When did you first become interested in music?
When I was 4 years old when I first heard the Monkeys and Russel Morris “The Real Thing”.

You obviously come from a family with a musical background. Was music impressed upon you or did it come naturally?
It was both. Lets say naturally impressed on me

When did you eventually decide you wanted to become a professional musician?
I started classical singing lessons at 17 with the intension of combining singing with acting. I was in my first band together with Alf and Johnny at the age of 19. I was also studying acting at the time and thought that was what I wanted, up until the birth of The Other Ones in 1984.

Can you give us a brief history of your career up until The Other Ones? How did you start out? What kind of bands were you in? What success did that bring?
Basically, I have already answered this question. Our first band was called The ABJJ Klimax band and we were touring the North of Australia. No success came out of that , however the experience was fun. I then continued studying acting/singing. Left Australia for a short visit to Berlin, joined The Other Ones . Within 9 months we had a world deal with Virgin Records.

An Australian in Berlin. How did that come about?
Johnny and Alf came to Berlin 18 months prior to my move in 1984. I came to visit them and ended up staying and joining “The Other Ones”.

Were you at all surprised at the success of The Other Ones debut album? Did you feel that you’d made it after Holiday became such a huge hit?
Yes we were surprised but I did not think that was it. If anything, the stress of all the touring, interviews and being a center point was hard to accept. I enjoyed being in the background and soon realized I had to accept this side of the music business to stay in the music business.

How were you approached for the Bankstatement project? Did you have to audition, or was it based on a recommendation? What audition pieces did you have to sing?
I was recommended by Steve Hillage. I had met Steve a few years earlier as a potential producer for The Other Ones. He loved the track “We are what we are” and thought I would be suited to what Tony was looking for. I then flew over, met Tony and you know the rest

Melodically, We Are What We Are, sounds very similar to Tony’s musical style? Do you think that’s one of the reasons why you were originally approached/recommended?
Yes :-)  [she answered in the previous question!!]

Were you aware of Tony’s previous solo albums?
I was a fan of early Genisis and generally knew what they were all up to.

How were the lead vocal duties dished out between yourself and Alistair Gordon? Did you have to try out singing on all of the tracks to see which fit best?
Tony was quite clear from the beginning what he wanted. The tracks and pieces I sang had been written for a female voice, it was then only a matter of how to interpret each piece.

Was there anything you found challenging in singing any of Tony’s compositions?
To tell you the truth, I can’t remember. I have fond memories of it all, that I can say.

Did you have an understanding of what Tony’s lyrics were about, or were they self explanatory?
We definitely spoke about it. The lyrics were explanatory to a degree but the emotional content I wanted to hear directly from Tony.

Did you have any input into the song writing process and was Tony receptive to any ideas you may have had?
Even though Tony was very receptive to any idea I offered and great to work with, I did not have any song writing input - which was quite difficult for me. I was always used to being part of the writing team so this experience was very different.

How did the recording process differ from that which you already had experienced in previous bands?
It differed in the way that I did not have as much responsibility as usual.  I was brought into sing and everything was set up and waiting for me to do my thing. It was an easy gig, almost like a holiday.

What is your favorite track on Bankstatement?
Queen of darkness.

Was there any talk of a follow-up album or live shows?
Yes, for sure. It would have all happened if the album was a huge success.

How did recording the 2 tracks for the Still album differ to that on the previous album?
It was pretty much the same only more artists were involved.

Do you know if Water Out Of Wine and Back To Back were written specifically for your voice?
Yes, I believe they were.

How would you rate Tony as a songwriter?
Tony is a great song writer. It s really a matter of taste and how it works commercially that could put this into question.

What was it like working with Tony Banks? How did you find the overall experience?
Tony was wonderfully supportive and open to work with. I have a lot of respect for Tony. He is a strong character and knows what he wants.

Did you learn anything different whilst working with Tony, and has that had any influence in your profession?
Yes. I realized I could work with anyone no matter how successful they were. It gave me a lot of confidence and that has stayed with me ever since.

Where did your career take you after you completed your work on Still?
Lets say everywhere. I worked together with so many different artists such as Tangerine Dream, Paul Van Dyk, Terranova, Anita Lane, Tom Tykwer and many more.

How would you describe the music you are making now within You Pretty Thing?
Power Pop Rock with a playful attitude.

Do you play any instruments at all?
Not professionally but the bass guitar and piano are instruments I write with.

Who would you say have been your musical influences?
Kate Bush, Blondie, Lisa Dabello, Peter Gabriel, Psychedelic Furs

Any future projects you see yourself doing in years to come?
Besides from You Pretty Thing, I will probably start working on my solo project.

Would you consider working with Tony again, or any other members of Genesis for that matter? If so, who?
Sure! all of them. It would be a great experience, working with talented professionals.

How do you feel about Bankstatement and Still nearly 20 years? Do you still listen to them occasionally?
Like everything I have worked on. I pull it out every once in a while. I have fond memories and I am happy with my musical development.

Thanks very much to Jayney for taking time out of her busy schedule to answer these and to the many fans who posted their questions.

Don’t forget to check out Jayney’s current musical outfit, You Pretty Thing.