Jules Walcott – First At the Altar

By starrymag | October 15, 2018

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

 

A) I feel that my music is a sleek combination of both my original rock origins and modern dark pop. “First At The Altar” is a glistening example of what I feel I am as a solo artist; anger, yet grace, power and a refreshing amount of rawness.

 

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

 

A) I love confident female vocalist because they usually remind me of myself. Some other artist’s that influence me are Jessie Reyez, Billie Eilish, Hayley Williams, Lzzy Hale and Kurt Cobain.

 

 

Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “First At the Altar.”

 

A) “First At The Altar” was lyrically one of the most exciting, yet challenging songs I have ever written. Written in my perspective about the time I was cheated on in a relationship, the writing process of this song was clearly driven on the emotion surrounding this experience. As I started writing the song, my goal was for it to be a diss at the person who cheated on me. As I kept writing, I began to discover that I wasn’t writing a diss track, I was writing about the inner conflict I constantly struggle with, where I let some else’s actions take control of my life.

 

 

Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?

 

A) I think a lot of fans can relate to the lyrics of the songs I write. I find therapy in my songs. There is something very special about being able to lock my problems into a beautiful song and never have to face the problem again the same way. I can’t tell you how many people have told me they were going through same problems I talk about in my songs and I hope that they find the same therapy in my songs as I do.

 

 

Q) How does the video for the track play into the message behind it?

 

A) The significance of the graveyard has to do with the lyric of the song “carve my name on your grave.” The person I wrote the song about really put me in a dark place in my life and I wanted to convey that dark and eerie energy within the music video.

 

 

Q) What is your song writing process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?

 

A) First, I start with messing around with some chords on the piano until I find a chord progression I really like. Then, I put a melody over that along with some lyrics and determine from there if that will be a verse or a chorus, then I go on from there.

 

Q) How much of hand do you have in the production of your music?

 

A) I have a ton of hand in the production of my music! My producer (Okan Kazdal, NEVRLANDS) is very cool with that. We are very good at working together and he’s very good at creating the sound I want to go for. So, I usually just let him do his thing and he never disappoints.

 

 

Q) Your song “Please Leave a Message” racked up 40,000 music video views! How did that make you feel?

 

A) It was a great feeling! It’s a little overwhelming to think that my video was seen that many times, but I’m really happy about the positive response it received!

 

 

Q) What can fans expect from a live Jules Walcott performance?

A) My live performance is very energetic, and I like to engage the crowd a lot during my shows. I had an incredible time performing my first show as not only a solo artist, but as a headliner as well. It was the first time I really got a chance to meet the people who support my music and it felt as though it was a fresh start to my new career as a solo artist.

 

 

Q) Will there be a full EP or album coming in the near future?

 

A) I do plan on releasing an EP within the year. I would love to perform a lot more shows and be able to meet some of the people who support my music!

 

 

Q) Where are some of your favorite places to perform and what makes those locations so significant to you?

 

A) My favorite place to perform is Revolution Bar and Music Hall in Amityville, NY. I always have the best shows there. The staff is friendly, the sound is great, and the stage is beautiful!

 

 

Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?

 

A) There are a lot of people I have in mind. I don’t think I can disclose anything yet!

 

 

Q) What album/band are you currently listening to and why do you dig them?

 

A) I love confident female vocalist because they usually remind me of myself. Some artist’s that influence me are Jessie Reyez, Billie Eilish, Hayley Williams, Lzzy Hale and Kurt Cobain.

 

 

Q) You are a part of social media. Why is that such an important way for you to connect with your fans?

 

A) In a world that’s revolved around smart phones, social media is essential for new musicians to get their music in the public eye.

 

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

 

A) To everyone who supports my music, I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart. You guys believe in me more than I believe in myself, and that means the world to me.