John & Jehn


John & Jehn are a lo-fi/indie rock duo from France, in which John and Jehn are respectively Nicolas Congé and Camille Berthomier.

History

John & Jehn started their musical career when the couple moved from their hometowns to London at the end of 2006. The first song they wrote together was "20 L 07". Their influences included Serge Gainsbourg, the Velvet Underground, Jean-Luc Godard, Gang of Four, John Fante, Joy Division, Jacques Brel and Johnny Cash. They released their debut album, nearly all of which was recorded in their bedroom, on indie label Faculty Music Media in April 2008, to critical acclaim.
After touring Europe, the pair returned to Angoulême in the summer of 2009 to build and record in their own studio, and to rehearse for their initial live shows as a quartet. Their second studio album, Time for the Devil, was released on March 28, 2010. To support their second album on stage, John & Jehn were joined by Raphael Mura on drums and Maud-Elisa Mandeau on guitar. For their UK tour, Gemma Thompson was added on guitar.
In 2010, John & Jehn settled back in London. They toured Europe and appeared on the front cover of Artrocker magazine.

Other projects

In 2005, Berthomier played the leading role in À travers la forêt. She also appeared as an actress in the 2009 film Sodium Babies.
In 2011, they created their own Pop Noire label, which aimed to release their new records and other artists produced by John in the John & Jehn studio in London. The first release, by the artist Lescop, was the track "La Foret", issued in October 2011.
In October 2011, Berthomier and Thompson formed the London-based post-punk band, Savages. Congé acts as Savages' producer.

Members

Touring members
  • Gemma Thompson - backing vocals, guitars, keyboards
  • Niall 'Liquid K' Kavanagh - drums

Discography

Singles

DateSingleBacked withRecord labelFormatOther details
2007"My Friends""Make Your Mum Be Proud"Phuckit7"1,000 only
2008"20 L 07"-Faculty Music Mediadigital
2008"Fear Fear Fear""Sister"Faculty Music Media7"1,000 only
2010"Time for the Devil"-Naïve Recordsdigital