Ask Julia
Julia at Air America in New York City
with host Kyle James, Andreaus (13) Guilty
(formerly of Public Enemy) after performing
About Julia...
- Loves working out as a form of therapy as well as fitness. Has never done drugs, drunk, smoked.
- She's
had only one serious love. Greatest weakness: chocolate and
stuttering.
- Rarely speaks by phone with people for long-quite shy.
A: Please let me make this 100% clear. I have nothing against doing covers, or musicians who
perform them, it just never interested me. I listen to others' music
all the time and sing but when I am ready to perform, it's my own soul.
Q: Have you had instruction or do you consider yourself being self-taught?
A: I have had help, but consider myself mostly self taught.
Q: Did you ever pay for the press you've received? National news and all?
A: No, I never have, and never will, that just happened to me completely by accident.
Q: What was the most distinguishable moment for you as a songwriter? What moment
has touched you the most?
The night I performed Senseless, tribute to the victims of the DC Sniper,
straight into the eyes of Chief Charles Moose, head of the investigation. He thanked me,
and so did the former County Executive, Doug Duncan
(whom I have great admiration for --he later announced publicly he battles depression).
That moment was completely humbling and incredibly beautiful for me to be a part of.
And of course when I performed on Baltimore's streets for a living, there were many
moments I was able to affect the passerby. I am actually painfully shy, so performing
on the street, as tough as it was, taught me how to look someone straight in
the eye and sing to them, not just at them.
Q:
What's your ethnic background if you don't mind me asking?
A:
Half Greek and half Italian. "Julia" is Greek: "Julie" means 'youthful,
cheerful
and fairheaded'. No, I'm not Jewish, at one point I thought
about converting for a boy.
I'm actually adopted...so it's fully possible my birth father might have been.
Q:
What is onstage Julia like versus offstage Julia?
A:
Onstage: fearless. Offstage: fearful and shy.
I've never been a party girl, I'm a homebody. Many people claim
they really know me, but only
a handful -on one hand- truly do. If I haven't told you you are one of those people
then sorry, you aren't. I live an isolated, reclusive life (by choice).
A: As the Dahli Lama says "My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness." I try to be kind.
Q:
When's the first time you sang publicly?
A:
Two years old, on an airplane, at the top of my
lungs. Actually remember this event.
Later, in church, when I sang,
I got jealous that someone else got all
the attention, I wanted them to pay attention
to me. That's the moment I realized this is what I want.
Q:
Who inspires you musically?
A:
I am no one's "fan." I never "worshipped" anyone including the Beatles. I know that might
sound strange to people. But true. I am rather old school. Luther Vandross.
What a class act. I am very old school..Most of my tastes are of another time and place.
Don Henley's solo work. "The End of the Innocence" is brilliant.
He's so socially conscious and his humor...is wonderful.
I am not into the Eagles though. (I am also a little disappointed Mr. Henley is choosing to
work with Wal-Mart after he has been such an avid supporter of Mom and Pop chains.)
All Classical music!, Bach, Bon Jovi, The Byrds, Tracy Chapman, Kenny Drew,
Marvin Gaye, David Gray, Adam Duritz,
Rev. Al Green, Miles Davis, Handel, Bernard Herrmann, Russell Hitchcock, Monn,
Motown, Mozart, Shawn Mullins, Willie Nelson,
Jessye Norman, Dolly Parton, Joe Perry, Gary Puckett, Righteous Bros., Roy Orbison,
Paul Simon, Phil Spector, Sergei Rachmaninov, Seal, Temptations/Four Tops, Tina Turner,
Sarah Vaughn, The Three Mo' Tenors, Wagner, John Williams, Howlin' Wolf, etc.
A: Hands down it has to be "So, ever thought about auditioning for American Idol?"
Q: New subject-fitness. Were you always a jock?
A:
(laughs). Heck, no. In school I was a short kid,
I was really little for my age. I even hated milk!
In gym I was just plain awkward, and kids
totally made fun of me, I could never learn how
to tumble. I think a lot of people later in life
hate exercise because they were taught early
in life that it's work. Not every one wants to learn
to tumble. Fitness should be fun, too. Luckily
I learned early on that biking outdoors is great,
and it was a good foundation for me. Early on
I biked on busy streets and even highways,
and it built the confidence I have today.
A: Yes in 2009
Q: So how do you feel about your career so far?
A: It's been a bumpy ride, definite highs, more so than lows.
I am grateful for every moment.