He is signed to Gnomonsong, a record label run by Devendra Banhart and Vetiver's Andy Cabic. His solo debut album Blank Unstaring Heirs of Doom was the label's debut release. He later completed his second album "There's No Home" as well as "Carrion EP".
While in Texas, Hunter founded and played in the Houston band Matty & Mossy with Heath Flagtvedt, Matt Frey and John Hunter. Their album, Fraimers Haimey, was recorded in Athens, Georgia with Chris Bishop and released on Fleece Records. The album reached #1 on the radio charts of KTRU-FM and KSPC, and songs from the album were used in the soundtrack of Andrew Bujalski's films Funny Ha Ha and Mutual Appreciation.
In 1994, when Hunter was 16, he was violinist in the Greater Youth Orchestra of Fort Worth (Texas.) This quickly and naturally led to smoking cigarettes, hanging out in a VW Van and joining local hippie band McGillicutty. Hilariously, this group soon disbanded due to creative differences, and Hunter began in earnest the pursuit of solo writing, performing at local open mics and house parties.
Arlington, TX (Jana's hometown) is a depressing place, and Hunter took that sentiment to New York (1996) and eventually Houston (1998), writing dark, severe and beautiful songs that more and more reflected a paranoiac view of the world. These were shared for the most part with a few friends, occasionally in the guise of rock songs in his now-defunct band, Matty & Mossy, and eventually, at a few shows in Houston, opening up for touring bands.
A show in 2003 with Devendra Banhart, led a year later to Hunter's inclusion on his Golden Apples of the Sun compilation (Bastet). In 2005, Devendra and Jana released a split vinyl album on Troubleman Records, followed quickly by the release of Hunter's debut solo album, Blank Unstaring Heirs of Doom, in October of that year on Gnomonsong.
Since his initial release, Hunter has repeatedly toured North America and Europe, joined forces with Castanets as their sometimes touring bass player and vocalist, guested on albums by CocoRosie and Metallic Falcons, played at the Banhart-curated All Tomorrow's Parties, recorded a soon-to-be-released album with a new band, Jracula, and prepared a split release with his fellow Houstonians, Indian Jewelry.
Hunter has also appeared on the following compilations: The Enlightened Family (Voodoo-Eros), The Black and White Skins (Les Disque Du Crespuscule), Furniture Record's Sheets of Easter Everywhere singles series, and the online lullaby collection from Blogupmusique.com. ...Heirs of Doom was re-issued in a very limited run as a double cassette on Fuck-It Tapes in June, 2006.
Hunter, in a fit of drunken ingenuity, helped devise a plan to tour by sea. Along with friend Red Hunter (Peter & the Wolf; no relation), Hunter charting a late summer tour for 2006 along the Intracoastal Waterway from New York City to Norfolk, VA., in a sailboat. Good friend and former WFMU staple OCDJ skippered his own vessel, and Ray Raposa (Castanets) completed the bill.
Sleep
Jana Hunter Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sleep the nights through
All your demons are coming for you
All that we've seen may nod out the truth
Sleep as the sky starts turning blue
Sleep as the day is boiling new
Sleep as the watering sleeps too
Sleep your seas
Sleep
Sleep the day is done
How does the setting sun
All your racing has just begun
Sleep as the life starts coming undone
But you can start having all the fun
Winner, how restless, and carry on
Sleep in sleep you will dream you won
The lyrics of Jana Hunter's song "Sleep" are open to interpretation. The theme of the song seems to be about finding solace in sleeping despite the turmoil and uncertainty of daily life. The first verse talks about how sleeping erases the nightmares of our minds and how our realities may not always show us the truth. The next verse reveals that sleeping is the best way to deal with the challenges and obstacles that come with life. It provides a way for us to recharge, dream, and prepare for the battles ahead.
Line by Line Meaning
Sleep
Take rest, close your eyes and drift off to sleep
Sleep the nights through
Sleep through the nights without any worries or fears
All your demons are coming for you
You may encounter your innermost fears and worries in your sleep
All that we've seen may nod out the truth
The reality we perceive during daytime may not be entirely true or real
Sleep as the sky starts turning blue
Sleep as the night shifts to dawn and the light starts seeping in
Sleep as the day is boiling new
Rest as you prepare to face another new day filled with challenges
Sleep as the watering sleeps too
Sleep as nature around you also rests, and things become quiet and peaceful
Sleep your seas
Allow your mind to relax and calm down
I'm sleeping with you
I will be next to you, keeping you company while you sleep
Sleep the day is done
Take rest after finishing all the activities of the day
How does the setting sun
Observe the sunset, the sky changing colors, and enjoy its beauty
All your racing has just begun
Even as you rest, your thoughts and ideas may be racing, and you may find inspiration in your sleep
Sleep as life starts coming undone
Relax as everything around you falls apart or changes suddenly
But you can start having all the fun
Still, you can have fun and enjoy life to its fullest
Winner, how restless, and carry on
Be passionate like a winner, stay restless and continue forward
Sleep in sleep you will dream you won
In your sleep, you may dream of winning and achieving your dreams.
Writer(s): Jana Hunter Copyright: Two Thousand And Eleven Ribbon Music
Contributed by Jake Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.