Julia Holter

Born: 1984
Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
Genre: Chamber Pop, Baroque Pop, Art Pop
Years Active: 2007 -
Real Name: Julia Holter
Meaning of the Name:
Way of Working: Singular vision

Essential Releases

Loud City
Song (2013)

Experimental art pop.

Have You in
My Wilderness (2015)

Baroque and ethereal concept album.

Aviary (2018)

Experimental work with broad range and depth.

Julia Holter meticulously bridges the gap between classic symphonies and modern electronica. She gives listeners a handheld tour around the world of academic composition, pulling aside the curtain to reveal centuries of knowledge forbidden to the uniniated.

The fine arts can nourish the mind but rarely set the charts on fire. Holter, who has a Master's degree in music from CalArts, understands this. Her ear for a catchy pop song separates her from other serious composers, and her best work blends together the strenghths of both.

Recording on the West Coast since the early 2010s, Holter combines orchestral instrumentation and jazzy percussion with electronic elements, such as synthesisers, to create her own unique sound. She uses studio techniques to mimic a full orchestra; for instance, her fifth album, Aviary, features only seven musicians, who create the sound of near-complete woodwind and string sections.

Her music is undoubtedly informed by a rich tradition but retains key elements of pop, such as verse-chorus-verse structures, shorter lengths, and universal themes of love and relationships, making it accessible to a larger audience.

Holter's revelatory work widens the eyes of music lovers and imbues the symphony with a vibrant, human heart. She's an important artist for anyone seeking to explore how pop music can benefit from a classically-trained ear.

Skills

*This is a work in progress. Values are subjective.

Emotional Impact

i Does it connect with the heart? What does it make you feel and how much of it?

60

Mental Impact

i Does it connect with the head? Social issues, interesting observations, clever lyrics, similies etc.

85

Originality

i Are they unique? Did they break new ground, use new techniques or create new genres.

70

Artistry

i Using creativity and imagination to present themselves in a unique way. Example, Wu-Tang Clan as Shaolin and Marvel characters etc.

55

Authenticity

i Do they really mean what they say? Is it autobiographical, personal?

30

Live

i Stage presence, working the crowd, performance. Miming, forgetting lyrics reduce this.

85

Production

i Studio techniques. More important for electronic music including hip hop.

80

Musicianship

i Their ability to play individually and as a group. Technical skills. DJing. Freestyling for hip hop.

95

Singing

i Technical attributes.

86

Songwriting

i Storytelling. Cohesive themes. Is the song about something? Stan by Eminem is an example of excellent songwriting.

85

Danceability

i Does it make you move? Do you tap your foot, nod your head or move your whole body?

25

Fun

i Is listening to it a good time? Are the lyrics funny? Depressing themes lowers value.

40

Consistency

i Have they put out good music across their careers. Two good albums and 5 band ones will reduce this value.

65

Range

i Fast, slow, ballads, party jams. Do they go beyond their own genre?

65

Cool

i Laid-back, icy detachment, unflustered.

55

Charisma

i Factors include appearance, force of personality. Elvis making people faint etc.

40

Commercial & Critical Success

Awards

Certifications

Charts

Critics >>>

• Mojo: Ekstasis - Best Albums of 2012: #9
• Mojo: Have You In My Wilderness - Best Albums of 2015: #4
• Q: Have You In My Wilderness - Best Albums of 2015: #2
• The Guardian: Have You In My Wilderness - Best Albums of 2015: #4
• The Wire: Ekstasis - Best Albums of 2012: #8
• The Wire: Loud City Music - Best Albums of 2013: #1
• The Wire: Have You In My Wilderness - Best Albums of 2015: #4
• Uncut: Have You In My Wilderness - Best Albums of 2015: #1

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• Weyes Blood
• Jenny Hval
• Kate Bush
• Joanna Newsom

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