Meet Juliane, this talented female r&b pop and soul singer from Montreal whom I had the honor to work with for a year and half as her choreographer and back-up dancer. We discussed about her musical influence, her new vision, direction and message that she wants to spread in her music. In this interview, she gave us her opinion about today's artists, tips and advices. You'll notice that she is a very frank and a simple lady who genuinely loves making music.
Q. First of all I'd like to thank you for accepting to take this interview with me for Morburn Media and If you don't mind, I would like for you to tell the people who doesn't know you in few words...Who is Juliane ?
A. Juliane is determined, she embraces life and in God she trusts. ;)
I'm 22 years old, I started to sing at the age of 4, in my bedroom, listening to Michael Jackson, stealing his moves et building up little "shows".
But seriously, I've been working on myself and my music for 5 years now. I'm trying to find out who I really am and what I really want to do. Now It's clear to me that I want to spread love, faith and peace throughout the lyrics and my music. I was working under the name of "Anjulie" but I had to switch due to business reasons, so now its Juliane.
Q. Does Juliane sounds different from Anjulie (the old you)? If so, how did you evolve around your music?
A. Well, she doesn"t sound too different. Im still enjoying and creating r&b and pop music, but I've realised how important and beautiful musi trully is, how deep it is, and how powerful the "words" are. I've grown lot as an artist, and as a woman.
Q. I know that you are now writting and singing in french. That's a whole new direction, have you thought about your anglophone fans & the connection they have already established with your music?
A. Well, I still write songs in english but for now, I want to concentrate and focus in working and perfecting my music in french, my first language. I'm still gonna have some bonus tracks in english on my upcoming album, so I still want to keep that connection with my anglophone fans, it's really important to me.
Q. What have you learned from the music scene in Montreal ?
A. Hum.. the music scene in Montreal ? It's like everywhere in the music industry in general. We have to be carefu because there's a lot of "talking for nothing". Montreal is a small town.. we both agree that it's not like New-York or L.A. and the music scene is very small. But there's a LOT of talented people! Very good singers, dancers, musicians, actors, designers.. !
The problem is that it's always the same people who get the "biggest" exposure (radio-television) or fundings. And, even though I think Montreal has a lot of potential, we're not "there" yet..but it's coming. The r&b-soul scene is still really underground and we're still "behind" compare to the US. Yes, there is a lot of competition in the states, but in Montreal here's also a lot of ressources and a lot of gigs... you might not be as famous as Alicia Keys, but u still can live from your music, if you do the right thing with discipline.
So yeh, in Montreal, we gotta work harder. But eh ! We love Montreal for all the festivals, the cultural diversity and the half american/half european vibe !
Q. Who are the artists that you loved working with in Montreal & what does it takes in your opinion to survive in the music industrie ESPECIALLY IN Montreal, since we both know and grew up with people telling us there is no hope here. What do you think?
A. I enjoy working with Alan Prater, Sarah Mk(BTM!), producer Patrice Antoine(Fullscale productions), my musicians : Kepler(keys), Hubert(guitar), David (bass), Harvey(drum)... these people are really inspiring, talented and true. I feel really bless being around them.
I've worked with a lot of people in the past years and I've learned a lot ! Theres a lot of humble artists, and that's a great thing in Montreal.. most of the people are really down to earth and they want to help and share (not everyone of course;) ) !
In my opinion, to survive in the music industry, especially in Montreal, you gotta be real, stay true to your goals, never give up, stay strong and keep creating, always! Like I said, we're almost there ! We're still hopeful !
If the Lord has given you a passion, a dream, a talent.. Live it, use it, share it, and believe !
Q. Seems like you have found a lot of comfort in God and I could feel that you're more and more comfortable with the person and the artist that you are today...what is the message that you want to spread in your music? What makes you different from all the r&b soul artists that we know today, besides the authenticity of your voice? A. Yes, God is good and I've put my life in his hands since the day he replied to one of my precious prayers. The message I want to spread his message of love, faith and peace. I want to share my thoughts, things I went through, things I'm going through, how I deal with my problems.. how I live as a christian woman. What makes me different is probably my voice compare to my "petiteness" lol, and the message that I spread throughout commercial music.
Q. Last year, you had the chance and the opportunity to participate in the Hit Lab Contest and how was this experience, what did you learned from it?
A. I've learned more about the music business and it was a great experience to sing in front of a crowd of industry insiders (journalists, Akon, producer Veit Renn, Rick Dobbis, a veteran in the industry who worked with the Rolling Stones).
I was kind of stressed, lol, and after seeing my performance, I was like: "ok, I gotta work on my stage presence and on my voice!" So I'm still working on it! I've learned that I can't let stress take over me.
The hitlab showcase was a great step for my career, it was nice meeting everyone.
Q. How do you feel about today's music in general, its evolution & about veterans such as Maxwell, Sade and Toni Braxton that are coming back to bring that old school music feel?
A. Today's music... I'm having a hard time answering that question.
I like it, and at the same time I don't.
The thing is, I can't put every styles-singers-musicians in the same box... but in general, in today's world and societies..
Im not gonna lie, I enjoy some good pop like Beyonce's music, Keri Hilson is doing her thing too.. but i don't like the message and the vibe that they spread. It's becoming more and more sexual, the focus is now mostly on the appearance, the look..Yes, I enjoy a good show with nice clothes, lightnings, choreographies, creativity.. but still, it's important to spread something positive because when you think about it, music is universal, it touches everyone, and words are strong enough to make changes. A song can be deeper than just a song!
Its nice to see that some veterans in the music industry are coming back. Toni braxton, I love her voice, but it seems like she didn't really grow, same thing for Jennifer Lopez. I mean, they are both 40 years old....Don't you have something deeper to say with all the experience in your life? Yesterday? Hold it don't drop it? lol. I'm not hating.. I've been a big fan of JLo and Toni!
Maxwell and Sade... beautiful voices and music. They didn't change their style.. I like that.
Q. If you had something to say to the youth, to anyone who wants to pursuit a career in music, what would it be?
A. My advice, if you want to pursue a career in the music business : know that a song can be way more than just a simple song.. so think about what you're writing. Get to know who you really are, stay true to yourself, be strong, Pray, believe in your dreams and practice your instrument (if you have one) !!
Q. One word to sum up 2009 and one word that comes in your head when you think of the new year?
