01Profile
A Julia-Sophie Photo
Julia-Sophie
Musician — Lyon / Oxford
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
My name is Julia-Sophie. I’m half French and half English. I grew up in Lyon (France) and Oxford (UK), but with a slight detour to Zaragoza (Spain) halfway through.
Describe your style in three words?
Electronica, pop, heartfelt.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
Madonna, World Confessions tour in Paris, with David Guetta as the opening act. I had never been to a huge pop show before as I was more alternative DIY music scenes. I was blown away. I loved it. I understood, for the first time, the power of pop music and dreams. Maybe this is where I first started to sway into electronica and pop.
If you could be on the line up with any two bands in history?
It would have to be Bjork and Kraftwerk. Both are innovators and pioneers in experimental pop, robot pop, avant-garde pop; their music is beyond influential. I mean, need I say more? I’d probably faint.
Which subcultures have influenced you?
Queer indie-electronica on the producing side with more classic poetic music when it comes to the songwriting structural and lyrical side of things. Anything that comes out on WARP records and Ninja Tunes, Krautrock, American Minimalism, Chicago House, French Chanson, Underground Dance.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Steve Reich, the master of minimalism. Always.
Of all the venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
In my old rock band I supported Courtney Love at Terminal 5 in New York. I can still smell the sweat that poured out into the room that night and see people all pressed up against the walls, hanging from the balcony, all in the back of my mind's eye. It was crazy. The room was electric. It was the same night that Debbie Harry tapped me on the shoulder and invited my band to tour with Blondie. I could never forget this night.
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
Richard H Kirk. Play 'Yashar' by Cabaret Voltaire loud and the whole building will start to shake. Avant-garde electronic pop music. His music reminds me to stay on the edge and not get too comfortable. I especially love all the industrial sounds.
02Playlist
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
'Central Reservation' by Beth Orton. I think this is the first record I ever heard that really made me want to become a musician or be an artist. I had never really heard indie-female-folktronica before I heard Beth. She was a revelation. Up until then, I had grown up listening to my dad’s blues records, Ray Charles, Robert Johnson, B.B.King and my mother’s French chansons Françaises, Jaques Brel, Georges Brassens and Barbara.
A song that defines the teenage you?
'Dancing Barefoot' by Patti Smith. The moment I discovered Patti Smith, all I wanted to do was move to New York, write poetry, read Ginsberg and smoke Gauloise. I still do.
One record you would keep forever?
'Blackstar' by David Bowie. This record melts my heart and reminds me how we must treasure life. How mortal we are.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
“I have lost a hero, I have lost a friend,
But for you, darling, I’d do it all again”
From 'New York' by St. Vincent. So romantic. I get lost in my thoughts so often that I have to remind myself what is at the centre of everything. Love. Our hearts. Always beating.
The song that would get you straight on the dance floor?
'Sage Comme Une Image' by Lio. I’ve got a soft spot for a little French escape. A French kiss. Bisous.
A song you wished you had written?
'Because The Night' by Bruce Springsteen & Patti Smith. This song has everything. It’s a love song that expresses deep sexual excitement with strength from a women’s perspective. It’s a masterpiece and I love it.
Best song to turn up loud?
'Maybe In The Summer' by SASSY 009.
Best song to bring people together?
'I Want To Hold Your Hand' by The Beatles.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
'I Missed Your Party' by Camera Obscura. Such a gem of a song. People tend to associate me with listening to electronic music, I guess. But for this, I’ll drink that cool-aid.
Best song to end an all-nighter on?
'Lights On' by FKA Twigs. Epic. Cutting edge. Contorts my mind.
Any new music you are listening to right now?
I’m currently listening to Sofia Kourtesis’s EP 'Frésia Magdalena' and Ela Minus’s album 'Act of Rebellion'. Both are female electronic artists and producers who are inspiring me on so many levels and who I highly recommend tuning into.
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
My name is Julia-Sophie. I’m half French and half English. I grew up in Lyon (France) and Oxford (UK), but with a slight detour to Zaragoza (Spain) halfway through.
Describe your style in three words?
Electronica, pop, heartfelt.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
Madonna, World Confessions tour in Paris, with David Guetta as the opening act. I had never been to a huge pop show before as I was more alternative DIY music scenes. I was blown away. I loved it. I understood, for the first time, the power of pop music and dreams. Maybe this is where I first started to sway into electronica and pop.
If you could be on the line up with any two bands in history?
It would have to be Bjork and Kraftwerk. Both are innovators and pioneers in experimental pop, robot pop, avant-garde pop; their music is beyond influential. I mean, need I say more? I’d probably faint.
Which subcultures have influenced you?
Queer indie-electronica on the producing side with more classic poetic music when it comes to the songwriting structural and lyrical side of things. Anything that comes out on WARP records and Ninja Tunes, Krautrock, American Minimalism, Chicago House, French Chanson, Underground Dance.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Steve Reich, the master of minimalism. Always.
Of all the venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
In my old rock band I supported Courtney Love at Terminal 5 in New York. I can still smell the sweat that poured out into the room that night and see people all pressed up against the walls, hanging from the balcony, all in the back of my mind's eye. It was crazy. The room was electric. It was the same night that Debbie Harry tapped me on the shoulder and invited my band to tour with Blondie. I could never forget this night.
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
Richard H Kirk. Play 'Yashar' by Cabaret Voltaire loud and the whole building will start to shake. Avant-garde electronic pop music. His music reminds me to stay on the edge and not get too comfortable. I especially love all the industrial sounds.
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
'Central Reservation' by Beth Orton. I think this is the first record I ever heard that really made me want to become a musician or be an artist. I had never really heard indie-female-folktronica before I heard Beth. She was a revelation. Up until then, I had grown up listening to my dad’s blues records, Ray Charles, Robert Johnson, B.B.King and my mother’s French chansons Françaises, Jaques Brel, Georges Brassens and Barbara.
A song that defines the teenage you?
'Dancing Barefoot' by Patti Smith. The moment I discovered Patti Smith, all I wanted to do was move to New York, write poetry, read Ginsberg and smoke Gauloise. I still do.
One record you would keep forever?
'Blackstar' by David Bowie. This record melts my heart and reminds me how we must treasure life. How mortal we are.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
“I have lost a hero, I have lost a friend,
But for you, darling, I’d do it all again”
From 'New York' by St. Vincent. So romantic. I get lost in my thoughts so often that I have to remind myself what is at the centre of everything. Love. Our hearts. Always beating.
The song that would get you straight on the dance floor?
'Sage Comme Une Image' by Lio. I’ve got a soft spot for a little French escape. A French kiss. Bisous.
A song you wished you had written?
'Because The Night' by Bruce Springsteen & Patti Smith. This song has everything. It’s a love song that expresses deep sexual excitement with strength from a women’s perspective. It’s a masterpiece and I love it.
Best song to turn up loud?
'Maybe In The Summer' by SASSY 009.
Best song to bring people together?
'I Want To Hold Your Hand' by The Beatles.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
'I Missed Your Party' by Camera Obscura. Such a gem of a song. People tend to associate me with listening to electronic music, I guess. But for this, I’ll drink that cool-aid.
Best song to end an all-nighter on?
'Lights On' by FKA Twigs. Epic. Cutting edge. Contorts my mind.
Any new music you are listening to right now?
I’m currently listening to Sofia Kourtesis’s EP 'Frésia Magdalena' and Ela Minus’s album 'Act of Rebellion'. Both are female electronic artists and producers who are inspiring me on so many levels and who I highly recommend tuning into.