Interview – Georgia Juliette

By Kelly Meacock

Q. You were playing guitar at age 13. What and who influenced you to get into music?
A. My parents are the main reason for my love affair with music. Dad is a self-taught guitarist and my mum taught the choir at all of my schools. My sister and I were playing instruments from a very young age — violin at 3 years old. As a family we loved harmonising and listened to an extensive range of music including The Beatles, Cat Stevens, James Taylor, The Beach Boys, Joni Mitchell, ABBA, Fleetwood Mac, Bach, Miles Davis, etc. After playing numerous classical instruments I rebelled and picked up the electric guitar. I thought I was Courtney Love!

Q. Your music is described as contemporary, acoustic music. How did this style come about?
A. It’d have to be the mixture between my influences (The Waifs, Fleetwood Mac, Little Birdy, Sheryl Crow, Cat Stevens, Bertie Blackman) and my love of storytelling. When I started writing songs, I was writing on acoustic, so that’s the feel I started to generate. I’m a bit of a heartfelt storyteller and like the focus to be on the vocals and the lyrics. My songs are stories about life, my experiences and thoughts.

Q. What are your techniques you use for songwriting?
A. I always write the music and melody before the lyrics. Then I know what mood I’m going for. I usually have a subject I’ve been thinking about, so then I just sing whatever comes out. I know it’s a bit strange but it works for me. I do love to people-watch. I’m fascinated with the lives of other people and I get a lot of my inspiration from it.

Q. Where are some of the best places that you have performed?
A. Will and Toby’s Supper Club, the Annandale, Icebergs, The Vanguard, The Excelsior.

Q. What do you think has been the turning point in your music career so far?
A. Recording my debut EP Love Affair.

Q. What song/s do you enjoy playing the most? Why?
A. I can’t pick! Every night is different. And it depends on whether I play solo or with the band. Emily Jane sounds rocking with the band.

Q. What was it like recording your album Love Affair? Did you enjoy the process?
A. It was such a wonderful experience. I loved every moment — even though it was rather stressful too! I learnt a lot from the people I worked with and I also learnt that being extremely organised is a very good thing.

Q. Did you already have a certain feel in mind for your album or did it just happen?
A. I already had the feel of the EP in my mind. Because I recorded in Perth (I’m based in Sydney), I only had one rehearsal with the band before we recorded. I sent many packages back to Perth describing the mood, feel, the sound I wanted each instrument to use, and albums I compared it to. It was a good plan and it definitely worked in my favour!

Q. Where did the recording take place?
A. Underground Studios, Booragoon, Perth, WA.

Q. Who did you record the album with?
A. Rella Music sponsored the recording and got me the band, audio engineer, rehearsal room, and recording studio. They were fantastic. That was a lot of organising I didn’t have to do — a massive help! I was lucky enough to have my good friend and guitarist Doug Weaver over from Sydney for the recording. We were delighted with the company and playing ability of Tom Bull (piano), James Michael Thompson (guitar), Wade Saunders (drums), Gary Bennese (bass), and the lovely James Newhouse as our audio engineer. We had a ball and made some very good friends. It was amazing to work with such a talented and inspirational group of people — I feel so lucky!

Q. You recently had your CD launch. What was that like?
A. AMAZING! It was such a fun night — a sell-out, so very successful too! It was so lovely to see all my friends and family supporting me. Even better to hear people really enjoyed it — I certainly got a lot of fans on board!

Q. Did you have support acts with you at your CD launch?
A. Great supports — Watson and Warner, an acoustic-based trio, and Lindsay Drummond, singer with keys. They were great.

Q. What is next for you and your music career?
A. Gigs, gigs, gigs — and another recording.

Q. What is your ultimate goal with your music career, where do you hope to be in the near future?
A. I want to make it my career. I just love to write and I love to play, and I believe people should do what makes them happy. This is it for me.