We recently connected with Julia Larkin and have shared our conversation below.

Julia, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

When I was around 8 years old, my dad bought me my first guitar and started putting me in guitar lessons. I took guitar lessons for about 7-8 years. Throughout that time, I was doing any and all talent shows or performances offered at my middle and high schools. I also did a few hometown gigs at the age of 16. When it began time to start thinking about college, I really wanted to go to school for music. Unfortunately, I didn’t think it was realistic at the time and wanted something that would be more financially stable. I also didn’t think that I was “good enough” at the time to seriously make it. It’s sad to think about being so young and thinking like that. I wound up choosing to become a Dental Hygiene and put music on the back burner. Throughout college, I’d pick up the guitar here and there, wrote a couple songs, but wasn’t doing it seriously. Fast forward to 2 years into my Dental Hygiene career, I found myself feeling really unfulfilled and unsatisfied with my life. Music was always in the back of my mind. It was something I’ve always wanted to pursue. This was the turning point for me where I felt like I couldn’t live another day not doing what I felt I’m meant to do. I started doing research and it was also around this time that I learned about Nashville and started listening to country music. I grew up listening to classic rock, 90s alternative rock, and some pop music. The most country music I ever listened to was Taylor Swift, which has inspired me a lot. From then on, I knew what I wanted and decided I needed to try, because life is too short not to. I think it’s also important to mention how I got married to my incredibly supportive husband who is now a Navy veteran. After many sleepless nights contemplating, I had a discussion with my husband at 2am one night about my desire to move to Nashville. He was unable to move from where he was stationed, so it was something I had to do alone. This meant we would have to be long distance for over a year until he separated from the military and could eventually move to Nashville with me. After I made my mind up in the early spring of 2021, I started doing open mics every week to start getting comfortable performing again. I hadn’t performed in about 7-8 years at that point. I also booked a few gigs that summer in Virginia Beach where I was living before the move to Nashville. Now, a year and a half later settled in Nashville, I wouldn’t change a thing. It was the best decision I’ve ever made.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Moving to Nashville, I only knew one person who was a friend of a friend. He introduced me to a couple of people and give me a couple points of advice. When I was looking for a roommate, I also became friends with a singer songwriter. She introduced me to her group who have become my friends and co-writers today. I would spend a lot of time networking, checking out venues, writers rounds, and shows just trying to learn and meet as many people as possible. I was going into an industry I truly knew nothing about. It was extremely overwhelming but exciting at the same time. I also started co-writing for the first time. That was an interesting experience because I’ve only ever written alone. Co-writing is cool because you can learn so much from other people. People see different perspectives you might not have thought about otherwise that can truly transform a song. With all the co-writing, I was also reaching out to venues and rounds to take any opportunity to perform that I could find. This was very difficult for me because I had such anxiety and stage fright. When you’re a teenager, you don’t really think about stuff too much or worry about how you look/sound. As time went on, it got easier. I could feel my confidence building with each performance. I also started taking voice lessons to help train my voice and get it to where I need it. The voice is like a muscle, it needs to be worked out and treated properly. As the months went on, I could see myself getting better. I also started booking better gigs and venues. Last year I wound up playing The Listening Room Cafe, which is a very reputable venue, twice and one of the shows was sold out. This was a huge accomplishment for me. I also started working on music and recording songs. I just put out my first single this year. I’m just really proud of how far I’ve come and how hard I’ve worked. Nothings impossible if you truly want something badly enough. I’ve faced a lot of obstacles and I’m sure will face more, but I’ve overcome each one. I’m excited for what the future brings and to be able to put more music out in the world for people to hear.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

The best way people can support artists is by liking, following, and sharing their music. As an independent artist, I’m doing all of the marketing and everything myself. It’s hard starting out because you have such a small audience. When people are sharing your music, it gives it an opportunity to grow listeners and fans. There is also a huge disparity in radio play for female country artists in comparison to male country artists. Female artists have been ignored for years. It’s been a constant struggle and something that needs to change. There is definitely an audience for women in country music, we just aren’t given as much of a chance as men are.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is being able to do create something I love some much and share it with people. It’s just really cool to be so vulnerable with people and have them be so perceptive to my music. Music is my way to express myself, connect, and relate with people, which I think is a beautiful thing.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.julialarkinmusic.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/julialarkinmusic/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZFFTAd7zmv2gU1LedMDYvg
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@julialarkinmusic?lang=en

Image Credits
Kenzie Maroney