Meet Felice Janecke

We had the good fortune of connecting with Felice Janecke and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Felice, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
I think that risk is inevitable! Ultimately, it’s more risky to do the right thing, whatever that means. Its more risky to be kind to outsiders, its more risky to voice when criticism that is important to you, and its definitely risky to pursue art as a career (especially independently). While every one of those risks doesn’t pay off every time, I find that taking the right risks, the risks that represent you morally, end up paying the highest dividends for the longest time. Nobody ever did anything good by playing it safe, so I take the risks that I believe will let me do good, well.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I wouldn’t say I’ve gotten anywhere revolutionary, but being able to make my own music on my own terms, and help many others do the same is truly a dream. Being able to spend most of my waking hours doing what I love, with people I love, is a gift that I don’t feel I deserve. Everywhere I’ve gotten professionally has been far preceded by genuine friendships. If you’re kind and caring to everyone, there are enough talented people who will match your energy. Through them, many pathways open up. Audio engineering is a saturated market, just like music marketing and production. The current industry is a massive wall in the way of all of the beautiful creativity that comes out of the people, for the people. What I want everyone to know about my brand is that we’re all facing the same challenge. We’re always gonna stand the best chance working together, being humble, and owning our roles. I seek to embody that and I’ve found many people who do so with me. The only lesson I would take is to be an exemplarily kind person, work hard on what you’re talented at, and recognize people who are doing the same. Teaming up with them out of mutual passion is how great change happens.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If I had a friend in for a weekend, I’d start by taking them to Amoeba Records. You haven’t been introduced into the west coasts’ music scene until you make your pilgrimage to one of their locations. Obviously I am partial to their Hollywood location, but I think all of them are worth visiting! I would then take them to grand central marketplace for lunch, preferably to Berliner Currywurst. I think that visiting Venice Beach is a fundamental Southern Californian experience, and there is something so lovely about walking through Marina Del Ray. After which, I would either get dinner at Spitz’s Little Tokyo or Lala’s on Melrose

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
While there is no one formal organization, I want to shout out the Inland Empire’s remarkably vibrant music community. All of the organizers, bands, and friends that go out to whoever’s show on any given weekend. It’s where I’m able to perform, where I find collaborators, and most importantly all of my best friends. I owe it everything really.