Janice Whaley


Janice Whaley is an American capella singer-songwriter from California.

Biography

As a teenager, Whaley suffered from polymyositis, a degenerative muscle disease. Essentially without mobility during this period, Whaley has described the condition as “a major force behind her creativity”, as music and art were the main activities available to her.
In 2010, Whaley set out to record every song by The Smiths in a year. Each song required up to 30 vocal layers to represent the various instruments in the original, and could take up to 30 hours to complete – meaning work on various songs overlapped. With financial backing from supporters through the website Kickstarter, The Smiths Project was released on CD in 2011.
Patchwork Life, Whaley’s first album of originals, followed in 2012. The album reflects her more recent influences, such as Laurie Anderson, Meredith Monk, John Cage, John Zorn as well as the experimental aspects of rock/alternative music by Björk, Mike Patton, and Radiohead.

Discography

Albums

YearOrganisationNominated workAwardResult
2011SF Bay GuardianThe Smiths Project"Best of the Bay"
2011SF WeeklyThe Smiths Project"Best of San Francisco"
2013Artist in Music Awardsn/aBest Singer/Songwriter
2013Artist in Music Awardsn/aBest Adult Contemporary Artist
2013Independent Music AwardsThe Smiths ProjectBest Tribute Album
2013Contemporary A Cappella Recording AwardsPatchwork LifeBest Pop/Rock Album
2013Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards"Tunnel Vision"Best Electronic/Experimental Song
2013Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards"Tunnel Vision"Best Professional Original Song
2013Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards"Tunnel Vision"Best Song By A Solo Performer