Julez and the Rollerz
Interview conducted Feb. 23, 2021
By Dan Locke
WITH HARD EDGE VOCALS THAT PULL THE SPINE STRAIGHT AND GUITAR WORK OF A RIFF MASTER TWICE HER YEARS, JULEZ, AKA JULIA BATTERMAN, WITH HER BAND THE ROLLERZ, ARE WELL ON THEIR WAY TO BLUES BASED MUSIC ELITE. WHILE JULEZ AND THE ROLLERZ STILL RETAIN A CHARMING OLD-SCHOOL TONE IN THEIR SONGS, THEIR OFFERING IS ALSO COMPELLING AND MODERN. THESE TALENTED YOUNG ARTISTS ARE ABLE TO PROJECT THE BLUES INTO THE NEW MILLENNIUM, CATERING TO A NEW GENERATION OF FANS.
IN PARTICULAR, JULEZ AND THE ROLLERZ EXCEL AS LIVE PERFORMERS, AS THEY CAN TRULY KICK THINGS UP A NOTCH ON A STAGE, WHERE JULEZ CAN GET TO ENGAGE WITH HER AUDIENCE. THE 25-YEAR-OLD IS A POCKET FULL OF SURPRISES AS AND SHE AND HER BAND MIX DIFFERENT GENRES, TO COME UP WITH SOME UNIQUE VENUES OF COLORS, WITHIN THEIR ARRANGEMENTS. JULEZ HAS A DOWN TO EARTH “BEAUTY AND THE BEAT” LOOK AND A VOICE TO MATCH, AND TAKES INSPIRATION FROM ARTISTS SUCH AS LIZ PHAIR, FIONA APPLE, THE CRAMPS, SHERYL CROW, SUZI QUATRO AND MORE.
Jules- You were born in a musician family. What is your upbringing?
I did! My mom and my aunt both sing and play guitar, so I looked up to them a lot growing up. I’ve been singing since I was a baby, was kind of forced to take piano lessons at around age 6 but gave up after a while, and then received my first guitar at age 8 and the rest was history. Now singing and electric guitar are my main instruments of choice.
How did you discover music?
A lot of people I talk to claim to hate the music their parents listened to while they were growing up, but honestly my parents’ music tastes influenced what I listen to today. Anyway, long story short, I listened to a lot of what my parents listened to as a kid.
How did you start to write music?
The day I received my first guitar at around age 8, my family always made fun of me because that day I wrote a song about a blue whale, but I didn’t know how to play chords so it was just me strumming the strings and singing nonsense. My poor family…. That was the first song I actually wrote anyway, but the songwriting continued after that.
Describe your music.
I’ve been struggling with this lately. There are some classic sounds in my music, but more specifically I guess it’s 70s rock mixed with modern indie rock.
How did you get your first guitar, and do you still have it?
My first guitar was this tiny acoustic off-brand thing gifted to me by my aunt when I was 8, along with my first American Girl Doll haha. My parents probably have it somewhere in their house, I’m sure!
What is your guitar of choice now? Year, make and model?
I’ve been a Fender lover since I got my first telecaster when I was a teenager. I bought my first Strat in 2016 and it’s been my guitar of choice ever since. It’s also blue and sparkly and I get a lot of compliments on it.
What makes a good songwriter?
So hard to say. I think what makes a good songwriter is the ability to push yourself out of your comfort zone.
What is the process of writing your music?
I tend to fiddle around with melodies and riffs on my guitar first and then eventually come up with some lyrics when the time is right. I usually overthink everything so it’s hard to come up with lyrics I enjoy right off the bat.
You went to school at SUNY. In which time you recorded your first demo in your dorm room. Why did you just use the equipment in studio productions which is part of the music department?
I did! SUNY Purchase. I didn’t really know what I was doing at the time, I had Garageband, and a Rhode microphone so I just recorded my demos that way. It wasn’t until after I released my demos, and met other musicians at Purchase after I graduated, that I utilized the studio resources that the music conservatory had there.
What took you from NY to LA?
Honestly my dad grew up in Los Angeles and every time we visited as a family it was inspiring how excited he’d look revisiting his old stomping grounds. You can’t go wrong with L.A. weather and new experiences. I was also drawn to the music scene in Los Angeles and I still am. I will always love NYC though.
