RnB/Pop artist Julz is not only a singer-songwriter but a dancer and an actress who started her career at the age of 7. She began dancing at a local dance academy where her natural talent was noticed and she was asked by the head of the theater group to audition. Passing the audition, Julz went from beginner to competing classes in a matter of months. Later, she would go on to compete all over New York City, but it was then she realized that music was her real passion.
Julz’s musical journey started when she began to write poetry and eventually transitioned them into songs, writing her first one at age 12. Her parents moved from NYC to Pennsylvania at age 13, and it was there that Julz was offered her first main and solo role as Christine in “The Phantom of the Opera”. Performing in this role made her realize how much she loved entertaining.
At age 14, Julz auditioned and performed her first original song for her high school talent show. But it wasn’t until her senior year when she was recognized as “Most likely to be the next American Idol” that Julz thought about making music a career. She was accepted into a college dance program but due to a back injury and her grandmother’s passing, she decided to make music her main focus. She would later go on to audition for “American Idol” and “The Voice”.
Julz draws her inspiration from the power-house voices of Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Christine Agulera, Donna Summer, Madonna, Kelly Clarkson, among others. Her other inspiration is her late grandmother who she credits for her love of music and the impact she made on Julz as a young woman.
In 2014, her first EP, The Muzicmind, got her noticed as an independent artist and in 2016 she joined Federal District Records. Julz is currently working on a new album, Words of a Woman, and in addition, will be releasing several singles this year. Her latest single, “Opposites In Love” was released in January 2019.
I recently interviewed Julz via email to talk about her latest release, her forthcoming album, her grandmother, dance, opening for Fat Joe and PnB Rock, her experiences on The Voice and American Idol, and much more.
Congratulations on your latest release, the 3 song mixtape “Summer Vibes”. What is the concept/theme?
The concept for “Summer Vibes” was a mixture of fun and relaxation.
What do you want listeners to take away from “Summer Vibes”?
When a listener hears “Summer Vibes”, I want them to be able to envision themselves at their favorite place during the summer…the place where they can forget about their day to day problems and just have a great time.
Tell us more about your album that you’re currently working on, Words of a Woman.
Words of a Woman is going to have a plethora of different sounds and different topics. It will be like my journal I have used throughout life…filled with trials and tribulations but also of fun and love.
Explain your production process.
I know many different producers with many different sounds. I usually go through a list of different beats and the one that matches the mood I am in or reminds me of a situation I have been through is the one chosen.
How did your first EP, ‘The Muzicmind’ (2014), get you noticed as an indie artist?
My first EP was definitely a huge learning experience for me. But it also allowed me to get noticed by different people. People were intrigued because they had always heard me sing, but never my own original music. That’s what lured people in.
In the past two years, you have released several singles, a mixtape, an EP, and have a forthcoming album. Would you consider yourself a prolific songwriter? Why or why not?
I am not sure if I would use the term prolific. I feel that as a songwriter, I am forever evolving, learning, and improving. It is a process that I have grown to love and respect.
What is your strategy to achieve your 5-year goal to live off your music?
Learn more about the social media world and marketing. I intend to teach myself more about digital marketing and how to reach a larger number of listeners independently rather than rely on someone to do it for me. I intend to travel more and collaborate with other artists more.
In 2017 you opened for big acts Fat Joe and PnB Rock. What were those experiences like? Do you have any favorite moments or memories?
Amazing experiences. However, I have learned that I need to make music that appeals to those audiences. People are expecting certain genres of music depending on the show they attend. I feel I am very eclectic so I intend to make more music that will surprise the listener and also reach a different audience.
What draws you to the ‘powerhouse voices’ you cite (Whitney Houston, Kelly Clarkson, Mariah Carey, Christina Aguilera, Donna Summer, and Madonna, among others) as your musical influences? In what ways do they influence your music?
Their vocal ranges are amazing. Their lyrics. The generation. The look. Everything about them…. they are true artists and entertainers. They dance, sing, act, model, etc. They are triple and quadruple threats…. hence why I have decided to wear many hats.
How did growing up listening to many different genres (Rock, Pop, RnB, Hip-Hop, Classic Rock, Disco) shape who you are as an artist then and now?
I feel like my sound is very different from other people. My music is very different. I stay true to myself which is not the norm anymore.
