Julia Klot is a NYC based music artist writing soulful pop music. With her original compositions, she creates melodic and intricate piano parts accompanied by her dynamic vocal range that throw it back to singer/songwriters like Carol King and Elton John.
In her most recent release “Boxing Gloves”, Julia introduces an upbeat, funky sound that demonstrates the storytelling nature of her lyrics paired with her fun and captivating musical arrangements.
Julia began her musical study at age 6 and was exposed to the world of songwriting through her teachers. In 2011, Julia began working with an independent record label Radian Records at Redbird Studio, eventually releasing her debut album “Julia Klot” (2014). Since then, she’s established herself as a frequent performer throughout NYC, playing at well-known venues such as the Bitter End, Rockwood Music Hall, Mercury Lounge, Pianos, and Arlene’s Grocery.
Julia’s sophomore release “Brooklyn” (2019) unfolds a captivating story that draws inspiration from missing home and starting anew. The album was recorded in the Music Conservatory studios at Purchase College. Her release “Ghost” (2021) introduces the listener to a more serene and soulful sound, with stories about the cycles and progressions of relationships. While still true to Julia’s piano-based style, the EP showcases experimentalism with synths, keyboard sounds, and arranging.
Julia recently returned to the NYC live music scene, and is recording new music that she can’t wait to share!
How would you describe your music?
The music I write ranges from soulful ballads to funkier, upbeat tunes! I write most of my songs on the piano or keyboard, so that is definitely a big part of my sound. My music has a little bit of pop, rock, soul, jazz, and folk mixed together– and has really varied for each project I’ve released! My album “Brooklyn” (2019) was an alternative pop, full-band sound with instrumental arrangements– heavily influenced by one of my favorite artists Sara Bareilles– and my EP “Ghost” (2021) was a little more experimental with synths/keyboard sounds, but more of a singer/songwriter genre featuring a string quartet and horn trio arrangements that I composed. My new music is very different than anything I’ve released– it is more of a soul/pop sound heavily influenced by bands like Lawrence and Melt, but it still stays true to my piano-based style!
What is your current music project about?
My new single “Boxing Gloves” is about a friendship that I couldn’t be a part of any more. It’s an anthem for any one who feels like they’ve been taken for granted or given their all to someone only to be pushed around. It is a step in the direction to a more liberating sound for my music, both sonically and conceptually!
What do you enjoy most about being an artist?
I love the creative freedom and catharsis that comes along with being a songwriter. My songs are an emotional outlet and a way to express myself, and I love that I am able to do that and have my words and music be related to, or evoke some kind emotion in an audience or listener. I also have a lot of fun doing it! I love making music, collaborating with other musicians, and the feeling of performing on stage! It is both a passion and a career and to have those two things fit together is a great feeling.
What is your favorite song to perform?
Honestly, it’s a tie between my song “Brooklyn” and my new song “Boxing Gloves”! My song “Brooklyn” has grown alongside me over the past few years, and the way I play it now with my band is the way I wish it was recorded! There’s such good energy when we play it live, and it’s a sentimental song for me so that makes it that much easier for me to love. “Boxing Gloves” is just a really fun song to play- the horns, the keyboard sound and parts, the vocal melodies, and the fact that it’s a crowd pleaser all make it one of my favorites to play live.
What is your biggest musical challenge?
I think my biggest challenge has been overcoming my insecurities as a musician. As someone who’s been in the music industry since a very young age, I’ve received a lot of criticism, with both constructive and negative impacts on my career. Once somebody tells you that you’re not good enough, or you’re not quite there yet, that’s a hard sentiment to shake. I’ve spent the last ten years of my music career proving to myself and others that I work hard, make good music and know what I’m doing. But I’ve recently realized that it’s not so much about proving yourself as it is having a good time, and making art that you and others will genuinely care about.
If we were to look at the artists on your playlist, who would you be listening to?
Lots of female artists who I love! Recently I’ve been listening to a lot of Lizzy McAlpine, Phoebe Bridgers, Madison Cunningham, and Remi Wolf. They all have such unique writing styles, vocals, and arrangements for their music and I’m hoping their writing will influence my next batch of music!
What are your ambitions as a songwriter and musician from here?
I really would love to go on tour! I’ve been gigging around NYC for years, but I would love to try some new locations/venues as my fan base grows. Opening for an artist or band I listen to would be the dream! As a songwriter, I have a whole album’s worth of music I’ve been sitting on that I can’t wait to get in the studio and record. I also would love to collaborate with other singers/songwriters that I know– it’s been a vision of mine to create an EP or album that is entirely collaborative!
What can we expect from you within the next 6 months? Are any new releases planned? Future gigs?
I have more music coming soon (already recorded) that I’m really excited about– it elaborates on this new sound and style I’m introducing with “Boxing Gloves”! After my single release show at Rockwood Music Hall, I’m looking forward to doing more shows this summer, and maybe planning a mini tour for when my new music comes out. I have an upcoming session with Leesta Vall Sound Recordings on September 16th, where fans can choose a song of mine that I will record live and directly onto vinyl. Each vinyl will be its own unique live recording of one of my songs!
You are a new addition to a crayon box. What color would you be and why?
I’m gonna answer based on my current hair color and say magenta!! According to the internet, magenta is the color of “universal harmony and emotional balance” and represents “cheerfulness, happiness, contentment, and appreciation”. I always like to have a positive outlook on life, and even when I’m not feeling particularly “happy and cheery”, I always want my image to come across as positive with emotional integrity!
What would you bring along to an idyllic picnic?
Honestly, lots of cheese. A whole charcuterie board if you will. And if I could bring a cooler filled with only Trader Joe’s “Sublime” Ice Cream Sandwiches. That would be my ideal, dairy riddled picnic.
What would be the ideal food to have cooked for you on a date night?
My boyfriend makes the best homemade authentic tacos and I will eat them any night of the week!! He’s so sick of them but whenever he’s making anything with chicken I always ask for tacos.
What’s your least favorite personality trait you like about yourself?
I’m an overthinker for sure! It’s hard for me to make the smallest decisions, from picking my outfit for the day to choosing the wording of an email! It’s even harder for me to make the bigger decisions. In some ways, it’s beneficial because it allows me to be really thorough in everything I take on but I also wish I could just snap my fingers and make the right decision sometimes!
If you could ask your future self one question, what would it be?
I would ask myself If I am still making music, and more importantly– if I still enjoy doing music? I hope that my future self isn’t feeling burned out from the music industry and still has the same passion and love for writing, recording, releasing, and performing my music.
Original song “Boxing Gloves” performed live with band at @MusicAtPurchase for @nprmusic Tiny Desk Contest 2023!
I love the Tiny Desk series and have always wanted to submit my music– this song is one of my favorites I’ve ever written and I hope you like it. Thanks for listening!
CREDITS:
Keys/Vocals- Julia Klot
Electric guitar- Anthony Dom
Bass- Vincent Guiliano
Drums- Jonathan Awad
Tenor sax 1- Nick Massimo
Tenor sax 2- Brendan Mark
Trumpet- Noah Mattison
Trombone- Marty Scott
Stream Boxing Gloves here https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/juliaklot/boxing-gloves
https://instagram.com/juliaklot