Formerly part of French electro crossover act Poney Poney, the members Antoine Hilaire on vocals/guitar and Florent Lyonnet on bass/vocals along with David Aknin on drums are now performing under a new name. Poney Poney who had Justice's Xavier de Rosnay on production for their early singles (as released on Teki Latex's Parisian label Institubes) made catchy electro songs and embarked on multiple remix projects but Jamaica promises to be something more focused and entirely different. Dazed premier the new video from the guys' new single ‘Short & Entertaining’.

Dazed Digital: What's the main difference between the existence of Poney Poney and Jamaica?
Antoine: Jamaica is a brand new outfit for us. We put much more energy and time in it than with Poney Poney. It of course sounds different, clearer yet heavier and that's because of our hard work on the album. We cut a lot of all the useless parts we used to have in our previous songs, we wanted to let our love for really direct and simple songwriting shine, since it's harder than making things complicated for no reason.

Finally, we let some influences that were hidden show again, like The Police or Todd Rundgren because we're more confident in our taste now that we spent more time paying attention to details than before. And the name is of course far better.

WHAT'S…
...so special about you, then?
Antoine: It's not up to us to answer that. A pop grungehead meeting a funk fan loving Pantera is already a strange duo though.
Flo: Magic

...your worst vice?
Antoine: I smoke far too much but I'm French so it qualifies.
Flo: Food

...the world coming to?
Antoine: Tsunamis and earthquakes but the USA will send a hero to save us all.
 
... the story behind the new name?
Antoine: Since our former drummer left, we wanted to start from scratch. We mixed Madonna, Nirvana, Oasis and Jamiroquai to find "Jamaica" and it worked since we always wanted to be part of the places names bands like Boston, America, Chicago, Asia, Japan and so on.
 
...your worst fashion secret?
Antoine: I always wear the free stuff we get, even those which are ugly, or too large or too tight. Some friends call me "free wear".
Flo: Thong
 
...your favourite website?
Antoine: Today we're on a day off in Oslo and it's YouTube. I love Surkin's web radio too. And [Centre De Piano] is really useful. Oh, and I confess I check Hoops Hype really often because I'm a basketball nerd.
Flo: Wikipedia, Disco Delicious and Producer Today.

...better, analog or digital?
Antoine: I love warmth and cold so it's even.
Flo: Analog
 
...at the top of your shit list?
Antoine: Cab drivers. Paris and Oslo ones are leading the way.
  
...are you listening to now?
Antoine: Right now, I'm sharing a hotel room with Julien from Chateau Marmont who's our substitute drummer and he's playing me some new tunes from his band. They're good so I'm jealous and I come back to my newborn Jeff Lynne obsession with The Move and E.L.O.
Flo: Pink Floyd, Alan Parson, The Twelves
 
How would you describe your work?
Antoine: Sincere, entertaining, hopefully smart and fresh yet definitely French.
Flo: Delicious guitars + power drum + Hyway bass line = ROCK 2010

Video directed by Martial Schmetz & Jeremie Rozan / Surface 2 Air
Special guest: Igor Cavalera