Erika Jayne

Erika Jayne

Erika Jayne is an American pop vocalist, songwriter and performer associated with pop, dance, electronic and house music. Born in 1971, she grows up in Atlanta and later moves to Los Angeles. She is known for her club-oriented releases, electro-influenced production and dance-pop vocals.

Early life and training

She is involved in music and performance from an early age. As a child, she appears in musical theatre, including roles as Val in A Chorus Line and Frastrada in Pippin. She studies singing, dancing and acting at North Atlanta School of Performing Arts during high school, and tours internationally in the school’s revue show, performing songs including “9 to 5” and Madonna’s “Get Into the Groove.” At 18, she moves to New York and sings in several girl groups before choosing a solo career.

Recording career

Jayne’s debut album, Pretty Mess, is released in 2009 on E1 Records. The 14-track set combines dance, rhythmic pop and electronica. Peter Rafelson and Eric Kupper produce and co-write the album, while additional production comes from Esthero under the name Pinklake, Jahi Lake and Ike Dirty. Sheila E. plays percussion on “Time to Realize,” and the album includes a cover of Apollonia 6’s “Sex Shooter,” which becomes part of her live set.

Her first major dance success comes with “Rollercoaster,” which reaches number one on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart. She then follows with other chart-topping singles including “Stars,” “Give You Everything” and “Pretty Mess.” “Stars” also reaches number one on the Billboard Dance Play chart, appears in the film American Summer, and spends 12 weeks on LOGO’s The Click List, peaking at number two. Other songs from the album are placed in films including Deal, Bumper and The Neighbor.

Later releases and remixes

Jayne launches Pretty Mess Records and issues “One Hot Pleasure” as a release on the label. The track is written and produced by Dave Audé, with co-writing from Luciana Caporaso and Nick Clow. It becomes her latest number one Billboard Hot Dance Club Play hit in the material provided. The song is supported by remixes from Audé, Ralphi Rosario, Sultan & Ned Shepard and DJ Mr. White, along with a video co-directed by Mike Ruiz and Mikey Minden.

She also releases remix packages for “Give You Everything” and “Pretty Mess.” The remixes of “Give You Everything” by Paul Harris, Mark Brown and Michael Woods place on the UK music charts, reaching number two on the Music Week Upfront Club Chart and number six on the Music Week Commercial Pop Club Chart, which marks her first appearance on the UK charts. A remix version of “Pretty Mess” includes work by Dave Audé, Tracy Young, DJ Escape & Johnny Vicious, Larry Tee, Bill Hamel, Klubjumpers, Peter Rafelson and Marshall Stack, and is paired with a video cut to the Dave Audé remix.

Style and performances

Her songs are described through themes of decadence, nightlife and club culture, with references to disco balls, Studio 54, pearls, purple and dessert imagery in the presentation of Pretty Mess. Her work is built around catchy melodies, electronic beats and dancefloor production. She also performs at Pride events in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Palm Springs, Miami and New York.