d say continuing that as long as we can is my main goal for now 💜. I also play bass for my friend Steve Marc’s awesome band, playing his original tunes as well. And I’m hoping for some successful grant applications. I try not to hold on too tight, always going where the music takes me, so whatever will be, will be! Enjoying what I have right now.
Support Jayne Karma Lamo by finding her on Bandcamp, her official website, or social media (Facebook, Instagram).
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