What’s That Noise?

Michelle da Silva

Jane Vain & The Dark Matter

Jane Vain & The Dark Matter is the sound of loneliness, abandonment, and self-awareness. Fronted by the ethereally lost Jamie Fook on vocals, keys, guitar, and beats, each song exposes what seems like Fook’s innermost thoughts. This winter, creep into Fook’s privately compelling lyrics as she goes on tour with her band mates, Dillon Whitfield on guitar, Britt Proulx on bass and backup vocals, and Jzeero Schuurman on drums.

The band began in 2003, when Fook brought her newly-penned songs to open mic sessions in Calgary. There, she met Whitfield — also a member of the band Raccoon — who suggested playing guitar alongside Fook. The two got a lot of attention while touring Calgary and decided to add Proulx and Schuurman to round out the band. Four years after their first meeting, Jane Vain & The Dark Matter are set to release their first album, “Love Is Where the Smoke Is,” under Rectangle Records on Jan. 15.

Fook’s vocals are a mixture of Sinead O’Conner’s rich, free-spirited sound and Cat Power and Emily Haine’s lost and abandoned little-girl spirit. The single, “C’mon Baby Say Bang Bang,” is playful and sensual. Fook’s voice is casual and melodious over a layered mix of piano, acoustic guitar, and strings. Another song, “Ships Bound To Sink,” sounds channels Portishead with its dissonant and mellow vibe.

The album won’t drop until next year, but Jane Vain & The Dark Matter will start touring in mid-November. Catch them in Alberta before they make their way east after the New Year and stay warm this winter in Fook’s lulling melodies. For a complete list of tour dates, visit the band’s Myspace page.