Jane Paknia | |
|---|---|
| Born | (2000-11-30)November 30, 2000 (age 24) |
| Alma mater | Columbia University |
| Occupation | Musician |
| Musical career | |
| Origin | New York City |
| Genres | |
| Instrument | Synthesizer |
| Labels | Eat Your Own Ears |
Musical artist | |
Jane Rosalyn Paknia (born November 30, 2000) is an Americansynthesizer player and composer from New York City. An accomplishedtrumpeter in her teenage years, her music in adulthood primarily focuses ondance-pop andelectronic jazz. Her debut EP,Orchid Underneath, was released in 2024, and her second,Millions of Years of Longing, was released in 2025.
Jane Rosalyn Paknia[1] was born on November 30, 2000.[a]Paknia was taught piano by herIranian grandmother beginning at age 5, and started studyingtrumpet at 13.[3][4][5] While a student atWeston High School inWeston, Connecticut, she was the principal trumpet in theGreater Bridgeport Youth Orchestras's Principal Orchestra, and winner of the GYBO's Concerto Competition.[4][5] Paknia later attendedColumbia University, from which she graduated in 2022, and where she met and collaborated with singerSarah Kinsley.[6]
Paknia released her debut EP,Orchid Underneath, on April 26, 2024, via Eat Your Own Ears Recordings.[7][8] South African collectiveJohn Wizardsremixed the song "Glimmers", andHagop Tchaparian remixed the title track, with the latter remix being named the 88th best song of 2024 byPitchfork.[3][9]
Paknia's second EP,Millions of Years of Longing, was released on June 6, 2025, by Eat Your Own Ears.[3] Three singles were released from the EP: "Solace", anelectronica song which Paknia dedicated to her inspirationsSophie andAlice Coltrane, came out on March 11;[10] "Waiting Pt 1", written in 2022 and based on a "Bach-like chord progression", was released on April 15;[11] and "The Dream Is This", released on May 13,[12] which was inspired by a dream ofElmo dying.[3] Both "Waiting Pt 1" and "The Dream Is This" were ranked amongStereogum's top five songs released in their respective weeks.[13][14]The Guardian's Laura Snapes compared the EP to the music ofMax Tundra,Jockstrap, and the record labelBrainfeeder.[3]Still Listening's Eliot Odgers called the EP "one of the strongest and most confident EPs of 2025 so far" and "exciting, innovative work from an artist with a clear vision and serious skill."[15]The Quietus's Anna Rahkonen called the album an inventive and exploratory sophomore effort, covering vast sonic ground across electronic, pop, andjazz-fusion."[16]
In a piece written forTalkhouse, Paknia explained her own musical style and how she came to it.[17] During her freshman year at Columbia, her trumpet abilities "strangely disintegrated", and after a low emotional point, she returned to piano and singing.[17] In that time, she had the idea to play thesynthesizer in combination with adigital audio workstation.[17] Her friend offered her a playlist full ofdance-pop music, leading her into a dance-pop fixation which she decided to combine with her interests in contemporaryjazz andelectronic music into a style she referred to aselectronic jazz.[17]
As of 2025, Paknia lives in New York City.[10]
