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Julia Jacklin

November 22, 2016

Julia Jacklin thought she’d be a social worker. Growing up in the Blue Mountains to a family of teachers, Jacklin discovered an avenue to art at the age of 10, thanks to an unlikely source: Britney Spears. Jacklin chanced upon a documentary about the pop star while on family holiday. “By the time Britney was 12 she’d achieved a lot,” says Jacklin.”I remember thinking, ‘Shit, what have I done with my life? I haven’t achieved anything.’ So I was like, ‘Mum, as soon as we get home from this holiday I need to go to singing lessons.’ Now living in a garage in Glebe and working a day job on a factory production line making essential oils, the 25-year old found time to hone her craft – to examine her turns of phrase, to observe the stretching of her friendship circles, to wonder who she was and who she might become. That document is Jacklin’s masterful debut album, Don’t Let The Kids Win - an intimate examination of a life still being lived.

Tell us a little bit about yourself and what you do. My name is Julia Jacklin and I’m currently a full time musician.

What are some recent, upcoming or current projects you are working on? I just released my first album for my solo project a couple of weeks ago, “Don’t Let the Kids Win” which I’m currently touring. I also play in a band called Phantastic Ferniture. We are currently working on our debut album.  

What are you currently watching? Nothing really. Just losing myself in youtube during moments of boredom in the tour van.

What is one of the bigger challenges you and/or other musicians are struggling with these days and how do you see it developing? I think just figuring out how to adapt to the changing industry. No one seems to know exactly what’s going on. Which is equally exciting and terrifying.

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Julia JacklinHow did your interest in music begin? I think it probably started with Doris Day musicals. I was very into Calamity Jane when I was a kid. I knew all the songs.

How has living in Glebe affected your music? I developed my songwriting at the Little Guy open mic night on Glebe Point Rd. A group of friends would go every Tuesday night and try out new songs. Also there’s a few bars which I used to play at every week with some old bands. Learnt how to be a musician in Glebe really.

If you had to explain your music to a stranger, what would you say? I’d say well if you’re interested google it and tell me!

What kinds of music/what musicians are influencing your work right now? Grimes – Art Angels, Big Thief – Masterpiece, Solange- A Seat at the Table.

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Julia Jacklin

What have been some of your favorite shows you’ve attended? Dolly Parton at Hope Estate, Willy Mason at the Gasoline Pony, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds at the Enmore Theatre. All in Australia.

What is your snack/beverage of choice when recording? Salsa and chips, pickles, Stout.

What do you do when you’re not working on music? I write, read, hang out with my friends, watch Dawsons Creek with my brother, try and learn how to box, try to work on my Spanish.

What are you really excited about right now? I’m really excited about the show I’m going to be playing tonight at KOKO in London. We’ve been touring with Whitney for a couple of weeks and this is our last one in England and it’s the biggest. Also it’s my tour manager/best friends birthday so it’s going to be a good night.

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Julia Jacklin

If you hadn’t become a musician, what do you think you’d be doing? I studied Social Policy so hopefully something in that field.

What are you listening to right now? I’m listening to Solanges new record. It’s so great.

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Julia Jacklin

Can you share one of the best or worst reactions you have gotten as a result of your music? One time years ago I was playing a nylon string guitar singing folk tunes in the corner of a bar. Someone came up to me and said that my playing sounded like ‘nails on a chalk board’. So that was nice.

Go-to karaoke song? Drift Away – Dobie Gray