In the realm of music, there are artists who not only create melodies but also weave stories, emotions, and experiences into their compositions, captivating listeners with every note. Julian Roy stands as one such artist, whose music transcends genres and boundaries, offering a glimpse into the depths of his soul.
In this exclusive interview, we have the privilege of delving into the creative mind of Julian Roy, shedding light on the inspiration behind his latest album, “Friends First.” From the poignant lyrics that echo personal journeys to the eclectic blend of musical styles that defy categorization, Julian Roy shares the stories behind the songs, offering an intimate look into the making of his music.
Join us as we embark on a journey through Julian Roy’s musical landscape, exploring the themes, collaborations, and creative process that shape his artistry. Through this conversation, we uncover the essence of “Friends First” and gain insight into Julian Roy’s vision for the future of his music.
Get ready to immerse yourself in the world of Julian Roy, where every melody tells a story, and every chord resonates with emotion. Welcome to a musical journey unlike any other.
Congratulations on your new album. Can you share with us the overarching inspiration behind your album “Friends first”?
Well it was recorded during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. friends first, and was inspired by my life and travels through South East Asia and South America as well as living with communities in Nashville, San Francisco and Los Angeles. n, during this time my father also passed away which shaped parts of the album. friends first, has nine different producers, was recorded in Mexico, USA, Colombia, and Norway (three continents), and has seven featured artists.
Your music has been described as genre-defying. How do you approach blending different musical styles and genres in your songs?
Well I grew up listening to the Beatles, Stevie Wonder, and then transitioned into No Doubt, Wu-Tang Clan, Outkast and lots more. Always have appreciated all music and be open to it. I think with experiencing so many different cultures and being around various styles of production, it lead into me not staying in one lane genre wise.
You’ve mentioned that personal events and your travels have influenced the album. Could you elaborate on how these experiences shaped the themes and sound of “Friends first”?
For sure, well I’ve fortunately experienced love in my life and I wrote on notes of love quite a bit in this album. Also my father passed away while working on this album and without a doubt that held its influence. The traveling and movement around cultures too, as I said above, held another large influence. Its this openness and vulnerability when stepping into something unknown, I feel like it always brings perspective and growth if you allow it. Those tones are carried throughout the album.
“Friends first” features a diverse range of producers and collaborators. How did these collaborations come about, and how did they contribute to the overall creative process?
I could write forever about this. It was written in Covid so I wrote with a lot of my friends and producers remotely. I can’t speak highly enough about the talent of my collaborators on this album, it was a joy to bring in such amazing and talented people. Some of these songs were made in Virginia, New York City, Mexico City, Puerto Escondido, Los Angeles and Norway. Also with so many producers, it took a lot of effort to keep the sound and aesthetic of the album consistent. Big shout out to my mix master tech, Gladwell on that one <3.
Each track on the album seems to tell a different story. Could you walk us through the creative process behind some of the standout songs?
Its a big mix, but most of them were written within one setting. I usually write like this now, where Ill write a song in a sitting, and then touch it up after production wise and lyrically. I work with my producers to get the track going and usually during that process I have a number of melodies and lyrics coming to mind.
Your debut EP, “18 lbs,” received widespread acclaim. How does “Friends first” build upon the foundation laid by your previous work?
Well its my first album. You can sit down and I feel like the songs are to be heard together not simply by themselves. Im glad to get something full length out and show people a little more depth of this project. I have so much more coming out and glad that friends first cant be the first full length people listen to as they discover my music.
With the world still grappling with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, how did the pandemic impact the recording process and the themes explored in the album?
Well as stated above, most of this was recorded remotely. When Covid started I went to a friends farm in Virginia close to where I grew up. As we started a farm together, I started putting this album together and seeing what it would look like.
During that time my father was also struggling with Alzheimers and I spent many days with him on the farm and driving around where I grew up. All of this I feel like impacted the album, after the time in Virginia I went to Puerto Escondido for 6 months and worked with my brother and a number of different artists on this project and various other projects.
You’ve performed in over 16 countries and self-booked tours across the globe. How has your extensive travel influenced your music, and can we expect to hear those influences in “Friends first”?
For sure you can. I think mostly in the vulnerability of the album, as well as the lyric themes from lets say, ‘bend it’. Ive built my career to be something I love, touring and pushing my music very naturally and organically working with different music communities across the world. I love the music and life it brings.
One of the tracks, “MKB,” explores themes of love, joy, and respect for women and relationships. Could you delve into the inspiration behind this song and its significance to you?
Yes! My mom is amazing and grew me up really well, around all types of people from all over the world. And as I’ve grown up and seen the many inequalities in this world, womens right has always been one close to heart. And not just womens rights, but general respect. My mom actually played clarinet on this song, if you listen closely you’ll hear it sampled throughout 🙂
Finally, what message or emotion do you hope listeners take away from “Friends first,” and what can they expect from Julian Roy in the future?
Ohhh, love, hope, joy, sadness, a whole slew! This album has made me laugh and cry and jump and dance. So, I just hope it inspires you. Inspires you to be authentic with yourself and people in your life.
