Julia Cannon – How Many

By starrymag | September 4, 2023

By: Alejandra Gil M.

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

 

A) I say folk/soul as default but sometimes people say I’m R&B and sometimes I get folk/rock. I’m like if Paul Simon and Norah Jones had a baby.

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

 

A) My OG influences are Ella Fitzgerald, Paul McCartney, Paul Simon, Norah Jones, Iron & Wine, Fleet Foxes, Stevie Wonder and Regina Spektor and those jazzy folky people.  My contemporary influences lately have been PJ Morton, Emily King, Madi Diaz, Brittany Howard, Margaret Glaspy and Yola.

 

Q) Growing up in a very diverse house with a Filipino mom, a Panamanian Jamaican father and a Native Alaskan stepdad, making your songwriting just as colorful as your upbringing. How have they influenced your music and made you a better artist?

 

A) I think that this cocktail led to me being exposed to a lot of different kinds of music.  It directly influences my songwriting still today. I think that all three of my parents had pretty good taste in music.  And mom being Filipina led to me being exposed to a huge catalog of music via karaoke, which we did often.

 

Q) Your highly anticipated album How Many is out now. Across 12 tracks, like “Day 2 day,” “These Dreams,” “How Many,” “Just Let It” and a personal favorite “Yellow Lines.” Do you have a favorite song of your own?

 

A) My favorite on the album is a sneaky one.  It’s “Just Let It.”  I loved producing this track and the guitar parts that my bud, Jake Lashenik from the band Pet Envy, laid down are so good.  The message isn’t my fav, but it’s so groovy.

 

Q) What was the songwriting process like? Do you need music before you can come up with the lyrics?

 

A) It usually comes to me all at once and I have to tap into the flow. I write pretty quickly and I’m really grateful for that gift.  Sometimes I can improvise the entire form of a song and then just go in and fill in the blanks within an hour or two.

 

Q) With “Yellow Lines” being a standout, what is the story behind it?

 

A) Thank you!  It’s your classic end-of-a-college-relationship breakup song.  I stayed behind and they left Boston first.  We just wanted different things.  We wanted to live in different places.  Letting go was hard, but we were both in agreement that it was the best decision and still keep in touch. This is the rare song that I didn’t finish in one sitting. It took two sittings with a few years between them.

 

Q) Was there a song that was more emotional for you to record or maybe challenging for you in some way?

 

A) “Panic Attack Song” was tough. It probably meant the most to me, aside from “Break,” and I wanted to make sure it was perfect – or at least as effective as it could be.  These songs are both extremely important to me.  I’m proud of how they came out.

 

Q) You had previously released “Glow,” “Unglued,” “Yellow Lines,” “Break,” and “These Dreams” as singles, accumulating over 30K streams on Spotify before the album’s delivery. What has it meant to you to get more recognition for your music?

 

A) It’s a gradual effort to reach more people for most musicians.  I’m so grateful for anyone who engages with my music.  It feels amazing to connect on the level where you’re both receiving and giving validation about difficult emotions.  And it can be overwhelming.  I receive some messages about difficult moments for people where my music was a comfort to them and that feels like magic.

 

Q) You crowdfunded for How Many, wrote all the songs, produced and mixed everything.  What do you hope people take away from it?

 

A) Well, I want them to listen to it. [laughs] And then I want them to think about community and how it can make so many difficult things possible if we ask for help and then actually let people help us.  That was the scariest part of the campaign.  I REALLY didn’t want to ask people for help. But I think some people really wanted to help me.  So, COMMUNITY YA’LL!!!

 

Q) In July of 2022, you made your Newport Folk Festival debut, performing with the Black Opry as well as Langhorn Slim, Joy Oladokun, Adia Victoria, and several more earning you a nod from Rolling Stone. Any plans for a headline tour in the future?

A) I’m actually poor [laughs] and I have to work a full-time job, but I would love to take that opportunity if it ever presented itself to me. Right now, I’m touring in spurts when I’m not at work as a nanny and it’s delightful.

 

Q) You will be going on tour through Houston, TX, Mount Solon, New York, Ardmore & WestPort. Is there any song off How Many you are most excited for playing live?

 

A) I am not going to these places, but I am touring to other places and I’m having the most fun playing “Day 2 Day” because I’ve rubber banded a kazoo to a necklace so I can play the piano solo with it …and it has been so fun! The kazoo is such a silly instrument and I really love incorporating it into my live set.

 

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

If Brittany Howard reads this, please let me pick your brain and write a song with you.  I’ll bring Filipino food.

 

Q) What artist/musician are you currently listening to and why do you like it?

A) I’m on a huge Margaret Glaspy kick.  The songwriting is so good. Every few months over the last few years I’ll get stuck on her writing.  And also Alabama Shakes/ Brittany Howard. The same cycle.  But everything Brittany Howard touches feels timeless and like it’s exactly the way it’s supposed to be. Incredible craftsmanship.

 

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

A) I’m an introvert and I love people, but my battery dies really quickly.  Social media is a wonderful way to connect and keep up AND have boundaries in place.  Also, sharing is one of my favorite parts of making art.  Holding up a mirror to one another.

 

Q) What would you like to say to fans and supporters of you and your music?

 

A) THANK YOU SO MUCH AND PLEASE REGISTER TO VOTE <3