How did your band form?
When I first moved to L.A. I met my drummer Steve through Facebook. From there, we played our first show together at Harvard & Stone in Hollywood, and it wasn’t until the end of 2019 that I met my bassist Rachel through my friend Chelsea of Late Slip. She filled in for my previous (and extremely talented) bassist Julian who started to get super busy with a new job and eventually just took over.
How did you get your band’s name?
Rachel actually came up with it! I had been going by just ‘Julez’ for the longest time and after a while, the name just wasn’t cutting it anymore. There were already so many artists with the name ‘Julez’ that I needed to spice it up a bit. That’s when Rachel suggested adding ‘and the Rollerz’ to include the current band lineup that I’ve grown so close with over the years.
What was your first performance as a band like?
My first ever performance as a band was actually at my school towards the end of my graduation. All of my friends showed up and it was very fulfilling to finally perform the songs I had been keeping to myself for years.
Do you belong to any to songwriters’ organizations like the International singer-songwriter association, SESAC, BMI or ASCAP?
I actually don’t! However, I’ve been debating joining one for a few years now. I actually went to the ASCAP awards in 2017 and briefly met Paul Williams. That was kind of rad.
What was the title of your first original song? Did you record it?
I’m not sure if there was an official title but I do remember a pop song I wrote and recorded in High school that I still remember the words to!
The first two tracks coming out from your debut recording is “In Secure City” which comes out this month and “Knocks Me on the Floor” which is released the first week of April. What can you tell me about them?
Both song melodies I had been playing around with for a few years before I finished them during quarantine in 2020. Both songs are honestly both (more or less) about moving to Los Angeles from the East Coast and constantly feeling knocked down from it, yet uplifted at the same time.
What is your favorite track on your album?
Well, there’s technically no ‘album’ per se, but the singing style in ‘In Secure City’ is different than how I usually sing, which draws me more to this tune specifically.
How do you stay healthy while performing?
I’m not sure if I do haha.
What are your feelings about streaming music?
So hard to say anymore. I’m indifferent to it because since I started releasing music in 2017, it’s all I’ve really ever known.
The symbol # is known as the number sign, hash, [ or (in North American usage) pound sign. The symbol has historically been used for a wide range of purposes Since 2007, widespread usage of the symbol to introduce metadata tags on social media platforms has led to such tags being known as “hashtags”, and from that, the symbol itself is sometimes called a hashtag.
Are people forgetting that the # is a part of music?
I think people who study music theory won’t forget what the symbol means, but otherwise the original meaning of the symbol is definitely dead to say the least.
Digital vs. vinyl?
Both! I enjoy vinyl because I like having a tangible collection of my favorite music in my apartment, however, I’ve also discovered a lot of music digitally. There are pros and cons for both.
What song from the past is in your mind right now? Moreover, what is the meaning that song means to you?
So many… but always ‘Least Complicated’ by the Indigo Girls because I used to sing it with my mom and aunt when I was a toddler. Very nostalgic song that I will always hold dear to my heart.
Both (Pfizer and BioNTech) and Moderna have conclude Phase 3 Study of the Coronavirus vaccine. With the both vaccines, it takes two shots. How many people do you think will take it and how many will forget to take the second shot?
Probably not enough, but I know my mom won’t forget! Haha
How long before the whole world will be vaccinated against the virus. You have to remember there only has to be a 70% for Herd immunity (Herd immunity occurs when a large portion of a community (the herd) becomes immune to a disease, making the spread of disease from person to person unlikely. As a result, the whole community becomes protected — not just those who are immune.)
Not sure, I’m no scientist haha but I heard most people will probably be vaccinated by the end of this summer?
If “Video Killed the Radio Star” do you think that the Covid-19 virus has killed live music? Do you feel the Covid-19 virus going to affect the music business in the future?
Temporarily yes but only ‘in person’ live music. I’ve been participating in a lot of livestream performances with my label lately and they’ve been almost as fulfilling as in person live shows. I definitely think Covid-19 has already affected the future of the music business in ways that I can’t necessarily explain.
During the lockdown I see that you did something positive with Facebook. You put out that you were looking for someone to create a cover letter for you which is a great idea. How did that turn out?
Wow, you really dug deep! Didn’t really do much, I don’t recall anybody actually helping me with that, however, I have been applying to jobs! Trying to keep as busy as possible under these circumstances.
