Ask Julia
Julia at Air America in New York City
with host Kyle James, Andreaus (13) Guilty
(formerly of Public Enemy) after her live
radio performance
Some Quick (Sort of) Facts about Julia
- Hates wearing makeup and loves wearing Under Armour clothes (yeah Baltimore!)
- Loves her Orioles, and sits in the front row to cheer them on, no matter how badly they suck
- Has never gotten drunk in her life, and has never done drugs
- Almost died two years ago while riding her bike--when the brakes failed mysteriously & suddenly
- Jokes that she'd make a good Mormon girl: she's old-fashioned, doesn't do drugs
- or drink, has only had one real lover, but, alas-she drinks caffeine, a Mormon no-no
- She doesn't think she's pretty, although many people tell her she is
- She hates the sound of her singing voice, although people have said it's beautiful
- Rarely speaks by phone with people for long-if she has with you-count yourself rare and lucky
A: I have nothing against doing covers, it just never interested me. The moment
I began picking up a guitar was the moment I began writing my own music.
Q: Have you had instruction or do you consider yourself being self-taught?
A: I have had help along the way, but really mostly self taught. The night I started
learning guitar, it was with a book of chords. I mastered all the basic major and
minor chords by myself, just through a book. "D" major was my favorite. I
played that chord over and over!
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.
And besides, I can't afford my own publicist!
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 I can conquer the world. I am so incredibly confident. Offstage I am quite shy.
I've never been a party girl, friends go out to get wasted, I'd rather be home and strum
the guitar or watch a good old movie. Many people claim they really know me, but only
a handful (on one hand!) truly do.
A: "No Country for Old Men." What a flawless, brilliant old-school shoot 'em up
horror/humour/psychologically riveting piece of American life. Javier Bardem is
the man.
Q: One of the saddest days of your life?
A: Finding my birthmother, having a third party talk with her on the phone, only
to find out after years of searching (illegally because I was a minor) she wants
nothing to do with me and has no desire to meet me and gave no reason why.
I mention this not for your pity, but just to build awareness for all those adoptees who are
searching. I am all for adoptees' rights in open adoptions and un-sealing records,
but they should be prepared for the outcome. I know I wasn't.
Q:
So what are your core beliefs?
A:
Not into organized religion. I am pro-choice, gay friendly and into animal rights
as well, especially as a vegetarian. I don't call myself a Democrat, I am more of a
Independent. I do try to treat others the way I want to be treated.
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 God 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 rather old school. I like older artists before my time.
Luther Vandross. He will always be my Elvis. What a class act.
The day I heard that he had passed, I lost a piece of my heart. I drove all the way to
NYC and stood in line for hours to pay my respects. I will never forget
walking into that room,
seeing the video of him singing, completely muted, and viewing his shimmering stage costumes,
squeezing Ms. La Belle's hand as others rushed to talk to her. By the time I was
ready to exit, I was bawling my eyes out. In a sea of hundreds of beautiful African American
women, I was the only white girl there. They laughed and dubbed me a sistah just like them.
And we sang Mr. Vandross' songs together. As I exited, I blasted his music as loud
as I could as I drove the streets of NYC. A big sign "Goodbye Luther"
was taped to the back of my car. RIP Luther. I love you!
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.)
Adam Duritz ('Hard Candy" and "August and Everything After")
not his recent work so much. Rob Thomas (older days with Matchbox 20) plus:
Paul Simon, Motown, (Temptations), Sarah Vaughn, Miles Davis, Joe Perry,
Tracy Chapman, Willie Nelson, older Bon Jovi, David Gray, Tina Turner,
Rev. Al Green, Phil Spector's recordings, The Byrds, Shawn Mullins,
Russell Hitchcock's vocals, Howlin' Wolf, Bach, Rachmaninov, (love him!)
Mozart, Jessye Norman's vocals, Marvin Gaye, Seal, (nice guy!),
some of Blue October (songwriting) and Maroon 5 (but not all).
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,
people nicknamed me "Munch" for "Munchkin".
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: I have been talking to a few photographers who'd like to do some shoots
over this Spring and Summer. If you're interested please send me an email.
Please note: I never do anything semi-nude, nude or even lingerie shots.
I'm old-fashioned. I prefer keeping my clothes on, and creating some mystery!
And yes...everything you do see is for real--my curves are all real, I've paid
for nothing added on or subtracted! :-)
Q: So do you have a boyfriend?
A: I did, and it was rather serious, he was my first real long term
relationship but it didn't work out. I am single by default.
A: It's been a bumpy ride, definite highs, more so than lows.
I am grateful for every moment.