Hello Julia……. welcome to the DeClunk Universe.
Please describe your surroundings so that we can all get cosy.
At my local coffee shop. Marvin Gaye plays softly in the background.
When did you first realise that you might have a gift for music and that it could be a career choice? Did you get lots of encouragement from friends and family?
My parents are (now retired) professional classical musicians, so I grew up playing various instruments – violin, trumpet, clarinet, piano, choir, classical guitar. I never stuck with any instrument for too long and had a different career path. I went to school for anthropology, and during that time I picked up the electric guitar and got pretty good at it over a few years. At around 25 years old, after I’d moved to Europe, something shifted and I became acutely aware that I had to do music on a more serious level. It’s still not my full-time job – I support myself in other ways, but it’s truly the biggest driving force in my life and I can’t imagine not doing it. It becomes more important to me as time goes on.
I’ve been fortunate to have encouraging parents who support my creative pursuits.
What was the first song that you wrote? What was it called and what was it about?
It was called “Landings”, and it channeled the feeling I miss from my childhood: arriving in San Francisco in the ‘90s for the summers to stay with my dad. Foggy nights with plenty of mystery, a rich arts scene and a lightly pulsing city vibe. I always felt like I was arriving somewhere familiar but exciting.
Your EP, Blur Divine, is out now. We love it. Why the title Blur Divine?
Thanks so much. Blur Divine is about the blissful yet disorienting feelings of falling into chaotic love—the feelings of not being able to escape oneself, or losing oneself, in someone else. I wanted to explore all the feelings that come with that – from naive childhood innocence in “Harper’s Song”, all the way to jaded hopelessness in “Hangin’ on a Dream”.
Is this your first release on vinyl? That must be a pretty cool feeling.
It is! I wasn’t necessarily expecting to put out this first solo EP on vinyl, but it came together as a joint effort with A La Carte Records. I’m stoked to have connected with them to make it happen. It feels great.
The videos are also creative. Is this another part of your creative self? Is it you with the ideas?
You got it! Visuals are very important to me, and I consider that element an extension of the creative worlds I want to build through music. I always come in with a general vision and am particular about the people I work with to help bring this to life. One person who has been instrumental in helping me craft this world is director and photographer David Fitt. I’ve worked with him on two videos and many photo shoots, and I’m so proud of what we’ve achieved together. He’s ridiculously talented and has a keen understanding of crafting a visual world and pulling things together with whatever resources are available.
What were your early inspirations to make music? There seems to be a mixture of various elements.
My earliest inspiration was Holst – The Planets, specifically Mars, The Bringer of War. I usually cite this because it was a blueprint for how I perceive music – the dynamics, the grandeur, the enveloping atmosphere. I always listened LOUD.
Since then, I’ve gone through many musical phases including heavy metal, hip-hop, goth, rock, electronic…I think everything has balanced out to where I am now. There’s a little bit of everything in what I make, and I think that’ll be even more apparent going forward.
What other plans for 2024? A tour? A holiday in the sun?
There will be a show or two announced for later this year! Otherwise, it’s working on a full-length. Next year I plan to tour.
Holidays have been essential in this non-existent rainy Paris summer, so I’ve been trying to escape on long weekends to sunnier parts like Spain and South of France.
Once a year my friend and I spend a couple of nights out on the riverbank, fishing. We live off pot noodles, crisps and beer. You’re invited, what would you bring for food and drink?
My dad, best friend and I used to camp in the mountains in Idaho and make something called Pizza Mountain Pies. Pan-fried bread over the fire, tomato sauce, cheese, pepperoni – slapped together like a sandwich and grilled again. That, and smores. And Corona (with lime – essential).
How do you go about writing a song? Keith Richards reckons he went to sleep one night and can’t remember getting the riff down on tape to Satisfaction. It was just there when he awoke! You ever had such luck?!
I wish! Sometimes I hear full, brand-new songs in my dreams, but I wake up and can’t remember them. There have been some total bangers just pulled from of my subconscious, soundtracking dream sequences. Those are lost forever though. I now have to resort to good old-fashioned songwriting. I usually start with a beat of some kind, and I often need to get into a vibe or headspace–almost a physical space–before the melody and lyrics come. Inspiration almost always comes at night, and sometimes happens after visiting a new city. I think Mexico City is my most recent inspiration.
If we were to come to your neck of the woods for a weekend, where would you take us for good times? You are the Entertainments Committee!
Bar Pili Pili in the 11th Arrondissement, of course. Especially great if you’re a Twin Peaks fan.
There have been some notorious riders demanded by rock n rollers. For example, Marylin Manson requested gummy bears and a bald headed, toothless hooker. Van Halen demanded M & Ms with all the brown ones taken out. What would be on yours if money was no object?
I’ll want a barista pulling me the finest single-origin espresso shots/oat milk cortados, and a chef specialized in super fresh ceviche with hot peppers + fresh green juice. Very specific but this is the ideal pre-show fuel. Post-show, I’d want reservations for wherever the best margarita joint is in town. Just to balance out all that health, I guess.
Any artist/bands that you recommend we have a listen to?
I’m not great with keeping up with all new music, but I can definitely tell you what’s in my heavy rotation!
Caroline Polachek (amazingly well-produced avant-pop)
Patriarchy (dark, danceable pop)
Follakzoid (techno with psych/trance elements)
Freeze Corleone (French drill rap…not for everyone, but I’d be lying if I didn’t say it wasn’t a huge part of my listening experience right now)
Turnstile (Glow On is so wonderful)
Florence Sinclair (dark hip-hop with goth atmosphere, I can’t explain, just listen)
Unknown T (Blood Diamond, the newest record – all killer from the UK)
Thank you for taking the time, Julia. Looking forward to getting our mitts on a swirly vinyl and hopefully seeing you perform soon.
Thank YOU! Hope our paths cross in the near future, and I sincerely appreciate your support for underground artists.
you can get yourself a copy of Blur Divine here
https://juliagaeta.bandcamp.com/album/blur-divine
DeClunk 