17-year-old JULES IS DEAD, an Ontario native, is taking over the emo/punk world with their explosive vocals and hard-to-miss angst. Along with this, Jules has signed a record deal through a joint venture partnership between Atlantic Records and TAG Music.
With inspirations like Bikini Kill and Citizen, the singer has worked on a debut project confronting issues such as depression’s paralysis to men’s misuse of authority and women’s subjection, some ideas that their generation knows all too well. Writing riveting lyrics like “I gave you every last drop of blood / Now you’ll nеver see me again” and “For you, I’d crash into hell / But would you do the same?”, Jules has vibrantly used the social media platform TikTok to promote their singing/songwriting, covering bands ranging from Nirvana to My Chemical Romance, while also sharing some of their own creative junctions.
Below is an intimate interview with Jules.
Jules released their first single “Red Is My Favorite Color” on April 21. Listen to it below.
Though we’ve only seen one released song from you, your style is very diverse and not often heard in the generic poppy-radio genre, who are your biggest musical influences recently and of all time?
Recently I’ve been listening to a lot of Jack Off Jill and Crawlers, all time is definitely AFI.
Do you feel as though your music style has changed from when you first started your music journey? For those who haven’t heard your music before, how could you explain your style in a nutshell?
It definitely has changed, I used to be really into bedroom pop and tried to do it until I felt like it didn’t fit who I was anymore. I’d explain my current style as a collision of riot grrrl, emo, and pop punk.
You signed a joint venture partnership between Atlantic Records and TAG Music just recently in March of 2023. How did that moment feel to you, especially as someone who is POC and only 17-years-old?
That moment primarily felt reassuring. I’m painfully aware of how few POC artists receive recognition in this genre and I am so grateful to be where I am. It felt like every racist or homophobic hate comment I received was proven wrong.
What ideas do you think you confront/write about the most when it comes to songwriting and making music?
I often write about feminism and not being heard simply because of my gender because it’s a great opportunity for me to vent about it and hopefully for other people in similar situations to have a voice. I also write a lot about specific people and my mental state.
You used social media early on in your career in order to gain a following and connect with fans. Do you feel like connecting with fans via social media is an important part of engaging as an artist?
I do one hundred percent. I do live streams often and it’s one of the most rewarding things for me. I get to talk to tons of people and connect over our shared music taste and since the song has been out, it’s been great getting to know how people feel about it and answering questions they ask about it or the recording process and my story as an artist.
Your debut song “Red Is My Favorite Color” was released in April. When can fans expect new music? How might it be similar/different to what your debut was?
Fans can expect new music within the next few months and while the angst will still be there, it’s a very political song. The new track is about a lot of what’s happening in the States right now where groups are losing their rights to their bodies or to be safe. This song is about feeling helpless and angry and screaming about it.
If you had to share one last thing with us today, what would that be?
Find your group of people. I know everyone says it, but for me as an artist and as a friend, finding the right group of people who support me and who I can support is one thing I wouldn’t trade for the world. Especially as everything for me has been so busy and moving so quickly, I’m so thankful for my friends and my team as pillars I can rely on to either help me finish a song or to pause everything for two hours and relax while watching a movie. I definitely wouldn’t be where I am without them.
JULES IS DEAD will continue to uplift their generation’s ears with relatable and scream-in-your-room music, and their debut song “Red Is My Favorite Color” can be found on all streaming platforms.