What have you been doing with your self-quarantine?
In the beginning, there was lots of roller skating and songwriting. I started a record label with my music friends called ‘Party Mermaid Records’, recorded a bunch of new music, joined my bassist’s new project called ‘The Everythings’, and now host my own radio on Saturday nights on KPISS.FM called ‘Rock N Roll Love Letter’.
What is Rock N Roll Love Letter?
It’s an hour-long radio show where I play some not well-known singles by lesser-known glam rock/bubble gum artists of the 70s! This radio show actually gave me something to look forward to doing each week.
Have you discovered or rediscovered any new hobbies?
Not necessarily…but I should at this point!
95% of people said that they have changed the way they watch television. This includes people who don’t have television and using their computers to do streaming of programs and movies. Which is your favorite streaming channel?
Interesting…. boring answer but probably Netflix. I don’t watch much television anymore if I’m being honest!
Many artists are doing nightly concerts over either YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. In October that is going to change at least on Facebook. Facebook is cracking down on livestreamed shows that include recorded music with new terms of service, preventing artists from using the platform for “commercial or non-personal” purposes, unless they have obtained the relevant licenses.
The updated music guidelines state that users “may not use videos on our products [which include Instagram] to create a music listening experience […] This will include [Facebook] Live,” and stipulates that such content should be posted for the enjoyment of friends and family only.
How do you think this will change the landscape of Facebook?
Facebook is already dying if not dead completely already. So doesn’t bother me.
How can bands keep their fans if they cannot play live in front of the fans and sell merchandise to them at the show?
Hate to say it but social media, releasing new music, and live streams for sure!
Is pay to play still a thing? Now pay to play also means things like playlist on the internet and opening slots for a major band on tour.
I think it is honestly, and I hope it disappears forever because I owed a venue money once and it sucked.
What about Holographic concerts in our living room?
That would be dope I’m all about that.
Governments around the world are hearing the call of thousands of music creators and included protections for the music community in the omnibus bill. In addition to extended and improved unemployment benefits and small business loans for freelance creators, the package includes several bills which the Recording Academy, its members, and the larger music community advocated for. From the Save Our Stages Act, provided a lifeline to performance venues and promoters, to the CASE Act, which creates an avenue for smaller creators to defend their copyrighted works, Congress has ensured that both music creators and those who act behind the scenes to bring music to life are given the support they need during this difficult time.”
Do you think the CARE act will help the music industry?
I hope so!
In the past if a musician stopped doing music, they found a new career. For example, David Lee Roth from Van Halen became a licensed EMT in NY for 6 years, San Spitz (guitarist for Anthrax) became a master watchmaker, Dee Snider (Twister Sister) voice over work for SpongeBob SquarePants. If you can’t do music, what would you like to be doing?
I didn’t know that about David Lee Roth or Dee Snider that’s cool. Funny you ask, this is what I’ve been thinking about for months now. I guess something in graphic design, photography or radio DJing!
Spotify just deleted 750,00 songs, mostly from independent artists. Was your saved?
Did they really? Man…. luckily, we’re safe but I wouldn’t have been surprised if we were one of the unlucky ones.
Sony Music in November and Warner Music Group in December, The ByteDance-owned video app revealed on (February 8) that it has struck an “expanded” global licensing agreement with Universal Music Group. Now that TikTok is now fully licensed by all three major record companies, will you start using TikTok more?
I use tik tok now for entertainment purposes when I have nothing better to do at the end of the day, however I have been considering using Tik Tok for more music promotion! Seems to be working for a lot of artists these days.
Danny Wimmer Presents just announced their 2021 Festival Calendar: Which includes the following live shows:
DWP Partners with Inkcarceration Music & Tattoo Festival for July 23-25 Event in Mansfield, OH
Louder Than Life Set for September 23-26 With Newly Added Thursday Night Celebration in Louisville, KY
Welcome to Rockville Expands To 4 Days and Shifts from Spring to November 11-14 In Daytona Beach, FL
Aftershock Set for October 7-10 In Sacramento, CA, Almost Sold Out
Would you be willing to play these shows and what precautions would you like to have in place?
I’ll take what I can get, so of course!! Count me in.
Anything you would like to say in closing.
Thanks for speaking with me!
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