Edition 03 Playlist:
Julia Church
We’ve had rising talent Julia Church on repeat as the WinWin-deadline looms and can’t get enough of her honey-like music. Inspired by the Edition theme of ‘grey areas’ — and of course the artists she loves — Julia has compiled our Edition 03 Playlist!
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Born in South Africa and growing up in Durban, Julia was raised on Nora Jones and Joni Mitchell. Now based in London, this talented songwriter and producer is headed for very big things. Julia recently graduated from the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts where she worked on a one-on-one songwriting session with Sir Paul McCartney. It all comes together on textured tracks that blend electronic production with real instruments and her rich vocals. Julia’s EP Take What You Want, Do As You Please is set for release on October 11th, and we can’t wait to see her career take flight!
Playlist.
Tremble — Julia Church
I think Tremble best represents me as an artist as it embodies me as a writer as well as a producer. It’s the song I am most proud of because it’s unapologetic and makes me feel bold! I also think looking at the other songs in this list, it makes sense how Tremble was the product of years of listening to a wide range of genres and artists, for example the Jamie Woon-esque production and the James Vincent McMorrow-ish lyrics.
Doin’ Time – Lana Del Ray
Cavalier — James Vincent McMorrow
James Vincent McMorrow has been a huge influence on me in terms of lyric writing, which I never fully realised until quite recently. The lyrics in Cavalier are so descriptive and interesting; the opening line “speak until the dust settles in the same specific place” I always found so poignant and I particularly love the way he sings “I remember my first love” with such conviction and emotion. This song builds consistently throughout and I absolutely love his use of brass instruments.
Light On — Maggie Rogers
Twice — Little Dragon
I think this song is so clever and haunting in the way that it never resolves. There is palpable tension that builds throughout the song and never stabilises – and I love that. This song made me fall in love with the simple piano/vocal combination and proves that great songs are often the ones that are the most simple. The lyrics are also bizarrely beautiful and It inspired a song I wrote called Shiloh which will be out later this year.
Money — LEISURE
Shy — Leon Bridges
This song is so simple but genuinely one of the most addictive pieces of music I’ve ever heard. It’s so well written and to-the-point, plus Leon Bridge sings so damn beautifully and with such soul. He’s a big inspiration to me, especially when it comes to songwriting but this is hands-down my favourite song of his. It’s one that I will probably listen to for the rest of my life and never get tired of. Also the little guitar riff that repeats throughout is so tasteful and groovy.
In Vain — Sigrid
Sharpness — Jamie Woon
I swear the first time I heard this I wanted to scream. I can whole-heartedly say that I have never found a groove to be more infectious than that of Sharpness. Jamie Woon and his band are all such phenomenal musicians and the arrangements of his songs are total genius, but this one is just next-level in my opinion. This song has influenced my production and drum programming in particular; it makes me want to be a better producer and I truly admire artists who have that effect on me.
Glass House — Kyle Dion
Playlist extra:
I Can’t Make You Love Me — Bon Iver rendition
This was the first bit of music that ever made me cry. I watched the video of him performing it at the piano and was so taken aback by the way it made me feel. I heard it at a point in my life where I was feeling pretty vulnerable and up until then, I had never heard something more relatable that just made me feel understood. The song was a classic long before Bon Iver covered it; but there was just something about Justin Vernon’s raw and powerful vocal on this that took me somewhere else and made me want to write songs forever.
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