Center Stage with Julia Klot
Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter and pianist Julia Klot talks about their newest EP "Center Stage" and much more!
Writing the song “Center Stage” was a moment of honesty and clarity for me– where I thought to myself, “Wow, I’ve been lying to myself. I do want to do this as a career, this is my dream and my passion.” - Julia Klot
Mustard has observed that when an human gets the opportunity to do something they genuinely enjoy it can provide a breakthrough. That breakthrough may not be instant as the human develops their craft but doing that activity, whatever it may be, will bring them clarity. Clarity can lead to realizations that you are not meant to work an office job or in the retail industry. You are meant for more.
For Julia Klot, a Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter and pianist, that clarity came to them while writing the title track of their new EP Center Stage. As they were writing this song they came to the realization that: being a musician is their passion. You can hear that passion and love as you listen to each track of Center Stage. Julia Klot was destined for this and it shows in their work.
In our interview below you will get a chance to better know Julia Klot. Together we discuss their early life, Brooklyn New York, Center Stage, and so much more. You can check it out below!
1. Mustard is grateful and appreciative to have you join them at Music Shelf. How are you doing today?
Hi Mustard! Thank you so much for having me :) I am doing well, excited to chat about all things music.
2. Mustard has observed that you began studying music at age six through piano lessons. Can you recall what these early experiences were like?
I was very lucky to have a great piano teacher growing up- her name is Amy and she’s such a kind, enthusiastic, music loving soul. She made piano lessons super fun, and I think that really encouraged me to practice and keep going. She even incorporated some fun songwriting exercises- I remember writing a short little song when I was 8 about loving candy!
3. Younger humans are sometimes asked if they know what they want to be when they grow up. Did Julia Klot always know they wanted to be a songwriter and musician?
I think I started to realize that I wanted to be a songwriter and musician around age 10. That’s when I started writing songs very frequently, began performing my music, and taking voice lessons. My dad was very supportive and for my 11th birthday booked some studio time for me to record demos. This was some of the most fun I had with my music and it led me to recording my first album shortly after. I started performing around age 10, and loved the feeling of playing to an audience. It was around this time that I realized I wanted to do this forever.
4. Mustard has also observed that you grew up in Brooklyn. How has your environment helped inspire you creatively and personally?
Ah, yes! I love Brooklyn so much that I named an album after it :) I was very lucky to grow up in a neighborhood that felt very much like a community, so I have lots of nice memories of the people in my building, the friends who lived up and down the street from me, and all the fun days I spent running, walking, biking, and playing around Prospect Park. I think the overall vibe of people in my neighborhood was very creative– lots of artists in different forms. I’m sure that inspired and encouraged my own artistry!
5. As a condiment who does not leave the bodega often they wonder if you have a favorite spot to go in Brooklyn?
Mustard, I will have to get you out of the bodega sometime so you can try Terrace Bagels and Gnarly Eats! Although, I’m not sure how well Mustard goes with bagels. But seriously, I love a toasted cinnamon raisin bagel with butter from Terrace Bagels. And Gnarly Eats is this little hole in the wall shop that serves the best creative burgers and sandwiches I’ve ever tasted.
6. Outside of Brooklyn who (or what) influences Julia Klot?
My life experiences mostly! Music and people too. Most of my songs I write about things that have happened to me, and others are inspired by my fascination with people in my life and what they’re all about. The music I listen to inspires lyrical ideas for me, and stylistically influences my writing.
7. Mustard is curious: what key elements are necessary in crafting a Julia Klot song? Could you share more about your creative process? How do you add pizazz to your work?
Fun piano licks are an essential! I love to start my writing process at the piano, and it’s always an exciting challenge for me to add my touch of pizzazz through melodically captivating riffs, cool chord voicings, and intricate bass lines. Once I come up with a chord progression I like, I’ll start figuring out the melody and the lyrics will start to flow.
8. Your music has been compared to the likes of Sara Bareilles, Norah Jones, and Elton John. What album from each would you consider essential listening?
My all time favorite Sara Bareilles album is The Blessed Unrest, the most influential Norah Jones album for me is “The Fall”, and an Elton John essential would have to be “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road”.
9. On Instagram your chat channel is called "Klottie Hotties." How does one become a Klottie Hottie?
One simple qualification: You like to listen to and support my music! That automatically makes you both a Klottie and a Hottie.
10. 2013 marked the release of your debut single "Christmastime." What does the Christmas season mean to you?
Oh, goodness… This song is my personal ghost of Christmas past that always comes back to haunt me. ‘Christmastime’ has become somewhat of a running joke for me, because I’ve tried to delete it from my library but am unable to since I recorded it with a label. However, the actual Christmas season itself is a magical, nostalgic time. I love giving gifts, shopping at holiday markets, tree decorating, baking, and all the pretty winter lights in the city.
11. Can you confirm that Santa Clause has a naughty and nice list? How does a human end up on this list?
I cannot confirm, but to be fair… I think everyone is capable of being both naughty and nice so if Santa is really checking twice, there might be a name or two in both columns
12. You followed up this release with your self-titled debut album. Could you share what it was like to put this project together?
