Artist Interview: Julia Adrian
Julia Adrian is a rising star in the music industry, known for her clever lyrics and genre-bending style. We sat down with her to discuss her unique journey, creative process, and aspirations for the future.
Tori: How does your background in corporate law influence your approach to the music industry?
Julia Adrian: It’s difficult to have both a creative mind and a music business mind. Switching between the two can be tricky in terms of creating music and marketing it, but I think having a background in law has helped prepare me to handle the non-creative aspects as best as I can.
Tori: Your music spans multiple genres. How do you decide which style to use for a particular song?
Julia Adrian: My music falls under the pop umbrella but has a wide range of influences. I think it really depends on what comes out of my brain! I listen to many different genres, and I think that makes its way into my music when I’m writing.
Tori: What inspires the witty, conversational tone in your lyrics?
Julia Adrian: I think in the end it’s just my personality and the way I like to talk about any given situation! I have a dry sense of humor, and I think that comes out in my lyrics.
Tori: Your music often features organic instrumentation and jazz-influenced vocals. Can you tell us about your musical influences?
Julia Adrian: I grew up listening to artists like Norah Jones, Amy Winehouse, and Ella Fitzgerald, but I’m equally obsessed with modern pop lyricists like Sabrina Carpenter, Julia Michaels, and Taylor Swift. I love the mix of timeless instrumentation with sharp, clever writing.
Tori: How do you balance humor and intensity in your songwriting?
Julia Adrian: I think you can make (almost) any situation have a light tone or a sad tone by the way you frame it. Many of my more upbeat, playful songs came from a deeper meaning or feeling. My personal favorite is lyrics that would be sad if not for a good beat.
Tori: Your debut EP was released in April. What can fans expect from the upcoming deluxe EP?
Julia Adrian: They can expect to hear songs in a new way! Versions, remixes, and where they started from. Behind the scenes, if you will.
Tori: You've had success as a songwriter, with three cuts and three more on the way. What's that experience like?
Julia Adrian: I love writing for other people as well as myself. It’s so much fun to get into someone else's brain and help them take their emotions and life experience and turn it into art.
Tori: How do you collaborate with other artists and industry professionals, such as A&Rs and publishers?
Julia Adrian: The music industry is such a people-focused business. Talking to as many people as possible and being as genuine as you can is, in my opinion, the best way to go. So many of the people I work with started at coffee, getting to know each other as people, and grew from there.
Tori: Your music has been featured on several playlists. What does that mean to you?
Julia Adrian: Every single person who chooses to add my music to their playlist or feature me means more than they will ever know. It’s hard to get people to pay attention, and sometimes it feels like you’ll never get a response, but you have to keep going! Consistency is key.
Tori: Can you tell us about your live shows? What can fans expect from an acoustic set versus a full-band show?
Julia Adrian: An acoustic set is intimate, stripped-back, and gives me an opportunity to tell the stories behind the songs. A full-band show allows me to perform the songs in a different way. It’s more dynamic, and I want people to leave feeling welcomed into a community, and like they’ve been part of something cathartic.
Tori: You've performed at various venues in Nashville. What's your favorite venue to play?
Julia Adrian: Oh, good question! I love a raised stage so I’d have to say Musician’s Corner at Centennial Park or The End.
Tori: How do you draw inspiration from your life experiences for your songwriting?
Julia Adrian: I’m always writing little song concepts and titles and lines. I keep a running list of tiny moments and thoughts, and a lot of the time those details find their way into the song.
Tori: Your song "what's the harm?" has a distinct '80s vibe. What inspired that aesthetic?
Julia Adrian: I love how 80s aesthetics are coming back in a modern way. I wanted to use some 80s-inspired elements, including subtle synths.
Tori: Can you walk us through your creative process when writing a song like "what's the harm?"
Julia Adrian: When I went in to write this song, I knew I wanted to show more of my personality by painting a picture about who I am in relation to this attitude of being confident and slightly delusional. I had a vision for the structure and a few lines I knew I wanted to use, and it just kind of fell into place from there. I’m really excited with the place we were able to get the song to, and I’m so grateful for my collaborators!
Tori: How do you build anticipation for your music releases, such as the upcoming single?
Julia Adrian: I think when I’m authentically excited about my song, it shows when I’m posting and talking about it. I love sharing little stories or behind-the-scenes moments, and I hope my listeners enjoy it as well!
Tori: What role does nostalgia play in your music, and how do you incorporate it into your sound?
Julia Adrian: I think nostalgia is something people feel naturally. Everyone listens to a song and it reminds them of something different based on who they are and how they grew up. I think nostalgia is infused into my songs subconsciously because of what I grew up listening to and what I gravitate toward.
Tori: You've worked with several industry professionals and organizations. How do these collaborations impact your career?
Julia Adrian: I love working with anyone I can because I love meeting people! There’s always something to learn no matter who you’re talking to. I’m so grateful for everyone I work with, and I get to meet and work with people I may not have met otherwise!
Tori: How do you stay true to yourself as an artist while also adapting to the ever-changing music industry?
Julia Adrian: When I started making music, I was very concerned with establishing my “sound.” But now I have a rule where I don’t try to fit a specific mold because that limits my creativity. Instead, I ask myself “does this song feel like me?” and if the answer is yes, then it is!
Tori: What can fans expect from your upcoming performances and music releases?
Julia Adrian: Fans can expect me to step a little more outside of the box with this new music. My goal is always to grow as an artist and push my boundaries. Sometimes it works, sometimes it teaches me something, but I’m really excited for this new era!
Tori: Looking ahead to the rest of the year, what are your goals and aspirations for your music career?
Julia Adrian: There are things I can control and things I can’t, but I’d love to get more opening gigs and play some festivals next year. I’m always working toward having my music reach more and more people, and I’d love to hear feedback from listeners about their genuine reaction/experience/how my music helped them. I also love the way visuals play a role in how the song is interpreted, and I hope to elevate my visuals as well!
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