Natasha Jane Julian: "My Wicked Game"
Taking inspiration from confessional art-rock, trip-hop, and film soundtracks, California native & International touring artist Natasha Jane Julian creates moody yet melodic Pop songs . Think of Kate Bush meets Sia .
The sun-baked dreaminess of the Golden State sound is a sign the artist is right back in her home state of California after spending 3 years living in Europe, but the multifaceted singer and her international travelogue has left its traces on her mixes.
We had the pleasure of checking in with Natasha Jane and she was kind enough to answer of few interview questions.
Your photos are gorgeous! Tell us about your personal style!
Thank you! Well, My style is like my music, it doesn’t really fit into one category but rather a mix of rock, classic, girl next door, and eclectic. I feel a part of all of them so depending on the day and my mood that’s what it is. I’m like a chameleon.
Who are your greatest musical influences and have they changed over the years?
Some of my greatest influences growing up were Madonna, Mariah Carey & Whitney Houston. I loved the Divas. Then I went through a Sara Bareilles and Cristina Perri phase and loved the storytelling side to their music and still do. They taught me a lot about artistry. And, the last few years I have been crazy over Lana Del Rey because I feel a deep connection to the sultry dark side of her music, that just feels so right. And mixed in there over the years is a little Carol King, Linda Ronstadt, James Taylor, The Beatles, and The Carpenters because that is what was always playing in my house growing up. It’s changed drastically over the years as I was always drawn to pop music, so that was my first connection. But at the same time, I grew up in the mountains where Folk, Country, and older music from the ’70s was popular so it was automatically ingrained in me. When I first started writing, it felt more natural writing in the style of say, Carol King and James Taylor than the pop that’s out there now. So I was really pulled in different directions and it took me a long time to find who I really was. But you can hear a little older music in my music and my style now which makes me, me! I sort of a mix of all these genres!
We love MY WICKED GAME! Please tell us more about your writing process for this single!
Thank you:-) I wrote My Wicked Game while I was living in France. It’s one of those songs that rolled out right away, music and lyrics and the demo were pretty much finished right away. It was different in the sense that it wasn’t about the real me, but rather a character. I am normally kind no matter what, but I was going through some low points and thought what if I didn’t play so nice, what if I was like you? Meaning the listener that thinks they can get away with mistreating people. So it was fun to become someone else.
Do you have a special place where you like to create and write new music?
I usually like to stir up ideas alone, that’s where I feel the safest. I have a small music room in my house with a keyboard and computer and I play around there until ideas spark. Then I like to collaborate and build on my ideas after gold it more precisely.
What have been some of your greatest experiences as an artist?
I loved living in France because I got to travel a lot and play with musicians from all over Europe. I flew in to practice in Liverpool where I had a backup band about once a month and I had such a great time. We did a few shows in England and Scotland. I also played a part in a Rock opera in Finland and that was amazing! I met so many cool people that I am friends with today. I also shot 2 amazing Music Videos in London with one of my favorite directors, Zachary Denman! My video Mechanical Heart! We shot this one on foot in the streets of London, down by the tube, in the park, ALL OVER. We walked the whole day and I did my changes in the restrooms of restaurants etc, it was a crazy but amazing day!!
What can we expect from you in 2021?
I am hoping for another album project! Either an EP or one day a full-length album is a goal of mine. I have so many songs already budding that I’m excited about….
Have a listen and connect with Natasha Jane Julian on social media:
https://www.facebook.com/NatashaJaneJulian/
