Interview with July Jones

After attending July Jones’s EP launch night in Hoxton back in November and being amazed by her powerful vocals and intimate song lyrics we were keen to catch up with her on what inspires her, her love life (of course – we’re nosy like that) and what’s next for this rising star.

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Read all about her coming out story in our interview below.

1. We were totally blown away by your performance last night…. at what age did you discover you had musical talent?

Thank you so much. I was encouraged by my parents at the age 6 to go to a music school, where I started out with classical music. I studied theory, piano, and flute. Then a short time after that, I noticed my voice was stronger than other schoolmates and I told my parents about it, so at the age of 11 I started taking singing lessons, and that’s when I found out that music is the purpose of my life, shortly after that I got signed to a record label where I started writing and working on my first album.

2. Do you play any instruments, or just stick to singing?

I’m classically trained in piano and flute. I do love bass at the moment as well. Musical instruments and understanding music is a big part of my life, I feel like as a songwriter that’s a necessity really.

3. We loved the vibes of your music, how would you sum up your sound in three words?

Thank you very much! That’s the biggest compliment you can give me actually! A lot of people ask me that, it’s a mix of a modern commercial synth sound mixed with soul music. So I’d sum it up as modern soul. The sound of my music is the most important thing for me, I feel like creating something that doesn’t exist out there yet is what makes you a great artist.

4. Are there any artists that inspire your music and who are you listening to at the moment?

Definitely! A lot of them actually! I am definitely in love with Jessie Ware, Banks, NAO, Sia, Tove Lo, and strong female artist with a similar sound to mine.

5. You seem very comfortable across your social media about your sexuality, will you tell us a little about your coming out experience?

Thank you! It was and still is a really long and difficult road for me. I am very open about it because I feel like in Europe (apart from London), it’s still a bit of an uncomfortable topic sometimes. It took me a long time to feel comfortable in my own skin and start accepting who I am.

I fell in love with my girlfriend at the age of 16 and was so embarrassed by it for years, it was a ridiculously hard topic for me, but then I went to the USA to finish high school and I started learning all about LGBT and saw how people were really open about it, so I felt like it was my responsibility to bring that message back to my country.

6. A shout out to your support acts, we thought they rocked too. If you could support any artist, who would you choose?

My god, yes a big shout out to my rocking female support acts: Jayana, Becky Arundel and Ina Reni, they rocked the stage. If I could support an artist at this moment, that would definitely be Jessie Ware.

7. What’s next? Do you have any more gigs coming up?

We’ve just played our final gig yesterday at The Bedford. For the end of the year, we have a Christmas and new year’s eve gig left, but I am just talking to Notting Hill Arts Club about a headlining show in January and we have KOKO coming up in August which is very exciting. The dates will be posted on julyjones.com

8. It’s clear that you’re into fashion, where do you like to shop and who inspires your style?

Yes, my god, fashion is a BIG thing for me. I am very determined that I will push my style and what I see for myself as an artist in 2017 to a whole new level. I am very into a strict, black, white and gold military-style fashion.

I don’t really like to define where I shop, if pieces work together it could even be my grandma’s wardrobe.

9. What’s the last text on your phone?

Trust me, you don’t wanna know.

10. If you could have any superpower what would it be and why?

If I could have a superpower I would definitely want to have some sort of a super-brain for science. I know, sounds so boring, but how cool would it be to be smarter than everyone else and save and build new things.

10. Draw us your finest Nonchalant doodle?

I know, I know, I’m such a talented painter. The box supposedly represents us, people. How we always show just one side of us and talk about how great our lives are, but inside there’s always something that hunts us, which leads to tears.

I am so sorry for this bad drawing 🙂

JulyDrawing

11. If your house was burning down and you could only save one thing, what would it be?

If my house was burning down I’d definitely save my partner.

12. Do you ever venture out into the Lesbian scene in London? If so, what do you think?

Yes, I definitely do, even though I am terrified by chatting up a girl. Completely terrified. But my girlfriend and I are pushing into it very much.

13. If there was a magic telephone that you could call yourself when you were 15, what advice would you give?

Do not sign a contract with a record label. Believe in yourself and believe in your talent, you are the talented person, not people giving you the money, and have patience, it won’t happen tomorrow.

14. What’s your best piece of advice for other women and girls that would like to get into singing?

Definitely don’t just think about your voice and over singing, think about your message and sound of music. Don’t be afraid to fit the norm of being a ladylike girl, be who you are.

15. Lastly, where can people buy your EP?

We’ve released the physical EP’s on the night, and they’re still available on www.julyjones.com. Digitally we’re going to release single by single, starting in 2017.

Thanks, July, we look forward to hearing more from you.

Nonchalant xx

If you would like to read more interviews like this, why not check out the other inspiring women we have interviewed? You won’t regret it.

Last Updated on 21st December 2022 by Nonchalant Magazine

Nonchalant Magazine
Nonchalant Magazine

This article was written by one of our creative team writers here at Nonchalant Magazine.