Explain why you decided to transition your poetry into songs when you were 12 years old and write your first song. Do you still use poetry in your songwriting process?
I was sitting in my house watching The Little Mermaid and singing along with the music. My parents’ friend overheard me singing and thought it was Ariel from the movie. He was so shocked that I could sing. Prior to that, I was unaware of my singing ability. So, I opened my book filled with poems and chose one. I attempted to sing the poem. I realized it was very “wordy”. So I condensed it. I came up with a melody once the poem was condensed and easier to sing. I then realized that it was possible to turn my poems into songs.
You sang your first original song at age 14. What was the song and where did you perform it? How did you get that opportunity? Did it make you consider a music career?
I honestly never made a title for the song. I performed it at a talent show for my school. I had to audition to be able to perform. At that point, I had some stage fright as I was not used to singing in front of large crowds. The moment I realized that I wanted to pursue music as a career was when I received “Most likely to be the next American Idol” during my senior year in high school.
At age 13, you had your first solo and main role as Christine in Phantom of the Opera. What was it like to play the role at such a young age? Did this lead to more roles for you in musicals?
I was shocked that I received this role. I was the only person in the chorus who didn’t know how to read music. I guess my singing ability overpowered my inability to read music. I realized how much I loved entertaining. The experience was amazing seeing everyone’s reaction to my performance. The applause was phenomenal. I’ll never forget it.
Tell us how you started your career at age 7 “quickly climbing the ladder” at a local dance company.
Some people have to be taught how to move to a beat. I did that naturally as a child. When I initially joined the dance program, I was in beginner classes. There was a dance instructor named John who was head of the “Theater Group”… the group that competed everywhere. John noticed me during a dance class. I was on the sidelines doing what the girls in his class were doing. He approached my mother and told her he wanted me to audition. When I auditioned, I did great. I went from beginner classes to competing classes in a matter of months. It was the best time of my life.
After high school, you were accepted into Cedar Crest College’s dance program in Allentown, PA. Why didn’t you pursue a dance career?
I had a back injury that I needed to tend to. And soon after that, my grandmother (the woman responsible for me becoming a dancer) passed away. It affected me for a very long time.
Do you incorporate your dance and acting background into your performances? Why or why not?
That is currently in the works. Up until recently, I was overweight and unhealthy. After losing 100lbs I definitely feel more confident about dancing in front of a crowd.
In what ways did your grandmother, who you credit for your love of music, impact you as a young woman? Why did you decide to make singing your main goal after her death?
My grandmother always pushed me to pursue anything I was good at. Dancing was the first of many. She sought out to find a dance studio for me because I was always dancing. And when she realized I could sing, she pushed me to join the chorus and to audition for different things. When she passed away, I was negatively impacted for a while. But once I grieved and reflected, I felt like her energy was with me and envisioned her there with me…I could imagine her telling me that I shouldn’t waste my talent.
Tell us about your auditioning experience for American Idol and The Voice. What were the advantages and/or disadvantages of trying out?
American Idol was a great experience. I met a lot of new people and got to experience California. The Voice was even better. Very organized and real. Disadvantages, sooooo many people! You are like a needle in a haystack. Advantages, you get to learn about the process and appreciate all of the hard work people put into their craft. You get to listen to so many different types of artists.
What do you want your audience to feel and/or experience when they see you perform?
I want them to experience my heart…my love for music. I want them to see and hear how much I love singing and performing. I want the audience to be able to relate to my lyrics.
How do you think women can be better supported in the indie music industry?
I feel that people don’t take women as serious in the music industry unless there is someone of “more importance” attached to them. I feel that a lot of us get disrespected by men who think we are opportunists. So if those two things could change, I feel it would be beneficial to the female artists.
What advice do you have for women who are actively pursuing or thinking about a music career?
Maintain tunnel vision. Don’t listen to others who discourage you. But maintain an open mind when it comes to your craft.
What projects are you working on for 2019?
I have several singles coming out in 2019 and an album I am currently working on.
What are your tour/performance plans for 2019?
I am very determined to travel for performances. My team and I are definitely working on that.
Thank you, Julz, for the opportunity to interview you.
Follow Julz on social media:
Facebook: YourJulz
Soundcloud: Your Julz
Spotify: Spotify Artist Page.
Check out Julz music on iTunes and GooglePlay
Julz – Opposites in Love