Julianna Joy Unpacks Pain And Power In "The Year I Lived As You": The Interview You Need To Check Out
- STAFF
- Apr 7
- 6 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
By: Staff
An explosive, emotionally-charged triumph—'The Year I Lived As You' cements Julianna Joy as a bold new voice in alt-pop, delivering powerhouse vocals and poetic depth that hit like lightning.
Julianna Joy’s new single, "The Year I Lived as You", hits hard with sharp, emotional pop that cuts through the noise. What began as a raw poem quickly evolved into a track packed with energy and edge—layering confessional lyrics over gritty, guitar-driven production that nods to early 2010s alt-pop.
Think the fearless honesty of Charli XCX meets the emotional punch of reputation-era Taylor Swift, but entirely Julianna’s own. With millions of streams already under her belt and co-signs from Zane Lowe and heavyweights like Teddy Geiger, John Ryan, and Ariza, she’s not staying underground much longer. This song doesn’t play it safe—and that’s exactly what makes it essential.
We got together with Julianna Joy for an exciting interview to delve into the stories and happenings behind the making of this and learn more about the artist in "The Cage" Music Blog and we are excited to share it with you!
Here’s how it went:
Begin Interview:
Hello Julianna Joy, we’re thrilled to have you here for this interview! We've had an amazing time exploring your music and diving into your creative journey. Now, we’re even more intrigued to get a deeper look into both your brand and your personal and professional inspirations.
Q. For fans meeting you for the first time, is Julianna Joy your real name or a stage name?
A. Julianna Joy is my first and middle name, so it can, in consideration, be considered both.
Q. What inspired you to choose Julianna Joy as your artist persona? How does it reflect the connection you want to build with your fans, and what personal significance does it hold for you?
A. Songwriting to me is how I tell an honest depiction of life to the rest of the world, one I hope is looked back on and remembered as a life that was lived and was fought for and through. I am so grateful to be alive and see the world and how it works.
Q. After listening to “The Year I Lived as You,” we were captivated by your vocals—so powerful, yet sweet and brimming with emotion. The title itself is one of the most intriguing we've come across in a while. Can you share more about the meaning behind this song, and is it based on a real-life experience?
A. It's about a realization I had. I had a friend who I found out was obsessed with me, in a negative, hateful way, and what was told to me by mutual friends about the events that went on behind clothes doors became an obsession of my own. I used to sneer and stir at things they had said about me, and one day I found myself saying the same things about them. I started to study that phenomena for myself and what it meant to me and ABOUT me. Was the acts I considered hurtful really hurtful, or did they attack my ego? If I'm doing the same things they did to me to them, am I even better? That's what I tried to explore in the song, this manic back-and-forth of denial and acceptance and defeat and betrayal to myself.
Q. How did you decide on “The Year I Lived as You” as the title for your track?
A. It just felt like the name.
Q. This song clearly captures deeply personal and raw emotions. How do you feel after performing it, whether in the studio or live? Would you describe the experience as cathartic, draining, or something else entirely? And how do you prepare yourself for the emotional impact of delivering such a heartfelt performance?
A. I feel like if they heard it, they'd know exactly what I was talking about. I hope that friend knows I forgive them, that I've actually and truly let it go, and that I have a lot empathy for what lead us here. Writing it was a confession I knew I had to own up to. I knew it was gonna hurt. It had to.
Q. Are the emotions in this song typical of what inspires you to start a project, or is your creativity sparked by a broader range of feelings and experiences?
A. Typical for this record, yes. I am really struck creatively when I feel deeply about something. I never write when I'm not.
Q. Do you view this song as a natural progression of your musical journey, or were there specific personal or creative experiences that influenced this direction?
A. I just know what I want now and what I want to say.
Q. Can you share a bit about your songwriting process? Do you typically begin with a melody, lyrics, or a specific emotion you want to capture?
A. Lyrics and melody are typically where I begin. As I said before, I only write when I need to, but I jot down ideas all the time. I don't just write for myself so those I foster those ideas until a situation calls for them.
Q. When it comes to producing your music, do you usually work in a home recording studio or collaborate with an outside producer? And for the final touch—do you handle mixing and mastering yourself, or do you bring in other experts?
A. I don't know how to produce, at least not to the quality the rest of my music is held to. I always work with an outside producer, a mixer, and someone to master it.
Q. Can you walk us through the theme of your artwork? What inspired it, and what message or feeling do you hope listeners take away from it?
A. I was inspired heavily by the idea of a "Midwestern Gothic", one that revolved around casual summer style, woods & plains, and what my friends and I used to do in high school when we were bored. The last time I was in Chicago, I found "Cowboyitis" by Baej Lambeaux - a record that completely changed my life. It was like a lightning strike and the music, though not written in Chicago nor took place there, felt so uniquely tied to how I felt in my own hometown that I wanted to make my own record feel like it too could also take place there. If we had the funds to go shoot all of the art there, we would have. Instead, Keegan Hurley, one of my greatest friends and also my creative direction for this song and the rest of my upcoming project, shot all around the valley and were very particular about the locations.
Q. As a solo artist, what are the biggest challenges you face, and how do you feel the benefits of working independently compare?
A. I control what I do, what I say, what comes out, how it comes out, when it comes out, and what it looks like. It is both the gift and the consequence of being an independent artist.
Q. Which part of the music-making process feels the most stressful for you—whether it’s the creative phase, the release date, or something else?
A. It's the production phase. I'm picky. I'm so picky.
Q. Is there a song from your early years of listening to music that you’d love to cover in the studio—one that still resonates with you and reflects who you are as an artist today?
A. Probably 'Greenlight' by Lorde. There is no other song that feels the way Greenlight does.
Q. We feel like we’ve learned so much about you from this one song, which is such a powerful way to connect with fans. But what’s one surprising fact about you that listeners might not know?
A. I don't think I'm that surprising to be honest, I think I show myself pretty dead on.
Q. The music industry can be incredibly demanding. Have you ever faced moments where you questioned continuing? What motivates you to push through during challenging times?
A. Of course I have. I think about quitting everyday but I stay put because I simply am not myself without this dream.
Q. What are the top three live music venues or festivals on your bucket list to perform at?
A. I want to perform at Lollapalooza because I've never been and it would be so cool to play a hometown show at one of the biggest festivals in the world. I also want to play the Echo in Los Angeles, and anywhere in New York.s
Q. We really appreciate you sharing so much with us! So, what’s next for you? Are there any exciting projects on the horizon that fans should be looking forward to? We’d love to help spread the word!
A. Expect music from me in the warmer months of the year. I'm also playing a show sometime in May, but I haven't been given the OK to name it.
Julianna Joy, thank you so much, we appreciate you taking the time to talk to us!
End Interview
We’re happy to have shared Julianna Joy’s exciting journey with you and uncovered such inspiring insights about their creative process.
Now, click the links below to experience their incredible work firsthand!