#MusicExchange: Julia Church makes waves abroad, collaborates with SA's finest talents

Thanks to several features on dance tracks amassing over 50 million streams; most notably Tez Cadey’s “Walls” and Mozambo and Basic Tape’s “Bright Side”, Church began to garner recognition early on, before heading to university.

At 18, Church decided to further herself artistically, moving to the UK to study music production at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA) learning the creative skills that have led to her unmistakable sound, one that draws ties to her childhood idols.

Producing and writing all of her own music is a key part of her sound

With two EP’s under her belt (2019’s Take What You Want, Do As You Please and 2020’s To Have, Not Just To Hold), Church continues to forge her way into the limelight.

Ahead of the summer season in SA, she has worked with some of the country’s top talents to produce a variety of sounds, bringing her mesmerising vocals and soulful lyrics.

Releasing her own singles and collaborations over the next few weeks with musicians including Sun-EL, Lemon and Herb and Goldfish - it’s a busy season ahead for this unique songstress.

We chatted over Zoom, last week.

The new decade means:

Before Covid-19, my answer would have been different but I think it’s about learning to look after ourselves as best we can and adapt in this weird new climate. For me, personally, it also means the start of this insanely exciting career as an artist.

Fame is about:

Being able to do what you love every day and having people routing for you while you do it.

Retirement will happen when:

I don’t think I could ever retire from songwriting. I think as I get older it will be the one thing that keeps me sane!

I don't do:

Camping.

What does music mean to you?

A space where I can be 100% myself and feel both safe and vulnerable.

What is the most enjoyable aspect of your work?

Working with and learning from so many lovely, talented people and being able to create something completely new and different each day.

Any funny moments on stage:

At my debut single launch in London (“Square 1”), while playing the single, I forgot the opening lyrics and had to ask my manager to shout it from the crowd.

What is your most treasured possession?

My Nord piano.

It’s your round, what are you drinking?

Red wine.

Dream gig to do:

Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado, United States. It’s possibly one of the most stunning settings for a live performance I’ve ever seen.

What makes you stand out?

I’d like to think my big vocal arrangements.

If you were not a musician, what would you do?

Be an archaeologist? Genuinely think I’d want to dig up sand and make cool discoveries.

Pick five words to describe yourself:

Perfectionist, homebody, artistic, chaotic, driven.

Five favourite SA albums of all time: 

Africa to the World – Sun El Musician
The Hanging Gardens of Beatenberg – Beatenberg
Home is where the Music Is – Hugh Masekela (listened through this the other day and it just blew my mind!)
Isphithiphithi – Samthing Soweto (One of my favourite voices in the world.)
Good Morning, Sunshine - Shortstraw

What song changed your life?

“I Can’t Make You Love Me” by Bonnie Raitt. Although the first time I heard it was the live version by Bon Iver and cried my eyes out).

Your greatest achievement:

Moving to the UK on my own to pursue music.

What do you complain about most often?

Slow walkers and slow Wi-Fi. I need to work on being more patient.

What is your fear?

Flying. And losing a Logic session.

On stage, I tend to:

Close my eyes when I sing. It’s a nervous twitch that I’m trying to work on.

Where would you like to be right now?

Home, in Durban.

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