Baby Jey is an Edmonton indie pop band who wear their love of classic disco and synth-pop music on their sleeves. “What’s the Point of Saying Sorry,” the lead single from their upcoming LP, Crop Circles, was recorded using vintage keyboards from the 80s and 90s, the Korg M1 and the Yamaha Motif ES7.
Its lyrical themes have a double meaning, explains the band:
Some people listen to the song and think it’s about someone who is bitter, saying ‘who cares that I’m hurt, as long as we”e sleeping together, then everything must be fine.’ But other people take a straight up understanding of the lyrics – that words can only say so much and that there are things we can express with physical touch that are also emotionally powerful. Saying sorry can be important but spoken language isn’t the only way that people communicate.
Baby Jey‘s members were raised on the Canadian prairie, only to spend their college years studying and playing shows in the urban jungle of New York, finally moving back to their home of Alberta amidst the frenzy of the global pandemic.
Their sophomore album, Crop Circles, blends spacey synthesizers, cosmic samples, and subtle hints towards their prairie upbringing, including pedal steel guitar. Crop Circles will be released in full on November 24th.
Can you tell readers about your new project with Baby Jey, an Edmonton indie pop band that fuses Y2K-inspired synth-pop with a distinctive Canadian prairie influence from our upbringing?
How does this release differ from your previous projects?
“Crop Circles” showcases a more danceable sound compared to our previous album, “Someday Cowboy.” The songs feature stronger hooks and lean more towards electronic instrumentation, with the prominent use of drum machines and synthesizers. While the pedal steel guitar remains a hallmark of our sound, there are no acoustic guitar, banjo, or mandolin elements as found on our last record. “Crop Circles” can be seen as “Someday Cowboy” with a touch of glitter and grander production.
What aspect of this single are you most proud of?
I take pride in the fact that we managed to track down an old Yamaha Motif ES7 to record the synth sounds on the song. Interestingly, the Yamaha was delivered by FedEx and left beside a garbage bin in the middle of the street. If I hadn’t retrieved it in time, it might have ended up in a garbage truck, despite being shipped all the way from Japan for almost $1000!
What were your specific goals for this release?
Our main objective was to create a more danceable record than “Someday Cowboy,” with catchier hooks and electronic instrumentation. I believe we successfully achieved what we set out to do!
What inspires and motivates you to create music?
We’re driven by the desire to make a positive impact on our community and the local music and arts scene in our hometown of Edmonton. “Crop Circles” draws inspiration from our roots, even incorporating samples of old public domain Alberta radio broadcasts from the time crop circles first appeared in the province. Our performances aim to bring people together through celebration and entertainment. Art and music offer unique insights and evoke emotions, which is a powerful motivator for us.
If you could collaborate with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
I would choose Prince because of his exceptional songwriting skills and innovative arrangements across various genres.
What was the last song you listened to, and who are your all-time favorite bands/artists?
The last song I listened to was “Walking Into Sunshine” by Central Line. As for my all-time favorite bands and artists, they include Steely Dan, Patrice Rushen, Prince, Arthur Russell, Joni Mitchell, Stereolab, Caribou, and George Benson.
Where can readers find and stay connected with you?
You can find us on Instagram at @thebabyjey.
Any final thoughts or messages you’d like to share?
We invite you to visit our underrated Canadian hometown of Edmonton! It’s a fantastic place to explore and discover.
