Listen to ‘rockstar’ HERE
Watch the video HERE
Rising Pōneke-based indie-pop/folk artist Julia Belle has today released her captivating and catchy new single ‘rockstar’!
An empowering love letter to ‘sad girl’ music, through folk-infused acoustic guitars, a gentle rhythm section, and tongue-in-cheek songwriting - “you’re so classic rock and I’m just too pop-culture” - ‘rockstar’ offers a delicate, playful and defiant antidote to the misogyny and hypocrisy faced by wāhine in pop.
“The song stemmed from an interaction where a friend made me watch a 14 minute video of a rock band’s drummer,” says Julia. “After making a joke about making them watch Taylor Swift’s ‘All Too Well’ short film, the conversation veered very nasty and they made a comment about how women can’t make good music.”
Reminiscent of the aforementioned world-star’s early sound, ‘rockstar’ skillfully manages to hint at pop-icon influences while showcasing Julia’s unique sound that has garnered her in playlists such as Fresh Finds Spotify and Apple New Music Daily, and set her apart early on in her career. In late 2020, Julia won a competition run by Toby Lloyd (Stan Walker, Hollie Smith, Shapeshifter) by submitting a demo of what would become her debut single ‘no way i can sleep’, completed with the celebrated producer.
Now, ‘rockstar’ is an exciting continuation of the duo’s creative friendship. Produced and mixed by Toby at Tiny Triumph Recordings in Johnsonville, the single was then mastered by Robin Schmidt.
“I’ve always been told that my music is too sad and too slow, so this song is also a playful jab at that, asking: would you like me better as a rockstar?”
Also released today is a sparkly new music video, made alongside Taylor Nixon, which showcases Julia performing as her true self - regardless of what people say.
A defiant picture of girl power, and an artist coming into her own, ‘rockstar’ will no doubt win over fans across the motu - proving the rising star one to watch!