Since March, genre-jumping singer-songwriter, Julia Bhatt has been releasing a new single every month and today, she has revealed yet another side of herself with her synth-driven indie-folk single, “Confetti“. Taken from her upcoming debut album, it is what it is, “Confetti” follows three previous tracks released this year (the dreamy “Cotton Candy“, airy yet honest “On My Shoulder” and high energy “Karma“), and serves as yet another teaser of what to expect from the dynamic album. Taking an introspective look at the way she reacts to challenges, “Confetti” finds Julia touching on the power of gratitude and positive thinking.
With it is what it is (out independently July 20th) marking her first full-length collection of music, Julia Bhatt found herself tapping into countless emotions throughout the album’s eleven songs. Whether they were well thought out and written with intent, like last year’s single, “1:30”, or written in the spur of the moment and fueled by strong emotions like “Karma”, the tracks that make up it is what it is find Julia Bhatt diving deep into her emotions while simultaneously exploring her sonic range. We caught up with Julia to talk about the album’s influences and her growth while writing it. Read more and listen to “Confetti” now below.
Prelude Press: You’ve released a handful of singles so far this year, all taken from your upcoming album, it is what it is. What has been the highlight of 2022 so far for you?
Julia Bhatt: I’m really excited to play this music festival (Wet Mango Fest). I’ve been having a lot of fun playing with some really talented local guys, and it feels good. I’m excited to see how this show goes.
it is what it is marks your debut full-length release, and I understand you’ve been working on it for quite a while now – what does it feel like to be able to finally release it to the world?
It’s a bit scary, because there’s so much to have opinions about. But I also value the opinions of others, especially when they’re objective, so I’m excited to see what people have to say about it. I always get the question “what genre do you play” and I never know what to say. Maybe people will hear the whole thing and be able to identify.
It being your first large collection of songs you’ve released, did you have any major goals in mind when you first started working on the album?
I think it was just to get enough songs to put on a record. Not just singles and EPs but something real and cohesive. This album is a little bit of everything but I feel like it works.
While there’s not necessarily an overarching theme on the album, was there anything that you knew you wanted to touch on lyrically when you began writing?
Some of them I wrote for the album specifically, but some, like “Karma,” are songs that I wrote when I was experiencing shit. And I wrote that shit down. Those songs are usually easy to distinguish from the ones that are a little more lyrically put together. I’m not sure if I’m explaining this well, but songs like “Fighting Type” and “1:30,” those were written systematically, with intent. Some were spur of the moment. It’s a bunch of stuff, so it’s hard to generalize.
Your music is really unique, because it doesn’t quite fit into just one box. What kind of freedom does that give you when you’re writing? Was there anything you were able to try on it is what it is that you haven’t had the chance to do in the past?
I like to think that I just evolve with each song, but it’s mostly due to a large pool of influences. I love so much music and so many different types of music. When I try to recreate it, I get my music. I never know what to call it or define it, but I think the real challenge was getting them all to sound cohesive enough to be on one album. I’ve never had to think about that.
Did you come across any challenges when working on the album?
Lost a lot of motivation towards the end. We didn’t have quite enough songs and the ones we’d been working on just didn’t sound right. That was rough. I got through it though, and ended up using a track my producer sent a while back to make something chill. Ended up working and, you know, it is what it is.
How do you feel you’ve grown as an artist while working on the album? Did you learn anything about yourself during the process?
I’ve learned that I’m not great at working alone. I recorded a lot of stuff from home in Miami and sent it to New York. It was somewhat lonely. Not sure if that made me grow, but I’ve learned to rely on others more.
What was the most exciting or rewarding part of the writing and recording process?
When someone tells me they really like a song. I get people saying “Oh I listened to your music, it’s good” sometimes, but every now and then, someone will run up and be like “I heard [song] and i haven’t stopped listening to it omg “ etc. When someone mentions something specific like that, it means a lot. I naturally assume people are just being nice so it’s cool.
What does the rest of 2022 look like for you? Do you have any other big plans?
Trying to take it easy! Promoting takes a lot out of me because I’m not that into promoting myself, so I’m looking forward to going to Europe with my boyfriend. We worked hard to afford it and we’re very excited.
Thank you for taking the time to chat with us! Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Nope!!! Thank you very much. Hope I answered well.
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