Unplugged Lounge Conversations with Julia Jade

Julia Jade’s story is one of curiosity, courage, and creativity, shaped by a love for storytelling and a deep respect for music’s power to connect us. With her new EP, she invites listeners into moments both ordinary and extraordinary, weaving experiences of love, loss, and growth into songs that resonate across time. As she continues carving her path, her voice remains one of authenticity, warmth, and hope—an exciting promise of what’s yet to come.

Continue reading to learn more about Julia Jade. . . 

Thanks for chatting with us at Sonic Sisters Magazine! Can you share a bit about how your journey into music began?

I grew up in a very musical household. My parents both play instruments and write songs, scripts, birthday parodies, you name it! Every night at dinner, we would watch an episode of a classic sitcom like I Love Lucy, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Seinfeld etc. From a young age, I was made aware of the power and importance of music and TV as vehicles for storytelling and connection. I started writing (poorly) when I was in first grade, writing a breakup anthem about my childhood frenemy. I loved writing and found it was something that came naturally, and something my parents always encouraged me to do. When I was in high school at the LA County High School for the Arts, I played one of my original songs in front of my classmates, and it was exceptionally well-received. That was the first time I realized maybe I was creating something special. The next time I was reminded of that was when I auditioned for the Berklee College of Music. The next time was when I got in! And the rest is history. 

Who have been some of the most significant influences on your musical style?

Early Ingrid Michaelson, Sara Bareilles, and Regina Spektor really spoke to me, and you can hear their influences in my music. I was raised on Billy Joel and Elton John, who I love dearly, and I feel that as an adult, their influence makes its way into my art a lot more often as I grow to explore and understand the music they were writing and the ways I relate to it, so a hodgepodge of those five incredible artists. 

And which female musicians or women in the music industry have inspired your journey?

I am very inspired by Phoebe Bridgers lately. I am enamored not only by her songwriting, but her spirit for collaboration (see: collaborations with Connor Oberst, Paul McCartney, Lucy Dacus & Julien Baker, Ethan Gruska, etc.) and also her leadership in the industry through the development of her own indie music label. I appreciate her artistry and her personhood as she continues to make the music industry a friendlier place. 

How do your personal experiences shape your songwriting, and what do you hope listeners take away from those connections?

Some of my songs are completely autobiographical, but every story I tell, real or imagined, is based on a very real feeling. I hope people can take away that all the feelings are real, and they are also all temporary – there are always more songs to be written, more feelings to feel. The EP is a time capsule of different eras of my life over the past 10 years… Some feel very far away now, and some I can sing with the same ferocity I could when I lived those feelings. Also, the same songs five years from now can hold new meaning as you grow as a person, and I think it would be wonderful if people listened to my music now and in the future, and reflected on the ways the messages have changed for them as they have grown. 

Congratulations on your brand-new release, (extra)ordinary - what inspired this EP?

My song “(extra)ordinary” was the catalyst for this EP. It’s one of my favorites I’ve ever written, based on my all-time favorite TV show, The Office. As someone in a long-term relationship, I find that most songs, movies, and TV shows are about the beginnings of relationships, and never the middle part. It’s all shiny and new excitement without really knowing each other. I think The Office does a great job of finding the special moments in the mundane, everyday occurrences, and that inspired me to write the song, in that sharing a life with someone requires the same philosophy. The EP sort of came together around that song, representing different eras and versions of me navigating different relationships… Honorable mention for the song “let’s call this what it is,” which to me is a reflection of what a relationship could have turned into if it hadn’t ended when it did… and a good reminder that sometimes endings that feel painful in the moment are really the beginning of something better. 

What song (not your own) has had the biggest influence on you and why?

This is an unfair question because there are simply too many. I will say “Becoming All Alone” by Regina Spektor with the caveat that I have a (not-exhaustive) playlist of songs that I wish I wrote that is five hours long, and growing.  That song found me in a really treacherous time in our world and history. It is grand and vulnerable and offers a profound sense of humanity through its lyrics. It has a bombastic backbeat juxtaposed with orchestral touches that really represent a feeling of both hope and helplessness, of questioning and of feeling alone in the universe. The lyrics “I just want to ride, but this whole world, it makes me carsick. Stop the meter, sir, you have a heart. Why don’t you use it? Why doesn’t it get better with time? I’m becoming all alone again. Stay stay stay,” followed by a huge instrumental break that feels like pushing a boulder up a hill and then running down that same hill freely, empty-handed. I find it hard to put into words, but the thoughtful chord progressions, orchestral arrangements, and touchingly unique lyrics make it an influential song that blows me away every time I hear it. 

Is there a song in your catalog that holds a special personal meaning for you? We'd love to hear the story or inspiration behind it.

Because I’ve already mentioned “(extra)ordinary” and “let’s call this what it is,” and I’ve also had the privilege of speaking on “missin’ out” as a single, I’ll give an unexpected shoutout to “nobody knows,” which opens the EP. This song represents a quiet confidence I’ve developed and intentionally worked towards in the past few years. It’s feeling comfortable in knowing that not everybody is going to understand you, and that it’s okay to be misunderstood… the people that know you and love you will get you. 

What are some of the aspirations you have for your music moving forward?

I would love to play more shows and be a tour opener someday. I would love more people to know my music and for it to find them when they need it. Ideally, I could play at the Greek Theatre and on SNL… but I’m willing to be patient! More music coming in 2026.

What advice would you give to emerging female artists who are just starting out in the music world?

Even with the best of intentions, when people try to guide you and give you advice, take it with a grain of salt, and at the end of the day, trust your internal compass. You are an artist through and through, no matter how many listeners you have, and you know what’s best for your music, and I’m proud of you for making it and for dreaming… that’s half the battle. 

Before we wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to say to our readers?

Thank you for reading and for listening. For a long time, I thought my songs would exist only for my ears and in my bedroom, and I was content with that idea. But this is so much better, because it is such a gift to connect with people and get to hear their stories and share in these feelings together.