ERIKA JAYNE: DANCE-POP SENSATION MARKS THE RELEASE OF HER ALBUM ‘PRETTY MESS’ WITH LUXE EVENT AT THE COCO DE MER IN LA

DT:     AUGUST 21, 2009

FR:      ALEXANDRA GREENBERG/MITCH SCHNEIDER, MSO

The first sentence of your bio reads: "If disco balls, ecstasy, pearls, Studio 54, sex, crystal chandeliers, Purple Rain, and Crème Brule, could be whipped in a blender and made into a delicious pop-dance musical confection, you would have Pretty Mess, the debut CD from dance-pop’s latest sensation Erika Jayne."  Can you elaborate on your fascination with fantasy and decadence?

Erika Jayne: The world can be a harsh place to live in–I prefer to focus on things that allow people to use their imagination and feel better about life.

Congrats on your new hit and third #1 dance single “Give You Everything.”  What do you feel is the special charm on this song—it’s connecting real fast with listeners in the dance clubs?

It’s fun and everyone has found that one person who captures their heart.

What are your favorite songs on the album?  Which were the most fun to write and record?

“Beautiful” and “Pretty Mess” are my favorites–both are a little windows into my soul.

What inspires you artistically beyond music itself?  Any films, books or other cultural stimuli?

Black and white movies and erotic poetry.

You have a fearless and bold quality to your persona.  How did this develop?

Many hard knocks.

You love to entertain.   What’s your favorite thing to serve? Do you have a signature cocktail 

Tons of caviar and the champagne flows freely 

If you were to do a private performance for anyone in the world–living or deceased–who would be in the audience?

Marlena Dietrich, Jack Kennedy and Frank Sinatra 

You have a great set of male dancers you perform with. How do you pick them out? Do you audition them yourself?

Mikey Minden hand picked the boys and I must say he did a GREAT job.

Who are some of your favorite clothing designers?

Alexander McQueen, John Galliano.

How did you get hooked up with Sheila E. (who plays percussion on the sexually charged “Time to Realize,” one of the four songs Erika co-wrote)?  What was it like working with her?

Sheila was working down the hall and I asked Peter Rafelson to introduce us because I’m such a fan and we became friends. Having her on my album is simply amazing.

You are a very well-traveled woman. What are some of the most memorable places you’ve been?

Hanoi, Vietnam was quite interesting. Tanzania was amazing and Managua, Nicaragua was the scariest.

What are your top 20 favorite songs at the moment?

1. deadmau5 “Attention Whore” – Provocative lyrics on top of a hot track.
2. Madonna “Lucky Star” –  That’s my girl. 
3. Frank Sinatra “My Way” – Is there any other way? 
4. Eric B and Rakim “Paid in Full” –  Rakim is amazing. 
5. Louis Prima “Jump Jive an’ Wail” – I feel like dancin’!!!! 
6. The Doors “LA Woman” – I’m an LA woman and I like it. 
7. Buckcherry “Crazy Bitch” – No explanation necessary. 
8. Patsy Cline “Walking After Midnight” – Tough broad, smooth voice. 
9. LMFAO “I’m in Miami Bitch” –  When I want to escape. 
10. Isley Brothers “Between The Sheets” –  My favorite place to be…. 
11. Teddy Bears “Cobra Style” – Make me wanna party. 
12. Samuel Barber “Adagio for Strings, op. 11” – Pure harmonic genius and tragic romance at it’s finest. 
13. Motley Crue “Girls, Girls, Girls” –  Being bad gets a bad rap. 
14. Edith Piaf “Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien” –  Brilliant. 
15. Backstreet Boys “I Want It That Way” –  Pure unadulterated pop—Love it. 
16. Bon Jovi “You Give Love a Bad Name” –  Love the 80’s!!! 
17. Queen “Fat Bottomed Girls” – Freddy always turned it out . 
18. The Rolling Stones “Honky Tonk Woman” – Brings out the trash in all of us. 
19. Notorious BIG “Juicy” –  Gone too soon. 
20. Michael Jackson “Billie Jean” – Simply the greatest, period.