Showcase: Juliette Jules
Published on May 28th, 2014 | Jonny Abrams
16-year-old Parisian Juliette Jules is set to release her new EP Black Crow, so we sent some questions across the Channel to find out more about this exciting young talent…
How would you describe your music, if pushed?
For my music I take folk and indie inspirations. My music is a kind of folk underground, very simple, with stronger lyrics for which I take inspiration from my life experiences and relationships.
Where are you based, and what do you use to record with?
I’m based in the center of Paris, at St Germain des Près on the left bank, and I record my songs in two locations. I recorded “Johnny Was” and ”The Game” at Fortissimo Studios in Vancouver, and the other tracks were recorded in Paris at an historic hotel called Hôtel De Bérulle – and, we call this the Grenelle St Studio, we used a portable digital equipment.
Are you signed to a label? If so, how did you come to their attention?
I am not currently signed to a Label. My manager Peter Karroll and I met in a park in Paris and since that time we have been writing songs and he has been producing the songs bringing me into the recording environment. We are putting the music out very organically going directly to people via online and hoping that they discover and enjoy it. I really like this approach because we sit down and discuss music, write songs, record and then put it out.
Is there a full album in the works? If so, what can you tell us about it? (Feel free to be as abstract as you like…)
I am constantly writing, especially lyrics, and right now there are a couple of songs that are finished that have not been recorded yet. The process takes time as we seem to write and then record about three tracks at a time. As a producer Peter is constantly pushing me to relay my personal experiences, I think he believes that my life is full of personal drama or maybe just teenager’s problems, so his goal is to help me relay my feelings in a way that people can relate to it and arrange the music so it supports my vocals and lyrics.
We are not trying to produce radio hits or fit some trendy music genre, we are just writing songs and then producing them with a simple, ‘less is more’ approach. But yes I would love to have a full length album coming out after the summer.
Where can we hear your music online?
You can hear my music and download the free EP at a few locations: my website, on SoundCloud and on my Bandcamp site. On my website you can also watch a studio video for “Johnny Was” and a video we shot for “The Game” near my neighborhood here in Paris.
Which have been your most exciting gigs and/or overall moments so far?
My performances are mostly on the streets here in Paris with my guitar. If I am somewhere and there is a piano I usually will sit down and start playing and singing. Sometimes it is at a friend’s place or a public location. Musically it is exciting for me to hear and see the finished EP assembled with photos and Artwork. This EP happened very close to my birthday so I wanted to give it to everyone as a gift to celebrate my 16th birthday.
Got any more coming up?
I am hoping to have an opportunity to do some more live performances this summer. Like any teenager in school during this time of year, we are in the middle of exams and my school is one of the most demanding in Paris so more performances will have to wait until the summer school break. We are taking everything one step at a time, now that we have the EP out we are looking to shoot some more video footage and then if an opportunity comes up to tour or do a string of shows then I will be very happy and excited.
Are there any obscure and/or up-and-coming acts that you’d like to recommend or give a shout-out to?
I don’t know how obscure or underground they are. I like Angus and Julia Stone, Radiohead, Daughter, and I saw Wu Lyf in concert two years ago and they were breathtaking. I am such a huge fan of their music, I was very emotional when I saw them live I didn’t realize I had tears streaming down my face.
Finally, if you were forced to spend the rest of your days in solitary confinement, but were allowed to bring the entire works of five different artists along to tide you over, whose would you choose?
Here is my must have list:
– Wu Lyf
– Bob Marley
– Leonard Cohen
– Albert Camus’ books
– Basquiat’s painting
Juliette Jules, thank you.
About the Author
Jonny Abrams Editor of Rocksucker and the website's founder, Jonny is passionate about the music he listens to, both good and bad, as well as interviewing his favourite musicians.
