Julie Mintz – These Canyons

By starrymag | April 1, 2025

By: Karen Steinberg

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound? 

A) My sound blends ethereal folk and dark Americana. I like to think it’s haunting yet delicate, with storytelling at the core. It’s a mix of dreamy melancholy, classic country influences and a gothic, cinematic feel at times.

Q) Who are some of your musical influences? 

A) Joni Mitchell is my ultimate influence. Being a lifelong fan of her music has shaped me as a songwriter. I was lucky enough to see her perform this past year at the Hollywood Bowl and it’s safe to say no concert experience can ever top that. I’m also inspired by Emmylou Harris, Patty Griffin and Dolly Parton, as well as younger artists like Kacey Musgraves and Lana Del Rey. I admire women who speak directly to their audience through their music and lyrics.

Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “These Canyons.” 

A) “These Canyons” is a three-part story, with each verse inspired by the hope and sorrow of life in Los Angeles. I sing about my own ups and downs having lived, loved and lost in Laurel Canyon, Benedict Canyon and Beachwood Canyon. It takes on an even deeper sense of grief in the wake of the devastating wildfires. The song reflects on the echoes of lives that have passed through these canyons, both in a personal sense and in the history of Los Angeles itself. It’s about nostalgia, loss and our shared histories in a storied place.

Q) This is such a beautiful tribute to the events of those involved in the LA fires. What kind of response have you been receiving to the song? 

A) The response has been incredibly moving. People who have experienced loss, whether from the fires or in other ways, just in the course of life or the highs and lows of being an Angeleno, have reached out to say the song resonates deeply with them. That kind of connection makes writing music feel worthwhile. I do it to express a longing within myself, but it is even more meaningful when others recognize themselves in it.

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

A) So far, I’ve released a lyric video set against the sweeping, iconic views of the Hollywood Hills and Laurel Canyon, along with those glimmering jetliner nightscapes of Los Angeles. It brought up incredibly nostalgic and sentimental feelings for me. There’s something about those visuals that really capture the magic and melancholy of Los Angeles. It felt like the perfect backdrop for the song’s themes of longing and loss. I think anyone who’s come to LA chasing a dream, or even just someone who’s an avid film and TV viewer, has an emotional connection to those images. They represent the allure and heartbreak of this city in such a universal way.

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

A) It varies, but I often start with a lyrical idea or a phrase that carries emotional weight for me. The most organic process, with the best prosody, is when the lyrics and melody unfold simultaneously. Lyrics are very important to me, so even if I begin with a chord progression, the storytelling is always the heart of the song.

Q) The song was produced by Justin Gammella, but how much of a hand do you have in the production of your music? 

A) This was my first time meeting and working with Justin. I was thrilled to work with him because he has produced a lot of female singer-songwriters in a way that honors the lyrics and melody. He is not someone who drowns out a female voice with overkill on instrumentation and I love how he respects the integrity of the song. He is also known in the industry as a killer vocal producer. I’ve never had anyone give this much attention to my vocals and it made me feel so supported. I’m so glad I had his talent producing this song – it was a perfect collaboration.

Q) With “These Canyons” out now, is this a prelude to a full album or EP? 

A) Yes! “These Canyons” is part of a series of singles I’m releasing this year, which will eventually form an EP. It will be a joint release between AntiFragile and my own label, Daughters of Cain Records. I’ve always released my music through my Daughters of Cain label, but it’s exciting to have the support of a bigger label like AntiFragile in this collaboration. The next singles are taking me in a new direction musically. I’m particularly excited about a fun, upbeat track I’m releasing next called “Done With Boys.” I think listeners are going to really enjoy it – it’s a different vibe for me with tongue-in-cheek humor but still has my signature storytelling.

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

A) Performing at the Hollywood Bowl and with the LA Philharmonic was surreal. However, one of the highlights of my career was performing at the O2 Arena in London on Moby’s 25th Anniversary Play Tour this past fall. The energy in such a massive venue was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. Going from growing up in a small town in Texas to somehow ending up in the UK playing the iconic solo piano line on Moby’s “Porcelain” in front of 20,000 people is mind-blowing.

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

A) I’ve been so lucky to work with Moby for much of my career, with him producing many of my releases. We’ve also been working on a side project that leans more into ethereal electronic music, and I’ll be releasing a song from that later this year. As for other collaborations, I’ve always dreamed of doing a classic country duet in the vein of Johnny Cash and June Carter. I would love to record something like that with a modern twist. I’m open to what comes next for me and excited to see where the music leads.

Q) What artist/musician are you currently listening to and why do you dig them? 

A) I’ve been really into Lord Huron lately and I’ll admit I’m late to the party. Their blend of atmospheric indie folk really resonates with me. I’m also a creature of habit and will never tire of Fleetwood Mac’s song “Rumors” as the perfect album to play in the kitchen while cooking dinner.

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

A) Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Making music can feel so personal and solitary at times but knowing that my songs touch people makes it all so meaningful. Your support allows me to keep creating and I’m forever grateful.

 

 

Watch The Lyric Video For “These Canyons”

 

 

Listen to “These Canyons”