Jane N' The Jungle Reveals Bold New Single "Parasite" and Connects with Us About the Song's Provocative Message
- STAFF
- 1 day ago
- 8 min read
By: Staff
Jane N' The Jungle's "Parasite" is an electrifying anthem that redefines rock with fierce passion and razor-sharp precision.
Get ready to be electrified: Jane N' The Jungle is back with a bold new single that will leave you questioning the world around you. Their latest track, "Parasite," dives deep into the complexities of modern life and technology, offering an intense and raw reflection on how artificial intelligence may be reshaping our very nature.
We recently spoke with the powerhouse duo behind the Phoenix-based band, Jordan White and Brian Dellis, about their evolution as artists, their fearless approach to blending genres, and the deeper themes explored in "Parasite." Known for their unapologetic energy and gritty sound, Jane N' The Jungle has always pushed the envelope, combining 90s alternative, punk grit, and metal with emotional depth. The new single is no exception, mixing razor-sharp guitar riffs with electrifying vocals to create a hard-hitting commentary on the parasitic relationship between humanity and technology.
But it’s not just the music that captures your attention: there’s a rawness to the band’s storytelling that resonates on a personal level. As they prepare to unleash Parasite to the world, we dug into the creative process behind the track, the challenges of growing from garage-band roots to festival mainstays, and what it means to stay authentic in a rapidly changing musical landscape.
So, if you’re curious about the story behind the song and what’s next for the band, keep reading. You won’t want to miss their insights.
Here’s how it went:
Begin Interview:
Hello Jane N' The Jungle, we’re thrilled to have you here for this interview! We've had an amazing time exploring your music and diving into your creative journey. Now, we’re even more intrigued to get a deeper look into both your brand and your personal and professional inspirations.
Q. Can you share the story behind the band's name, Jane N' The Jungle? How do you feel it reflects your sound and overall ethos as a band? Also, what are the key roles each of you plays in shaping this project?
A. My childhood friend Brian Dellis and I started a garage rock band in 2013 under a different band name. In 2015, we had some people say I reminded them of the Tarzan character Jane Porter. They thought I was quiet and shy, but then on stage I had a demanding presence with a voice they weren’t expecting. We liked the name and officially became “Jane N’ The Jungle.” We thought the name was fun and gave a hint of what you might expect from a show: a female-fronted band that was bold and untamed, mixing different alternative genres. I definitely tried leaning into the Jane archetype in the early days, and that quickly shaped where the band was headed with a free-spirited perspective.
Q. We absolutely love the story behind this song. "Parasite" tackles the concept of AI turning humanity into 'parasites.' Honestly, it needs to be a movie! What inspired you to explore this theme, and how do you see AI's impact on society today?
A. Thank you, I’m so glad you like it! As a musician, artificial intelligence seems terrifying, like eventually human art will dwindle away and artists will be replaced by a non-human powerhouse that is only becoming stronger and mainstream. We knew it was a subject we wanted to write about. After we wrote Parasite, I have since tried to explore AI and use the tool for good purposes or references, learning to not be so afraid of the harm it could do. I think human art will still thrive over artificial intelligence; being human and imperfect is what makes us unique. I think society will be forced to adjust in working with this new technology because it’s not going away. I feel strongly about developing laws for AI and defining the boundaries, specifically those concerning the creation of art, songwriting, and music.
Q. The band’s sound blends 90s alternative, punk, and metal elements. Was this always your style and, if you do verge off the path, what are your go-to “drop-in” genres?
A. Our love for 90’s grunge and alternative music is what influenced our songwriting and band development in 2013 and the early years together. Pretty early on, we started being booked with hard rock bands such as Powerman 5000, From Ashes to New, Lacey Sturm, and DED. Even though we weren’t a hard rock band, the promoters felt our emotional live performances and vocal grit fit the lineup. We always got good feedback from the audience, which came to our surprise, and it made us want to lean into the hard rock and metal genres. You might be able to hear our sound heading more into the hard rock direction within the last couple of years. Disco Lemonade was the last song we released that went back to our 90’s alternative roots. We’ve had fun teetering between the different genres, but now, currently, we’re working on a new hard rock project we hope to launch next year that will be more streamlined and specific in its sound.
Q. Jordan, your vocal energy is often described as electrifying and emotionally charged. What kind of headspace do you need to get into when recording or performing songs like Parasite?
A. I graduated with a musical theater BFA from the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in Los Angeles and New York City. My performance background and theater techniques help to create the emotion for the recordings and live shows. It’s more of a fire you feel in your gut rather than a specific headspace.
Q. You’ve been described as having a raw, visceral style in your performances. How do you balance the intensity of your music with the emotional vulnerability that seems to underpin much of your songwriting?
