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Interview with
JULIANNA SWEENEY

(6th February 2021)

Interviewer – Dave Bruce

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Julianna Sweeney is a 21 year old singer/songwriter. She is a Portuguese, Irish, and Italian-American. Julianna loves cooking new recipes, taking spontaneous trips to explore nature and different cultures, and she is on a constant search for the world’s best cappuccino. Her style has been noted to sound like Joni Mitchell, Carole King, and Norah Jones and her music can be found on all major music platforms!

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Have you always wanted to be a musician? When did you get the song writing bug?
I’m really fortunate to have know from a very young age that I wanted to pursue music. The first time that I was asked what I wanted to be when I grew up was in kindergarten and I knew right away that I wanted to be a singer. It wasn’t until I wrote my first song in fifth grade that I realized singing was only 1 aspect of my passion. Ever since then, I haven’t been able to shake the songwriting bug!

How would you describe your sound? Why do you think people resonate with your music?
My sound pulls influence from a myriad of others. Although I have written songs in almost every genre for other artists and projects, I am most inspired by the folk and singer/songwriter sound – my biggest influences being Joni Mitchell, Carole King, Norah Jones, John Mayer, The Beatles, and Simon&Garfunkel. I love the combination of acoustic and electric sounds, the jazz and pop undertones that accompany the arrangements and most of all, the storytelling factor. I have always been enamored by the ability for an artist to be so vulnerable with their audience but also relate to them on an individual level. This is what I aspire to do with my music.

Which artist’s music and/or performance, past or present, inspires you today? 
John Mayer’s musical prowess has inspired me ever since the day I heard his music for the first time. I never get bored of his sound, I believe almost all of his lyrics are poetic gold and I could listen to his discography all day every day. I had the privilege of seeing him perform twice so far, and both performances were flawless. He never ceases to inspire from his relationship with the audience, to his performance skills, to his songwriting in general. His musicianship has really made an impact on my own songwriting.

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Photo – Tiffany M. Simone Photography

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Your new album “Exit Fo[u]r” has just been released! Describe its origin and evolution. 
My new album, “Exit Fo[u]r” has just been released! It is an album about observing, experiencing, overcoming, and growing. Releasing an album has been a dream of mine ever since I wrote my first song. I had recorded and released singles in the past but nothing as intense as this project. It began as a capstone project for college (I just recently graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Industry) but I decided to take it a step further. I lost my mom to metastatic breast cancer a few months before I graduated high school. She dedicated her life to helping others and has inspired my mission to give back through my music. In honor of her, I released my album on January 27th, her birthday. I also have made a pledge to donated proceeds from physical album sales and merch, as well as all royalties from the first week of streams, to childhood cancer research – a cause that was close to her heart. The origin of the title comes from the fact that Exit 4 was both the exit that I take in New Jersey to come home as well as the exit that I would take to get to school in Upstate New York. I believe there is something to be said about a journey that begins and ends symbolically in the same fashion. The brackets around the “u” give the title a second meaning. In life we are given the choice between staying on the highway or taking the exit for you. Taking the exit isn’t always easy, but it’s crucial to individual growth and becoming your fullest potential.

What are the signature pieces on the album, and which is your favorite track?
The album is a total of 10 tracks and although they are all special to the overall story in their own way, the signature pieces on the album are “ready,” “all talk, “exposed,” and “georgia peaches.” There are two tracks that are neck and neck for my favorite, “ready” and “michelangelo.” “ready” is the most collaborative in terms of musicians (and my pal played a real saw which was a crazy experience) and “michelangelo” was the first time I was able to really fully embrace the folk sound landscape (banjo, mandolin, and upright bass with a bow).

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Any tours or events coming up soon? What are you looking forward to, and what can the fans expect?
Unfortunately, due to COVID, there are no in-person events coming until the weather gets a bit warmer – however, I am planning a few live stream concerts soon, and have been asked to join a few other amazing artists in theirs as well so keep an eye out! 

If you could perform with any music artist, Alive or Dead, who would you choose? And why? 
If I could perform with any artist, alive or dead, I would probably have to go with Ella Fitzgerald – I mean just imagine the feedback and expertise you could gain from a performer and vocal extraordinaire like that? 

Do you have any long-term aspirations as a music artist? 
My long-term aspirations as a music artist are to release a total of 11 albums, make a living doing what I love and be able to donate $100,000 a year or more to causes that can help others in need… (and sing “baby it’s cold outside” as a duet with Michael Bublé).

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Photo – Tiffany M. Simone Photography

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What is the best thing about performing to a live audience? What’s been the career highlight so far?
The best thing about performing to a live audience has got to be the connection you make with them – especially when that connection is made through an original song. That’s the goal after all, to make connections with those around you. My biggest career highlight so far has to have been getting personal songwriting feedback from Chris Wood of The Wood Brothers. It was such an reflective experience and helped in the evolution of a few of the songs on this album.

Finally, a few questions for some quick answers –
FAVOURITE:
Album – Blue by Joni Mitchell (the intricacies of the songwriting are mind blowing) or Songs in the Key of Life by Stevie Wonder (the storytelling is incredible)
Artist – If I’m being honest, my answer changes every few months depending on my mood but right now it’s between John Mayer and Carole King
Movie – It’s a Wonderful Life (hands down)
Place to visit – Europe (there’s so much culture and history)
Venue to play – Anywhere in my home town (reminds me of where I started out)
Food –  Carne de Porco à Alentejana (a traditional Portuguese meal of pork, clams and shrimp with fried potatoes)
Drink – Water (I have water on me at all times), dry red wine or Guinness (if we’re celebrating) 
Person in History – St. Joan of Arc (she’s such a badass)
Tattoo – (If you don’t have one, what would you get?) I don’t have one currently but I am considering getting a small rose behind my ear in honor of my mom

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Check out JULIANNA SWEENEY below
Website – Facebook – Instagram
Spotify – YouTube

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Photo – Tiffany M. Simone Photography

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AMNPLIFY – DB