A new EP release from Julia Culbert brings together a wonderful combination of edgy pop tonality and a character that displays honesty in the lyrics, so you end up getting attached to that character very quickly as hooks and courses get stuck in your head for days after the songs have ended.
A lot of the songs on the Still Here EP come through with a cinematic backbone and a vast undertone especially due to the very in-depth and smart production style these tracks have because it brings together elements of old school and new school and by doing so gives you something that you can hold on to.
There are more than a few layers that you can peel back throughout this record, and not only do you hear that honesty in the songs, but you also have a feeling that maybe this was cathartic for the artist because she's finally getting things off of her chest and the only way she knew how which was through her music.
When you hear songs like this you end up being able to relate to them very quickly and very deeply even sometimes and this is the kind of thing that blows my mind because we all have certain struggles and emotions that we feel of course because we're human, but we can't all articulate them the way that artists like Julia do so that we can speak them aloud.
Those are the kinds of things that leave me in awe of artists like this.
What are the things I loved about this record were the way that her vocals flow and mend with the music itself because at times the music can be edgy and sharp, big and hard-hitting, and in between those segments you have this ambient feel, and her vocals work so well flowing over both of those elements that it ties everything together naturally.
This EP also includes several remixes of songs that are also really cool and very well done because there's a lot of attention to detail in these remixes as well and they never really lose the sort of persona that the originals carry which is very important when remixing something.
All in all, this EP has a powerful character, and you know all these songs came from someplace real.
This makes everything so much more authentic and genuine that when it's over you feel like you know this person a little bit better and for an artist to be able to deliver that so flawlessly with such a vibrant and youthful pop tonality like that is outstanding.
A lot of this record makes you want to go see her live because if the energy captured on the record is like this then seeing her live must be outstanding and you know that the presence that you hear on the record even bigger in person somehow.
These songs were incredibly well woven, brilliantly thought out, paste, cinematic, and beautifully crafted and performed.
With the release of this EP, we wanted to have a sit-down with Julia to find out where all these songs actually came from and what might be coming up next for the artist.
Here's what happened.
Buzz Slayers: Okay, let's start with Still Here! This release was emotionally driven and very personal! How did this come about?
I’ve been working on the music for Still Here since 2022, drawing inspiration from personal hardships and emotions that I’m still struggling to process. Initially, I was only planning to record one single in 2023, but recording and releasing my own original music was such a cathartic experience, I quickly went back to the drawing board and kept creating. Before I knew it, we had an album ready to go within six months of my very first single release.
Buzz Slayers: How did this all start for you musically?
I began playing the violin at seven years old, and my passion for music has just continued to grow over the years. I began singing in local competitions at the age of fourteen and began writing my own music not long after. I’d always wanted to record and release my original music, so when I was given the opportunity through connections at my agencies, I jumped at the chance.
Buzz Slayers: What kind of things really inspire songs for you?
Personal struggles and life experiences really bring forward the emotion needed to inspire the type of music I love to write.
Buzz Slayers: This release has some great approaches to it! Can you give us some of your biggest influences musically?
I’d say my style definitely takes after Billie Eilish and Nessa Barrett. I'm starting to get more into the EDM style though, so I've been looking around for some new flavors of artists to inspire me, and I've fallen in love with artists like Duke Dumont and FISHER.
Buzz Slayers: What are you doing when you're NOT working on music?
I love to go skiing, ride horses, and Irish dance when I’m not working on my music. Any downtime I have is definitely used to improve my technique with these sports. I also love making documentaries, and I'm really excited to finally be finishing up my documentary on the troubled teen industry.
Buzz Slayers: Who's in your headphones right now?
Mac Miller, always and forever.
Buzz Slayers: Are you doing any live performances right now?
I’m looking forward to a few live performances in Los Angeles in the new year, stay tuned!
Buzz Slayers: Do you record these at a big studio, or do you have a home studio set-up?
All of my songs are recorded at The Nest by Chapters, which was used to record music for artists like Olivia Rodrigo and films such as High School Musical. It's such a great space, I'm so grateful to have access to such amazing studios in LA.
Buzz Slayers: What can your fans expect from you in the near future?
I have a new music video coming out for my song Living in Fear in the new year, directed by Immanuel Portus, an award-winning director who has shot for companies such as Red Bull, Fendi and SAG.
Buzz Slayers: Before we go, what would you like to say to fans of the music?
Thank you so, so much for loving my art. There’s a lot more to come, this is just the beginning.
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