Conversations with Jules

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jules.

Hi Jules, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
When I was growing up, music was my safe place, and it has continued to be for as long as I can remember. I started singing around the age of 5 years old, and when I was turning 6, I begged my parents for a guitar. Spoiled, I know.

They agreed to this on one condition: as long as I was serious about the commitment it took to learn the instrument, they’d invest. They bought a bright blue Daisy Rock guitar for my 6th birthday, and I played that thing until I broke half the strings. Of course, I didn’t know how to play yet, but when I was 8 years old, my parents bought me a package of guitar lessons at our local music shop and I began my serious journey on guitar then. Fast forward to getting vocal lessons a few years later, and by 10 years old I was writing my own songs. By 12, my voice coach Nicki Park began allowing me to sing on her sets at local restaurants and wine bars. By 13 years old, my then and current mentor Lee Perreira very graciously allowed me to stand in on his sets, too.

By 15, I could hold my own 3 hours gigs. Of course, my parents were still driving me around at this point, I wasn’t cool (or legal) enough to drive yet. By this time I had released my EP Marvelous Misconceptions, along with a single called Something’s Different. At age 15, NBC’s The Voice reached out to me and asked if I’d be interested in auditioning for their upcoming season 18 of the show. Mom, Dad, and I flew out to Burbank, CA and I made it past the first round of auditions. I made it through all the auditioning processes afterward and sang Cage the Elephant’s “Ain’t No Rest For the Wicked” for my Blind audition. Kelly Clarkson and Blake Shelton both turned their chairs, but I chose Kelly’s team. I got sent home after the next round. Although it was extremely difficult for me, I now know how much I’ve grown as a person and musician since then.

All through that time I was still writing my own songs and finally was able to record again when I was 17. Mom and I flew to Chattanooga, Tennessee to meet my new producer Dran Lewis in 2020. I’ve continued to release singles recorded by Dran ever since. My most recent single called “Who I Am” was released almost a month ago in January of this year, and I’m even headed out to TN this spring to lay down some new tracks to be released later this year! As I’m now 19, I’ve been living in Downtown Phoenix attending ASU’s Popular Music Program. I’ve been learning so much about collaborating with other musicians and about diving into different ways I can create/hone my sound. I’m so grateful to be in the position I am in today and am so excited about the path aligned ahead.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Although I am very lucky to be where I am today, when I started, I learned very quickly how long the road to my version of success will be. One of the most popular ways to make money as a working musician is to play restaurant gigs. I really enjoyed playing these from the ages of 12-14, but it quickly became a job instead of a passion. I’ve heard many musicians talk about how rigorous this lifestyle is, and then, I was just a teenager being driven around by my parents at that time. When I started playing shows alone, I began to understand the late nights and strenuous aspects of these shows.

I have major respect for the musicians who make their living playing gigs, as there is so much more that goes into it than what you see from the outside looking in. During the pandemic, it was extremely difficult to book shows because of all the health restrictions, and although those began to lift, it was still very difficult to get work from gigs for a long while. Another struggle along the way would be coming up as an independent musician and knowing how to brand and promote yourself. I’ve learned a lot over the years about how important the tie between a musician’s sound, their social media, what they look like, and how they present themselves both live and on social media truly is. Posting and sharing on TikTok, Instagram, or YouTube is crucial to the continued growth of my reach. It’s a constant learning experience, but definitely very rewarding.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a professional singer/songwriter performer. I am mainly specialized in songwriting, but I have a long record of performing. I’m most proud of the growth I’ve made over the last several years in my sound and in my writing.

I think it shows exponentially in my music and I’m super grateful for those who’ve listened to my songs or have followed me since day 1. I think my sound is what sets me apart from other musicians. Everyone has their own lane, and I’m working to really hone mine while I’m in school learning how to develop my musicianship.

Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
People can support me by following me on my social media and streaming my music!

All of my music is released on all platforms, so folks can find me everywhere. Y’all can see any upcoming shows I have posted on my instagram, it’d be great to meet new faces this year!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.heyjuleshere.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heyjuleshere/
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1myLf0KbtmoDVmoIcByIaD?si=PZh_pui7SimabntLVHJQSA
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/heyjuleshere?lang=en
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCO-63t_dsUdE2tRcJMbYtgg
• Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/jules/1442008633
• Other: https://linktr.ee/heyjuleshere

Image Credits
John Dooley and Anton Orleans