Photographer, Kira Crugnale.

They’re young, fun, charming, play pop infused indie rock and, yes, even have the word “party” in their band name. But don’t get confused.

“Ugh. No. We’re fucking serious musicians,” said Devon Richardson, laughing as he playfully rolled his eyes.

We met the boys from Jane’s Party on one of the first truly summer-feeling days of the year. It was still morning when Richardson, Jeff Giles, Tom Ionescu (who all share the string and vocals duties in the band) and drummer Zach Sutton rolled up. They had shades on, coffees in hand, and, despite the early start to their jam-packed day, were completely enthusiastic.

“So I’ve been telling this story to everyone,” began Giles, excited to list off their itinerary for the day. It would be starting right where we were, at a recording studio in Leslieville. From there they’d be heading out to play back up band to a local solo artist only to hit the stage immediately after as JP. “We play the Cameron House from 10 to 2 am. Or 10 to close. Or whenever we die out.

Yeah, it’s going to be a long day,” he said with a smile.

Sitting in the studio, the foursome collectively agreed that they were right in the midst of living one of the coolest things to happen to Jane’s Party so far. Not only were they on day two of recording their debut full-length, but they were doing it in the studio that belongs to much-loved fellow Torontonian act, Zeus. Although they’ve yet to set a release date for the album, they can’t wait to get the new songs out there. Ionescu, who the rest of the boys lovingly dubbed “the quiet one” even offered to play us what they’d been working on. “But it’s just going to be bass and drums. If you’re cool with that,” he said with a laugh.

“We’re really excited,” said Giles, “We’ve been sitting on a few of these tracks for a while and we’ve also got a bunch of new ones that we’re going to throw in there.” And considering the buzz that they gained after releasing their self-titled EP last October, there’s sure to be fans eagerly awaiting the album’s release as well.

“And there’s the man,” said Sutton, pointing to Taylor Knox, a musician and composer himself, who’s co-producing the album. He’d been quietly sitting by the computer getting everything ready for the day’s pending recording session when the boys started in on him, calling him everything from “the magician” to the “the wizard” to “the gatekeeper.”

It’s clear that these boys appreciate the opportunities that they’ve gotten through the friendships they’ve made in the city’s music community. From this one with Knox which helped get them into this studio, to those with other musicians they build killer concert bills with, down to that with the people at Queen West cultural hub, the Cameron House, where JP just wrapped up a month-long residency.

“There’s a bit of a snowball effect,” Giles explained about the residency, which had them playing the Cameron every Friday night in April. “You start to get people who may not necessarily be there to see you, but are there from week to week. We noticed by the third and fourth week that there were familiar faces popping in from the week before and the week before that. It sort of builds up to a really great final night.” he said.

“I like just playing music where people are up and having a good time as opposed to just sitting down and critically analyzing,” said Sutton about the band’s sound and live shows, “It’s just good to play good vibe music.” And that’s exactly what Jane’s Party deliver: the kind of upbeat sounding tunes that can get even the most reserved of crowds singing and dancing along.

“It’s not bubblegum, but it’s definitely pop. I mean, we are pop music aficionados,” said Richardson, debunking the fear so many have for the genre. “So that’s just what comes out of us naturally. It’s just, you know, honest pop.”

And honestly, listeners and concert goers love every second of it.