Vancouver’s Jakalope are gaining footing in the pop/electronica genre, while garnering increased attention on the heels of their October release, Things That Go Jump in the Night. Joe Leary spent 24 Seconds with lead vocalist and keyboardist Chrystal Leigh.
24: What’s the transition been like to take over the lead in an existing group?
CL: It’s been very exciting for me. The first time I came across Jakalope was at the old A&B Sound on Seymour Street. I remember seeing Born 4 on a listening station and thinking, “I wish I was the one singing on this”. Years later I got the call that Jakalope was in need of a new singer and it felt like fate. Needless to say excitement took over any anxiety of having to replace someone.
24: How has the sound or the chemistry of the group changed?
CL: I think the music has more of a rock/pop vibe to it and it’s also a very good representation of mine and Dave’s musical taste. There are elements that are still very similar; the industrial pop aspects, but my vocals are quite different from Katie’s (former lead singer Katie B.)
24: A band is always heavily influenced by its producers. What does Dave “Rave” Ogilvie bring to Jakalope?
CL: Dave is a huge part of why this project is so original. There’s not much industrial pop in the commercial scene but Dave has a way of combining universal pop music with dark industrial sounds. His credentials can pretty much explain what makes him different from everybody else.
24: What’s been the response from fans?
CL: The responses have been quite diverse. We’ve made many new fans from people who haven’t heard of the band before. I’ve been accepted by pre-existing fans and rejected by others. That’s how it goes though; you win some and you lose some. Reviews from critics of our live shows have always been quite positive and the CD has been receiving positive feedback since its release.
24: What’s it like being part of the 604 Records family?
CL: I haven’t had the opportunity to meet with Chad Kroeger yet but Jonathan Simkin holds pretty close relationships with the artists he signs and is very involved in our career. When he believes in someone, he sticks it out with them. Jonathan saw me sing almost 10 years ago and had kept in touch with me all these years and when a project came up that he thought I’d be good for, he still had me in his mind.