Recording my debut album was a time of many musical firsts for me. It was my first time working closely with a producer, sitting in on arranging and pre-production sessions, tracking piano and vocals, playing with a live band, and learning how to plan an album release. It was fun, cathartic, nerve-wracking, and fulfilling. The experience introduced me to my voice teacher Lola Johnson and guitar teacher Gabe Cummins who both helped me grow as an instrumentalist, musician, and songwriter during my middle and high school years. I accredit a lot of my songwriting, arranging, production, and recording artist skills to this formative experience. I don’t think I would be as confident about my current releases as I am without this time!
13. Five years later you released your sophomore album titled "Brooklyn." We spoke earlier about Brooklyn. Would you say this album was shaped by your experiences in Brooklyn? How did you grow creatively during this time?
While the song itself is, my album “Brooklyn” is not just inspired by Brooklyn, but more so by the bittersweet experience of leaving childhood behind and entering adulthood. I wrote most of the songs on this album in my first year of college, which was a very transitional time. I chose to name the album after my song “Brooklyn” because it felt representative of the themes of the album- nostalgia, change, yearning for home.
14. Mustard wonders if you can confirm if it was a ghost? or a voice speaking to you?
It was probably just a voice. My own voice, which likes to tell me many things when I never asked in the first place.
15. Mustard would like to congratulate you on the release of your sophomore EP "Center Stage." When did you first begin working on this project?
Thank you Mustard! The Center Stage EP is very special to me. The first song I wrote off the EP was “Forget” in 2020. It felt different from any other songs I’d written- from the main piano part to the funky, sassy tone. The second song I wrote on the EP was “Boxing Gloves” a year later- which is actually my favorite song I’ve ever written. I knew this was the next single after writing the main piano lick that starts the song. I worked with a new producer Matt Castello to help me build the new jazzy pop sound I was looking for. While I got ready to release Boxing Gloves as a single, I wrote “Center Stage” and “Lie” back to back. They coincidentally ended up being a perfect fit for the new sound. I knew as soon as I finished writing them that I wanted them to exist in the same world as Boxing Gloves and Forget. And thus began the recording process of the other three songs with my two co-producers, Britney DiTocco and Nick Sochan!
16. The four songs on this EP take listeners on a journey through self-discovery along with chasing your dreams. What did Julia Klot learn about themselves during the process of recording this EP?
The main thing I learned in the writing and recording process is acceptance. For so long, I thought I would never be a successful music artist unless I dropped everything to dedicate my whole life to it. Because of this belief, I started to stifle my desire to actively grow my fan base as a singer songwriter and performer. I told myself it was unachievable, so therefore I shouldn’t want it. Writing the song “Center Stage” was a moment of honesty and clarity for me– where I thought to myself, “Wow, I’ve been lying to myself. I do want to do this as a career, this is my dream and my passion.” Through writing the song, I accepted that music is my calling, it is my dream, it is what I want to do for the rest of my life, and I will do everything I can to make it a reality and grow as an artist.
17. As a condiment Mustard is curious: how does one get out of their head? How does Julia Klot keep away negative thoughts?
You know Mustard, you think I’d have the answers as a non-condiment but I’m not sure I do! I try my best to maintain a positive mentality, but I’m only human. I tend to be a people pleaser so I often consider others before myself which is both a positive and a downfall. Lately, I’ve been trying to get out of my head by not worrying so much about how other people perceive me. I’m doing my best and I think that counts for something!
18. Standing up for yourself is easier said than done. What advice does Julia Klot have for anyone who may be struggling to stand up for themselves?
It’s so hard! The people pleaser within me hates conflict, confrontation, admitting my feelings to people, and especially telling other people when they have hurt me. My advice is to be honest with yourself first, and accept your feelings- don’t try to push them down or hope that things will get better if you just ignore it and “move on”. Accept, and then consider your next step– whether that be a conversation, drawing a boundary, or removing yourself from a situation.
19. A human gets the opportunity to see Julia Klot perform. What five words best describe your live performances? Does Julia Klot have a pre or post show routine?
Fun, Comedic, Deep, Captivating, Authentic! My pre-show routine is chugging pineapple juice and I stand by this ever since I performed with a very sore throat and the pineapple juice rejuvenated my vocal chords for the night. Post show, I love to go out with friends that attended for food and drinks!
19. What is on the horizon for Julia Klot?
More music!! Woo! I have several things in the works for the next few months. Won’t give too many details, but it includes some new releases, videos, and a collaboration with someone very near and dear to me.
20. Where can readers listen to your music?
Everywhere you please! My music is out on all streaming platforms, with the twomost popular streaming services being Spotify and Apple Music. I just released anew music video for my song “Center Stage” which is on my YouTube channel! Mysong “Lie” has a recent music video as well, it’s both funky and funny. Check it out if you please and definitely give a listen to my new EP “Center Stage”!!
Music Shelf with Mustard is a publication that interviews independent musicians from all across the globe. It is read in 44 states and 44 countries. Check out previous interviews here.
Music Shelf with Mustard originally began in early 2021. Inspired by independent musicians on social media application TikTok Mustard knew they had to do something to help share their music. Shortly after Music Shelf with Mustard was born. Its goal is to highlight independent artists from all across the globe. Mustard appreciates you taking the time out to read this interview.
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