Janie May

Brooklyn-born and driven by soul, Janie May writes songs about what happens after you survive, when you choose yourself and don’t look back. Rooted in Alternative Pop Soul with R&B and Country influences, Janie crafts lyrically incisive anthems that explore identity, resilience, and emotional freedom. Her stage name is an homage to the fierce protagonist of Zora Neale Hurston’s "Their Eyes Were Watching God," reflecting Janie’s own artistic journey toward voice, agency, and self-definition.

Janie’s music lives at the intersection of Gloria Gaynor’s unapologetic strength and Amy Winehouse’s emotional depth. Drawing inspiration from artists like Fiona Apple, Lauryn Hill, Dolly Parton and Sharon Jones, her sound feels both deeply personal and immediately relatable.

A classically trained ballet dancer, Janie approaches music as a full-body art form. Movement plays a central role in her performances and visuals, informed by her belief that music and motion are inseparable. This philosophy extends to her music videos, which she treats as an essential part of the storytelling. It’s a modern pursuit of the “total work of art.”

Based in NYC, Janie has performed at venues including Sleepwalk, Pianos, and Sanger Hall, and has earned features in Fault Magazine and Songwriting Magazine UK. Since releasing her first single in 2019, she has evolved from a debut EP to her first full-length album in 2025, with her sophomore record in February 2026.

Her album, "Not Going Back," captures a pivotal emotional threshold: the moment you let go, move forward, and choose yourself. Janie’s music is for those who know what it’s like to take the leap, just as much as it is for those standing at the edge.