julie: "Sometimes, lack of experience can translate to the purest form of authenticity"

From architecture to indie-rock: Los Angeles band and art collective julie are laying their foundations with debut album 'my anti-aircraft friend'. Check out our new Upset cover story.

Words: Dan Harrison.
Photos: Silken Weinberg + Jaxon Whittington.

As they gear up for the release of their debut album, 'My Anti-Aircraft Friend', creative powerhouses julie find themselves amid rehearsals and interviews, poised for probably the most pivotal moment in any artist's evolution. Alexandria, Keyan, and Dillon, the trio that make up julie, aren't only musicians: they're visual artists, designers, and conceptual thinkers who happen to express themselves through the medium of indie-rock. Their approach to music is intrinsically linked to their broader artistic pursuits, resulting in a sound and aesthetic that feels both familiar and refreshingly unique.

"We somewhat take the same approach of making art with making music, and design songs through the same lens as making something visually satisfying," they explain. That holistic approach extends beyond just the music, too. "Anything creative that has to do with the band is designed by all three of us, so it already feels like we're making art half the time anyway."

The band's journey from Orange County to Los Angeles wasn't initially about music at all. "Keyan and Alexandria actually moved for architecture school," they reveal. But the move brought other opportunities. "Being in LA allowed us access to greater opportunities that weren't necessarily available to us in OC."

With its vibrant music scene and diverse artistic community, Los Angeles has become more than just a backdrop for julie. "Everyone being in LA, getting to attend shows out here, and seeing what scenes were occurring was really inspiring," the band reflect. "We met a lot of great artists and musicians, and feel like we have a community out here." Yet the city's energy can be a lot. "We like it. Sometimes it gets overwhelming, but there is always something to do here," they admit.

Each member of julie brings their own artistic sensibilities to the table. Alexandria's interests are wide-ranging and constantly shifting. "Videos, other music, painting, sewing, writing, drawing... whatever grabs my attention in the moment; very unfocused," she shares. "Sometimes, I document my unfocused creative interests on eerilyrealistic.com, and sometimes, I avoid the internet for weeks at a time."

Dillon's background in visual art provides a different perspective. "I've been drawing and painting since I was young," he reveals. "It has been a bit sidetracked since the band has become more of a focus, but it's something I've always sort of taken a break from and come back to. It's always been the most indulgent and spontaneous outlet for me creatively."

Keyan's architectural training brings a structural sensibility to both their music and side projects. "I have always loved design, art, and spent most of my time in architecture school before dropping out for the band," he explains. "I frequently make sculptural pieces out of scrap metal and electronics in my free time."

Their debut album, 'My Anti-Aircraft Friend', has been years in the making. "We've been working on the record since December of 2022 actively, but some of the songs' original fruition dates back to 2019," they reveal. The process was far from linear. "It was a mix of recording some songs, going on tour, writing, recording another few, touring, etc."

The collaborative nature of julie's work isn't without its challenges. "The biggest battles are getting everyone on the same page creatively," they admit. Yet it's through this process that the band have found their voice. Their sound has progressed naturally rather than through conscious reinvention. "The 'leap forward' mostly comes from the three of us getting better at our instruments, songwriting, and maturing as people rather than an active conscious attempt to make a leap," the band explains.

'My Anti-Aircraft Friend' provides an eclectic collection of songs. Dillon's favourite is 'Stuck In A Car With Angels'. "Making that song felt like the perfect storm of a lot of unsuspecting ideas very naturally coming together," he enthuses. "It was an ideal moment of collaboration where the song became something no one was anticipating but in a very free-flowing way. It just felt fulfilling and an authentic representation of the feelings attached to it."

Alexandria's preferences lean towards 'Feminine Adornments' and 'I'll Cook My Own Meals', while Keyan finds himself drawn to 'Knob'. "It was one of the earliest julie songs dating back to 2019 but was maybe the last to be completed for the album," Keyan explains. "I don't necessarily identify with it stylistically anymore, but I think that's why I enjoy it in a weird way. It feels sort of fresh again, if that makes sense."

Despite the album's range, julie weren't trying to surprise their audience. "We weren't consciously attempting to do anything different besides just evolving the notion of what we were already trying to do, evolving our understanding of songwriting and getting better at capturing satisfying moments and dynamics," they clarify. "Some of the songs feel like a departure from the old, but it's coming from the same, just more elevated, place."

As they prepare to release 'My Anti-Aircraft Friend', julie find themselves navigating the expectations that come with a debut album. "Great debut albums are typically the ones where it feels like the artist is still finding their footing in music or their sound," Dillon muses. "The best ones feel like they're just free and being their most raw self in that moment with no fears, expectations, or pressures holding them back. Sometimes, lack of experience can translate to the purest form of authenticity."

Alex, however, takes a more straightforward approach: "I never really think about what makes a great 'debut' album, just what makes a great album, so I am not so sure. Most of my favourite albums are not debuts."

As julie step onto a bigger stage, they bring with them their own unique blend - a band determined to forge their own path, creating on their own terms. As they prepare to share 'My Anti-Aircraft Friend' with the world, they're letting their art do the talking.

julie's debut album 'my anti-aircraft friend' is out now. Follow Upset’s Spotify playlist here.