A. It probably has to do with my training and being a part of the emotional energy of the song like a play. There are different elements throughout the beginning, middle, and end. I do my best to portray each cadence of emotion in the verse, chorus, and bridge to capture the different intensities of the songwriting and storytelling. I think the different levels of emotion and intensity help to make each part interesting.
Q. We read about the band's growth from garage rehearsals to performing at national festivals. What has been the most significant change in your approach to music or performance since those early days?
A. Looking back at it now, it seems like we have come such a long way from where we first started. Each year we’ve been able to develop and hone in on our craft. We had humble beginnings and a lot of learning lessons along the way. The more you practice, perform, and write, the better you get. I think that’s why tours can be so important for a band’s growth. You can see such a difference from the first to the last show. At the end of the day, you have to remember your “why” and why you are doing it. I think if you are connected to why it’s important to you, it gives you the direction and passion to keep going in a genuine way that feels real and means something.
Q. Brian, your guitar riffs are a signature part of Jane N' The Jungle’s sound. Can you talk about your songwriting process? Are there any specific guitarists that have influenced your career?
A. My process starts with trying to create something Jordan wants to sing over. Creating interesting textures and moments that tastefully accent the song as a whole. Some guitar players that influence me or inspire me: Billy Corgan, Zakk Wylde, Kevin Cadogan. I try to be unique in my own artistry, and think of myself as more of a songwriter than guitar player.
— Brian Dellis
Q. Given your extensive touring history with bands like Sammy Hagar & The Circle and Escape The Fate, what’s one memorable lesson you've learned from these live performances that has shaped your music or performance style?
A. We try to put on the best show we can. People have a good idea of what they are going to get from the headliner, so we try to bring the energy and vibe right from the beginning of the show. It’s an honor being able to share the stage with these great bands, and it’s not lost on us. We do a lot of show prep beforehand to ensure everything is good to go!
Q. You’ve worked with Cameron Mizell on Parasite. How did his production style influence the final sound of the track, and what did you learn from him during the collaboration? A. His production style added a lot of raw realness to the track with a lot of cool ear candy and creative production. I learned how to be a better writer in the studio from him and his techniques.
— Brian Dellis
Q. The transition from a garage band to playing on national festival stages is a huge leap. What’s been the biggest challenge for you in maintaining authenticity and staying grounded while scaling up your career?
A. As an independent artist, it’s always a challenge to maintain the momentum you gain. That on its own keeps you sharp in having to continue forward without losing your edge. Pushing yourself to do better after each time helps to stay grounded while trying to scale up your career.
— Brian Dellis
Q. How does making music make you feel? Does this song’s origins come from real experiences, and performing it allows healing of the feelings that created it, or does it make them resurface?
A. Making music has many different emotions: sometimes sad, frustrating, angry, exhausted. We pour our hearts into each project we do and can sometimes second guess if it even sounds good at the end. We usually feel proud of what we’ve been able to achieve and hope it can resonate with those who hear it. Performing it does resurface the emotions from when we were writing the song. I try to use as much life experience as possible in our songwriting.
Q. You’ve conquered so many big stages already, but what are two more you wish would be on your future list of tour dates?
A. Hollywood Bowl; I worked in the operation department there in 2010 and experienced some of the behind-the-scenes firsthand as a staff member. It would be a cool full-circle moment. It’s one of my favorite venues to attend and holds a special place in my heart. Lollapalooza would also be a dream of ours. I had my first Lollapalooza experience in 2011, and it definitely inspired goals I had early on with the band.
Q. Outside of music, who or what has had the biggest influence on your personal growth or artistic perspective?
A. My family has always encouraged my love for music, and I couldn’t be where I am today without their support. I also could not have done it all without Brian as my writing partner and him pushing me to become the best artist I can. We’ve had to lean on each other a lot lately with our newest creative endeavor. It’s all been really hard, but rewarding when it feels like our efforts paid off.
Q. What do you want people to remember most about you after hearing this song and reading this interview?
A. I am just a regular person, an imperfect human, and that alone will make us all unique. I hope the song can spark conversation about AI and potentially lead
to ideas and ways we can go about AI differently in the future.
Q. And finally, what’s next? Can you give us the inside scoop on your upcoming projects and what fans should be excited about? We'd love to be the first to share the news!
A. Our next project has been on the down-low since Brian and I are still trying to wrap our arms around it. Since January of this year, we have been working on a new hard rock project with new producers and a team that we look forward to sharing more information soon. It will be launched under a new band name. Jane N’ The Jungle will still very much be alive and well, and we hope this can help Jane get back to our 90’s grunge alternative roots, while our new project will be in the modern hard rock and metal genre. We greatly appreciate all the support for our music and are excited for what’s to come!
Jane N' The Jungle, thank you so much, we appreciate you taking the time to talk to us!
End Interview
We’re happy to have shared Jane N' The Jungle’s exciting journey with you and uncovered such inspiring insights about their creative process.
