13. Julia HolterAviary

Julia Holter is a musician I really enjoy. The main thing about this album is the risk of it. I thought it was really brave to compose this overall piece coming off the back of an album that was all song-structured. I see albums as one compositional piece, one overriding story. She was really working between the lines. I just respect that bravery. As I move into song it’s really important that I begin to understand other forms of song. So I went out to see performances, and I saw her perform with the band. It was really interesting to see how they all interact as it’s quite different to being on a computer. It is important for me to step out of my own world constantly and learn. Her work is very fluid.

In my last album I collaborated more, added new ideas, and that fluidity sparked something different in my work. To do that alone regularly is incredibly hard, so I really enjoyed that experience. I used to want to just write music by myself, I didn’t like to collaborate that often. But I have found it really rewarding and exciting. It is definitely something I will take forward into new records. I feel collaboration doesn’t just happen in practice but also in conversation. I have people who I haven’t actually written music with, but the conversations that I have had have been a part of the work. I’ve learned that mutual appreciation and understanding is key to the success of the outcome.