Indie Musician Julia Kugel Shares Her Creative Process and Vision for the Future

Julia Kugel, known for her work with indie bands like The Coathangers and Soft Palms, as well as her own solo project Julia, Julia, has become a notable figure in the indie rock scene. In a recent discussion, Kugel delved into the methods she employs in songwriting, her preferred approach to collaborations, the intricacies of crafting lyrics, her reaction to music industry news, and her favorite music picks from the past year, alongside her aspirations for the coming year.

Collaborative Songwriting Techniques

When collaborating, Kugel emphasizes the importance of establishing a mutual understanding of the project's vibe, especially when contributing to another artist's track. For her, it begins with a dialogue about the song's vision, progresses to demoing ideas, and culminates in fine-tuning lyrics and melodies. She cherishes feedback and believes that working with diverse musical talent helps explore different facets of her personality.

The Art of Lyricism

Kugel confesses that perfecting lyrics is often a daunting task that benefits from live performance trial. Her primary objective is to pen down authentic and repeatable truths. Her technique involves recording a demo where she mumbles coherent sounds, which later help in forming a stream of consciousness type of lyrics that align with the music's mood.

Responding to Music Industry Changes

Reflecting on recent developments within the music industry, Kugel expressed concern, particularly about the news of Spotify's plans to further decrease artist payouts in 2024. While she appreciates the unprecedented access to music that streaming services provide, Kugel is cautious about their ongoing impact on the industry and advocates for a fairer digital music distribution model.

Top Music Picks of 2023

Among her favorite music releases of the past year, Kugel highlighted Fever Ray's "What They Call Us," N8NOFACE's "Kids in Love," and The Smile's "Wall of Eyes" as standout tracks that resonated with her.

Looking Forward to 2024

Kugel's aspirations for 2024 revolve around releasing more music, cherishing time with loved ones, and spreading kindness. While acknowledging the overwhelming nature of global concerns, she maintains a focus on the positive impact of personal interactions.

songwriting, collaboration, lyricism