Julia Bhatt- songwriter from Miami. chilling! Just basking in the happiness of finally releasing music I love.
Interview conducted on March 22, 2020
By Dan Locke
Genre-jumping Miami based indie artist Julia Bhatt released her debut single “Tall” last October, turned 18 in January, graduated high school in February, and recently released her fourth single (an ode to her hometown) entitled “Miami.”
What was your upbringing like? How did you discover music?
I was brought up around music for sure. I went to my first concert at like age 3, so I had an early start (thanks to my folks)
At the age of 5 you were at the original Hard Rock Café and the curator was talking you down, and you amaze him with your knowledge of Elvis, The Who and The Beatles. Do you know what some of the facts you told him were?
I don’t recall this happening at all. My mom told me this story, but I assume it was just random trivia about the Beatles I had picked up from my father and family.
How did you get your first guitar and do you still have it?
I got a pink nylon string guitar when I was around 6ish. I took a couple classes but never really got into it until several years later, when that guitar was long gone.
How did you write your first song? And do you remember its name?
I wrote a bunch of shitty songs about pizza and ice cream and other random desirable objects. No clue how they go, but I definitely remember running out of my room right before bed and showing my mom and sister IMMEDIATELY.
Do you remember your first gig?
Nope, but I used to play a lot of three-hour cover gigs at The Spillover here in town before I started releasing my own originals.
Why do you feel that after 10 to 20 mins, working on a song it not a winner?
Usually if I have to pry, that means I’m thinking too much or trying to make it sound a certain way too early in the process. If it’s fast, it comes naturally, and every one of the songs I truly like and want to release have all been 10-20 minutes to write. Obviously, I’ll come back and change things around, but the basic structure and tone should be easy.
Do you love Bossa Nova music? What popular song do you wish had a Bossa Nova tone/beat?
I don’t have any particular songs I’d like to see it in, but Bossa Nova is so flexible, I’m sure people like Post Malone or Justin Timberlake could easily throw a little Brazilian influence. The whole song doesn’t have to be entirely one idea- if you think of any Post Malone song, say Circles, for example: I didn’t think I’d hear soft strumming and an actual foundation of guitar (reminds me of America, almost). If one of these pop stars was like, “I want a Girl from Ipanema vibe” they could create something really special by combining their styles with a known and loved style of music.
Can you tell me about your latest lyric video, “I’m Cool”?
It’s very Voidz-like. It reminds me of 90s grunge rock. The song isn’t really that, but I like to think they fit well together. I really love modern avant-garde, but my music doesn’t always reflect that, so it’s nice to see multiple influences come together for one song.
How did you get hooked up with Elliot Jacobson?
We both have the same music lawyer, and one day she sent us an email saying, essentially, “y’all would be good together. Talk.” Talking went well, clearly.
You just released on Youtube a Mike Posner song. Why did you pick one of his songs?
That song slaps, first of all. Second, I don’t really have a reason for choosing him other than I’ve always loved the song and its super fun to play.
Depending on what happens regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, you are about to start a short tour. How do you feel about that, with everything going on?
Honestly, I don’t know what’s happening yet based on current global events, but if everyone does their part, we might still be able to tour around and say hello. As of now, there has been no talk of cancelling, but it is in a few months. Only time will tell.
Two months later 05/17/2020
Digital vs. vinyl?
Digital. Cheaper, easily accessible, low maintenance, etc.
How do you see yourself in the next five years?
No fucking clue. I’m probably going to go to college in the fall (not for music) so i have a plan B, continue working on music, and if things go well enough that I need to drop everything and go somewhere, I will. Until then, I’m going to try to get a normal college experience, especially because I never got the chance to go to prom or do any of those things. I think it’s a good developmental step. 🙂
Anything you would like to say in closing?
Stay safe, don’t cough on people, and good luck.
