Bas Jan

Bas Jan’s debut album ‘Yes I Jan’ was released on Lost Map Records in February 2018. The record features the combined talents of Steer, Sarah Anderson (electric violin & OP1), Jenny Moore (drums) and Emma Smith (bass guitar). It was recorded by Capitol K, Leafcutter John and Leo Abrahams. The album launch party took place at Total Refreshment Centre, Dalston with Steer, Emma Smith (violin) and Rachel Horwood (drums) and Sarah and Jenny joining for ‘King Of Holloway Road’, support from SDF.
This was followed by a remix mega mix tape- ‘Yes We Jan’ featuring remixes by Natalie Sharp (aka Lone Taxidermist), Jason Buckle (All Seeing I), Benge (Wrangler), Hannah Peel, Ube Babae (aka Rachel from Trashkit, Bamboo and Bas Jan), SDF, Chooc Ly Tan (FKA Spacerwoman), Danelaw, Lunch and Gameshow Outpatient (composer Matt Rogers).
They have been championed by BBC 6 Music’s Marc Riley. Bas Jan have performed (at The British Film Institute) & recorded with Jarvis Cocker on an adaptation of ‘Likely Stories’ by Neil Gaiman for Sky (See ‘Listen’ below). They have performed live at Serpentine Summer Pavilion in london, Green Man, End of the Road and Supernormal, as well as BBC 6 Music Live and Radio 3. Last summer they performed at Berlin’s Wassermusik Festival ‘Brexit- Goodbye UK and thank you for the music’, along side Scritti Politti.
In November 2018 they released ‘Instant Nostalgia’ EP on 12 inch vinyl with Rachel Horwood on drums and Emma Smith on Violin. The album launch took place at Five Bells in New Cross with support from Clementine March. At that time, they also toured the UK supporting Drinks (Cate Le Bon and Tim Presley). .

In September  2020 Bas Jan officially became a 4 piece with Rachel Horwood- drums & vocals, Emma Smith- bass guitar, violin & vocals, Serafina Steer- kbd, bass guitar & vocals, Charlotte Stock- electric violin & vocals. They won Arts Council Funding to rehearse as a four-piece and an album at Cafe Oto. Because of the pandemic and Rachel’s pregnancy, this project was only made possible by ACE’s generous financial support. Cafe Oto, Beats To The Bar and Upset The Rhythm were instrumental in bringing about the bands’ live performance that year. The resultant LP ‘Baby U Know’, Bas Jan’s second full album, is due for release on Lost Map later this year.

 Reviews for Bas Jan’s debut album ‘Yes I Jan’-

 “MESSY MAJESTY”, UNCUT 9/10.

“BEAUTIFULLY FRACTURED ART-POP”, MOJO 4*.

 “DAY-TO-DAY STORIES FULL OF UNCANNY POP PUNK MAGIC” , THE QUIETUS. ‘Yes I Jan’ was also included in The Quietus albums of 2018 list.