Ringing in Ears

Megan James

Megan James
Megan James

There’s no telling what she’ll spin, but it’s likely that Megan James’ goal is to make you dance. The singer for Canada’s ghostly electro-pop duo Purity Ring has dabbled in the DJ booth for a couple years now. As she told the Santa Barbara Independent, “I’m just looking for what makes me dance.”

James and her music partner in crime, producer Corin Roddick, rose to fame after leaving experimental pop band Born Gold (then known as Gobble Gobble) and recording breakout hit “Ungirthed,” which would appear on their buzzy 2012 freshman album Shrines, a glitchy futuristic study in club music marked by James’ angelic voice — like a sweeter, softer Canadian Bjork.

Experimental is the name of James’ game, as she’s gone on to collaborate with hip-hop artist Danny Brown, and Purity Ring has done covers of Soulja Boy and Lady Gaga while also producing the song “God’s Reign” for Ab-Soul.

Surely James will rejoin Roddick soon, as their highly anticipated sophomore album Another Eternity is due out March 3. Meanwhile, she’s found solace in wearing the DJ hat. “It’s a lot more relaxing,” she says later in the Independent interview. “I think it’s a lot easier and there’s a lot less pressure. And instead of everyone standing there watching you, everyone is there to participate in something you’ve made.”

Eugene’s electronic outfits Tetra Bomb and Octonaut will join Megan James 9 pm Friday, Jan. 23, at WOW Hall; $12 general, $10 students. All ages.