Interview With Avant-Garde Electronic Pop Artist Julia-Sophie
We recently caught up with Julia-Sophie to talk about her upcoming album, the challenges she has faced in staying true to herself as an artist, insights into her creative process, her dream of collaborating with Caribou, the daunting landscape of music promotion, and more.
Photo credit Siobhan Cox
Julia-Sophie is an acclaimed Anglo-French avant-garde electronic pop artist whose deeply emotive and sonically rich music has garnered praise from influential platforms such as The Quietus, Bandcamp Daily, and BBC 6 Music.
Known for her haunting and pulsing soundscapes, Julia-Sophie has carved out a unique space in the electronic music scene with her enchanting synth textures and intricate rhythms.
Her upcoming debut solo album, 'forgive too slow,' reflects a journey marked by experiences in rock bands like Little Fish, dream pop collectives like Candy Says, and profound personal growth. This album is an exploration of relationships, self-destruction, love, and loss, offering listeners an authentic look into her emotional world.
Chris, Musicngear: "Numb" is the lead single from your debut solo album 'forgive too slow.' Can you delve into the inspiration and meaning behind this track?
"Numb" captures my felt state of desperation and despair. It's about loving someone deeply but feeling trapped because I couldn’t reach them.
I tried to express the emotional struggle as authentically as I could, which meant exposing my vulnerabilities and feelings of intense longing, pain, and frustration, and how I was unable to find a way out of the darkness I was feeling.
Your musical journey has included experiences with major labels, touring with renowned artists, and now a solo career. What have been some of the biggest challenges you've faced as an artist, and what advice would you give to others facing similar obstacles?
One of the biggest challenges I've faced as an artist has been staying true to myself. In the past, I've been quite impulsive, throwing myself into things without fully thinking them through. It’s taken me years to truly represent myself and not just fall into whatever route opened up to me at the time.
My advice to others going into the industry is to have support from people you trust who have your best interests at heart and take the time to really understand who you are and what you want. Trust yourself and don't be afraid to say no if something doesn’t align with your values or vision. It's crucial to remain authentic and not lose yourself in the process.
You've mentioned that 'forgive too slow' is about relationships and the struggle to break free from past patterns. How do you approach songwriting when dealing with such deeply personal themes?
I don't overthink things when I write; I write from my gut and heart. Making this album has been incredibly cathartic, helping me deal with and process all kinds of emotions, life’s highs and lows.
I've never been great at talking about how I feel, but with music, when I express myself, I feel free. It allows me to confront and release emotions I struggle to express otherwise, making the whole process deeply therapeutic and healing.
Given your background in different bands and genres, how did your experiences with Little Fish and Candy Says influence your current sound and approach to music?
I believe that if I had known more about music and had been better supported in the industry, I would have been making the music I am creating now, a long time ago. My other experiences were about me making the most of what I had; I was just surviving, not being choiceful.
I was fortunate to meet B. He really helped me to develop as an artist. I wish it hadn't taken me so long to get here really, but that has been my journey, and I have to accept that.
Trust yourself and don't be afraid to say no if something doesn’t align with your values or vision. It's crucial to remain authentic and not lose yourself in the process
Your music has been praised for its captivating synth textures and intricate rhythms. What are some of the key pieces of gear and equipment that you rely on to achieve your signature sound?
Oh. Thank you. I love creating layers of synth textures and intricate rhythms. I use a blend of vintage and modern gear. Among the key pieces are the Roland Juno-60. I love its lush analog tones, and the Moog Subsequent 37, which I use to add depth and warmth to the mix.
My go-to drum machines are the TR-808 and LinnDrum, as they have a unique nostalgic sonic character that makes me smile and feel good when I am in the studio.
The expectation for musicians to be social media-savvy I find overwhelming and I don’t like the pressure it imposes on musicians to become digital marketing experts
Promoting music has changed drastically with the rise of digital platforms. How do you approach promoting your music in today's landscape, and what strategies have you found most effective?
I find the current landscape of music promotion daunting. While I make an effort to engage with platforms like Instagram, I draw the line at TikTok as I feel uncomfortable with its format and demands. The expectation for musicians to be social media-savvy I find overwhelming and I don’t like the pressure it imposes on musicians to become digital marketing experts.
I really don’t have any effective strategies. I think I’m pretty bad at it. Fortunately, for this record, a press person has been hired to handle the press aspects of releasing my record and they know what they are doing, unlike me. Their expertise allows me to focus on creating music rather than navigating the complexities of online promotion. They asked me to go back on X (Twitter) the other day and admittedly I felt totally out of my depth.
Are there any artists you would love to collaborate with in the future, and what draws you to their work?
I've always loved Caribou's music; it was the first electronic music I heard that truly resonated with me. His tracks have often been a source of inspiration and collaborating with him would be a dream come true.
I'd love to lend my vocals to one of his tracks, adding another layer of depth and emotion to his already captivating soundscapes.
I want "forgive too slow" to serve as a reminder that healing is possible and that there's strength in embracing our imperfections and embracing forgiveness
AI-generated music is becoming increasingly prevalent. How do you think AI will impact the future of music, and what are your thoughts on using AI in your own creative process?
AI-generated music undeniably presents an intriguing prospect for the future of music. As AI technology continues to advance, it's likely to play an increasingly significant role in various aspects of music production, composition, and performance and has the potential to revolutionise how music is created, offering new tools and possibilities for artists to explore.
In my own creative process, I'm open to experimenting with AI technology as a complement to traditional methods of music production. However, I believe it's essential to approach AI with caution and to maintain a balance between human creativity and technological innovation. Ultimately, the most compelling music often arises from the synergy between human intuition, emotion, and imagination, and I believe that AI should be seen as a tool to augment and enhance our creative abilities rather than replace them entirely.
With 'forgive too slow' set to release soon, what message or feeling do you hope listeners take away from the album?
Through my own experiences and emotions laid bare in the album, my hope is that listeners will connect with the raw honesty and vulnerability in the music. I want them to feel seen and understood, and know that they're not alone in their struggles.
Ultimately, I want "forgive too slow" to serve as a reminder that healing is possible and that there's strength in embracing our imperfections and embracing forgiveness, both for others and for ourselves.
Stay tuned for Julia Sophie's upcoming single "telephone” out on June 25th and “wishful thinking” on July 22nd, paving the way for her debut album 'forgive too slow' on July 26th.
Connect with Julia Sophie
Facebook / X / Instagram / YouTube / Spotify / Bandcamp
About Chris Roditis
Chris Roditis has been an active musician since 1995 in various bands and projects across a variety of genres ranging from acoustic, electronic to nu metal, british rock and trip hop. He has extensive experience as a mixing engineer and producer and has built recording studios for most of the projects he has been involved with. His passion for music steered his entrepreneurial skills into founding MusicNGear in 2012.
Contact Chris Roditis at chrisroditis@kinkl.com
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