Jane Bond
Of all the new artists in Austin, Jane Bond’s music possesses the most original vision. She refers to it as “old-timey,” and while it has its roots in jazz, country, ragtime, and blues, it sounds fresh and totally free.Originally from Lexington, Mass., Bond moved to Austin some seven years ago. Born into a family immersed in music, the 25-year-old has been singing since the fifth grade. Through her father’s love of blues, she discovered Mance Lipscomb, Janis Joplin, and Bessie Smith. Her mother taught her torch songs. When she got to Texas, Bond was in for a surprise, however.
“The old-timey songs I thought were obsolete were surprisingly familiar to the musicians I met here,” she relates.
One of the folks she met was Nathan Hamilton, who produced her CD, Jane Bond, Vol. 1, so that she could make some money selling discs at her shows. After starting with a weekly gig at the North Loop pizza palace the Parlor, the slim, tousle-haired singer began drawing raves for her weekly gigs at the Hole in the Wall.
It was there that Bond hooked up with Wayne Nagel of the Davis McLarty Agency, who’s taken the singer under his wing, booking her shows around Texas and getting her a regular slot opening for Bob Schneider at Antone’s. Now she’s getting started on Vol. 2, talking to producers and working on new material.
“I don’t have time anymore for a day job,” says Bond with laugh. “But I do have very fond memories of waitressing at the Omelettry, and I’m grateful they let me pick up shifts once in a while. There are so many people that have helped me so much. I’m very happy right now.”
This article appears in August 16 • 2002.