More about: Julia Kahn

Julia Kahn has certainly found her niche in the music scene. Born in Indianapolis and now based in Nashville, Julia is an independent artist and self-taught producer whose spiritually-influenced lyrics immersed with her meditative electronic ambience has allowed her to experiment with what inspires her most. 

A collection of stories of self-love and individual transformation, her debut EP Heroine’s Journey provides listeners with a modern feminine pilgrimage of growth narrative. It captures the importance of personal evolution or simply exists as a safe-space for those to lean on that need it most, and is a convincing first release for the indie-pop, electronic singer. 

Following Heroine’s Journey back in November last year, Kahn is now visiting the UK for the first time in years for a series of intimate radio performances and acoustic sessions before playing a handful of British festivals later in the year. Leading up to her visit across the pond, last week I spoke to Julia to ask her all about her debut EP, where her love for spirituality came from, whilst discussing her exciting long-awaited return to the UK. 

GW: I read that you used to be part of a blues/soul band at just fourteen years old, so where did your love for music come from at such a young age? 

JK: I’ve been singing as long as I can remember! My roots were definitely in soul music – that’s where I learnt how to sing – and I was in a band with three of my friends at school which was really fun so that’s where the journey started. My sound evolved as I dipped into my writing and explored different genres which made me realise there was a lot more I wanted to say and go in a slightly different direction whenI became a solo artist. 

Your sound has become heavily influenced by electronic music too! Where do you get the inspiration for the fusion of genres across your discography? 

I’ve always been so inspired by such a range of genres… it could literally change every day! I was influenced by Frank Ocean a lot, but also Stevie Nicks, Lana Del Rey, Maggie Rogers, James Blake, and then the electronic and dance festival scene too because of Flume and ODESZA so that’s probably why you can hear a lot of layers to my music because of all those different genres. 

Where did your interest into spirituality come from and how did it become such a core component of your songwriting? 

Subconsciously I’ve been drawn to writing about those kinds of things to gain a more introspective take on my music, especially with mental health, wellness and spirituality because it was something I always felt connected to. I studied psychology at school because I was passionate about mental health, but that’s definitely something which is more of a subconscious entrance into my songwriting. I wanted my songs to be a companion to anyone on their own journey towards finding self-love or that inner transformation. Over time I’ve realised how much the psychology and spirituality has become so intertwined but that’s always been something that has been there for sure.

I’ve also noticed how transparent you are online, and I was curious to know how much you value social media when it comes down to prioritising the important reflection and self-caring methods you’ve touched upon? 

I view social media as this double-edged sword where on one side it’s a blessing and such a positive opportunity for connection and personal expression, but on the flip side it can be tricky because there’s so much comparison and overstimulation. But I do really enjoy it when I can express myself on social media and see how other people respond to it. Showing your vulnerabilities really can breed connection so I do think social media has been a wonderful tool to build a small community. Linking back to music, whenever you’re feeling something, there’s always gonna be a song for it which helps you to feel like you’re not alone because someone else has always felt this too so you know you’ll be okay - it’s like a therapy in itself! 

"Heroine’s Journey is a feminine take on the classic hero’s story we might hear in movies and books; however it’s more inward..."

I really admire how much you do for other people’s mental health too, from offering anyone who may need a chat to reach out to you via Instagram, to the Mental Health Fund at the top of your Spotify page. Your debut EP Heroine’s Journey encapsulates that by emphasising the importance of taking time for yourself - what made you want to focus on that?

I’ve always been big on meditation and anything like that and obviously a huge advocate for therapy, but honestly writing has been one of the best tools! Both music-based and general freeform writing every morning I’ll write pages and pages, so that has been a major healing tool for me and my mental state. The actual term heroine’s journey is a feminine take on the classic hero’s story we might hear in movies and books; however it’s more inward, soulful and all about transforming the dark to light. That whole theme just struck a chord with me! 

I’m always really intrigued to hear how artists go about their songwriting! I read that you had written a few songs by your bedroom window or on late night drives around Nashville or Indiana – is that your usual songwriting process? 

It can really change from song to song! Sometimes I might start with the production elements and then become inspired to write some lyrics based on that, other times I’ll start with a few lyrics and will always come back to it later and build it up, but many of my best lyrics have come to me when I’m driving. I have definitely gotten a lot of my ideas in my car for some reason, especially because of how overstimulating everything has become lately, driving just gives me that feeling of peace.

My favourite lyrics I’ve written would be from ‘Life Lessons in the Parking Lot’ just because the song’s message really portrays what I’m trying to say and that one flowed so quickly and beautifully. I’d spend a lot of time writing in my car because of the few moments of peace it brings, and the parking lot theme exists because it feels like a central location for where a lot of my ideas have taken place so it just felt like a good setting to frame the EP around because it starts broken-hearted in a parking lot and ends in the same parking lot, but with this new light and that circular setting felt right. 

And of course, at the time of this interview you’re about to visit the UK for a series of live radio and acoustic sessions which must be incredibly exciting for you! How much are you looking forward to it? 

I’m so excited! I’ve been wanting to come back to the UK for so long so I’m really pumped! We’re going all over the place from London up to Scotland, Wales and many in-between so we’re kind of doing a big loop. I’ve been so influenced by the UK music scene my whole life and even the people there too like a lot of my listeners are UK-based so I can’t wait to go over there and connect with them. It’s been years since I’ve been… I was probably around fourteen or fifteen, so it’s been a long time coming. It’s gonna be mostly acoustic sessions with the guitar this time, but they’ll be other times when I’ll perform with my band where I’ll also be doing a lot of electronic stuff where I’ll alter my voice and play it live over my singing and the instruments at the same time so it should be a really fun blend!

Grab your copy of the Gigwise print magazine here.

More about: Julia Kahn