She's a Kiwi in NYC - by way of Ozland - and after an extended break from recording, Julia Darling is back with a new album that will surely delight the fans that have been turning out in droves at the Rockwood these past few years. Ahead of her album release at Stage 2 on Friday, Indie Sounds caught up with her to get the back story.
Photo by Jeff Hill
Indie Sounds: So, you have a new album called Everything That Has Happened Since Then. What is the story behind the title?
Julia Darling: It's very literal - Everything That Has Happened Since The Last Record - musically and emotionally. The album was written and produced over six years, so there was no easy way of summing it up.
IS: And tell us about making the album - where it was recorded, and who was involved?
Julia: We recorded at Ken Rich's studio, Grand Street Recording, and Andrew Sherman (who lived upstairs) came down to co-produce - so it felt like the old days. Sherman got the Prague symphony orchestra on the album, and we had Tracy Bonham, Tim Luntzel, Dan Rieser, and John Andrews - just to name a few. My brother, Jon Darling, sang a lot of the back-up vocals, too. It was really a "drop by and play what you like" - and these guys a pros ... they don't need to be told what to do.
Download Everything That Has Happened Since Then at iTunes.
IS: This is your first release since your self-titled album in 2003. Why the long wait? Did it just take that long, or were you busy with other things?
Julia: I spent the latter part of my 20s partying pretty hard and pretty much ruined my voice for a few years. Writing and singing was a drag and I felt like a major disappointment - and that took a while to crawl back from. I would dread going into the studio to work because I had no idea what I sounded like, or whether the songs were relevant after so much time. Ken and Andrew were super patient and supportive and the record sounds better than the last.
IS: You have a release party coming up - what's the plan, and what should people expect?
Julia: It's on Friday this week, the 28th, at Rockwood Music Hall, Stage 2. Playing the big stage at Rockwood naturally brings out the best in the band. We have a guest horn player and I'll be pimped out in a slutty dress.
IS: Is it a digital only release, or will you be producing physical CDs?
Julia: I'm doing both, only because I'm from the CD generation and I still like to see/hold something before I burn it and throw it away.
IS: Beyond promo of the album, what's next for Julia Darling?
Julia: I'm full-time at Hunter College now, Im a junior, majoring in Psych. I never went to college and I figured I'd try my hand at something academic. I'm pretty glad I waited because as an older student you cant help but be a total nerd.
I also have my clothing line "Darling Or Die" - check it out @ www.darlingordie.com. I usually do custom cocktail dresses for women who want that romantic rock'n'roll vibe. I'm always making things last minute to wear onstage which is a bit panicky, but it works out.
Also, I dont want to wait six years to make another album, so a follow-up is at the top of my list.
Comments