ICYMI: #WomanCrushWednesday IG Live featuring Jane N' The Jungle

BY LAURA HARPER/WWR Staff Writer

It is well known that rock is a largely male-dominated genre, but this does nothing to deter Jordan White as the vocalist of rock band Jane N’ The Jungle.

Born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, White was always surrounded by music. Despite being a shy child who dealt with some speech issues, she loved to sing and participated in drama and choir in school. She would eventually go on to attend college in Los Angeles, California and receive a degree in musical theater.

“Musical theater has made me who I am today,” White said. “I use all of my training in Jane N’ The Jungle.”

While rock vocals are much different than the style typically used in theater, White says her musical theater background allowed her to break out of her shell and develop the character she uses on stage.

In fact, it was her stage presence that eventually led to the unique name of her band. After hearing many people comment on the contrast between her wild performances and her normally quiet demeanor, the name “Jane N’ The Jungle” stuck.

Jane N’ The Jungle really came to be after the current guitarist, Brian Dellis, approached White after a show and asked if she would like to form a band. White says they had an instant connection and have stuck together ever since.

White says she mostly views Jane N’ The Jungle to be a live band, and many of their songs are meant to reflect the drama and theatrics associated with live performances. Although the COVID-19 global pandemic has put a pause on live shows for the last year and a half, they are excited to get back on the road. Currently, they have a show booked at The Viper Room in Hollywood.

Although White says she has not experienced many challenges associated with being a woman in the male-dominated rock scene, the band has encountered some difficulties in finding their niche within the rock genre. In the past, they have been told they are too soft for traditional rock but too hard for alternative rock. In more recent songs, they feel that their music is now leaning towards a more streamlined rock sound.

“We need more rock singers,” White said. “It’s been a really fun space to fill.”

One of their songs called “Trouble” has been breaking through to rock audiences, with the song being featured on multiple rock playlists on Spotify, as well as the Spotty Potty playlists on MTV’s Spankin’ New. White scored these spots after reaching out to one of the playlist curators in her efforts to take more charge of the business aspect of her music career.

“It’s a troubling spot to navigate both worlds,” White said.

Currently, Jane N’ The Jungle is working on a new single and music video slated for release in September. In the meantime, she wants to focus more on the creative aspects of her career.

“If you mean it and you feel it, your audience will too,” White said.

For more on Jane N’ The Jungle, you can check out the entire interview on the @OfficialWomenWhoRock IGTV channel on Instagram.