Beloved Australian indie-folk sibling duo Angus & Julia Stone are perhaps best known for the 2010 multi-Platinum hit “Big Jet Plane,” with well over half a billion streams, but they’re not ones to rest on their laurels—especially with the release of their new album Karaoke Bar, last week.
The two have been making music together for nearly 20 years, known for the timeless quality of their lush sound, and that’s evident in their new project, which was both written and recorded on the road. The restrained and emotional album transforms that journey into music, capturing both the loneliness and unique sense of connection that comes from traveling the world, as well as showcasing the unique brother the two have as brother and sister.
The two are also preparing for some important American dates, playing three shows in L.A. at Hollywood Forever from Sep. 14 to Sep. 16 and in New York City the week of Sep. 20. In midst of the excitement, we got the chance to catch up with one half of the duo, Julia Stone, to find out more about the project and all of the things that make her tick. Read our full interview with her as our Woman Crush Wednesday below.
(Photo credit: Sean McDonald)
Also read about: Everything You Wanted to Know About Angus of Australian Folk-Pop Duo, Angus & Julia Stone
Name: Julia Natasha Stone
Hometown: Sydney, Australia
Birthday: April 13
Also read about: Everything You Wanted to Know About ‘Act of God’ Artist Linney
Fun Facts:
1. Angus and Julia’s new album, Karaoke Bar, dropped last week.
Julia Stone: Whenever we finish a record, I really love the process of deciding on the title. We go through all the lyrics and the song titles, put forward options and try to feel out what represents the music from the record best.
We made this record while touring “The Living Room” sessions and every night on that tour felt like a celebration with our fans around the world. There was so much joy in those rooms sometimes in spite of difficult things happening in the world or in our own lives.
In the end, Karaoke Bar felt like the right title because what a karaoke bar is, but also what is can symbolize. It’s a place where people come together to have fun but also where the normal social barriers of everyday life can disappear for a while. By the end of a night at karaoke, you can find yourself arm in arm with someone who has completely opposite beliefs or values to you, singing a song about love or loss… something universally true for all of us… and that’s what this record means to us.
2. At the time of our interview with her, Julia’s favorite song on Karaoke Bar was “Brightest Place.”
Julia: It almost didn’t make the record. It started in Greece, got tweaked in France and then finished in Australia. It traveled with us from the beginning to the end and for me it was one of those songs that never felt quite finished. I just never could settle on the verse.… and then right at the end, after trying about six different verses I ended up choosing the first verse I wrote at the beginning.
3. She says the one makeup product she couldn’t live without is Base Camp Signature Lip Liner.
Julia: It’s always in my bag. Good as an eyeshadow color, too.
Also read about: Everything You Wanted to Know About Trilingual Singer-Songwriter GIULIA BE
4. She wouldn’t say she collects anything now, but that hasn’t always been the case.
Julia: When I was a kid I collected heaps of stuff. Old bottles, shells, rocks. My room was like Ariel’s grotto, full of crap that had spiders building homes in it.
5. One thing that Julia thinks many people don’t know about her is that she has a daughter.
6. If she could live in any fictional world, she’d pick the titular Island from Aldous Huxley’s Island.
Also read about: Everything You Wanted to Know About TikToker, Model and Dancer Alana Lintao
7. Green is her favorite color.
Julia: I like the way I feel when I see green, both in nature or when people are wearing it.
8. Her go-to pizza order is pepperoni with pineapple and olives.
9. Her most-used emoji is the blue butterfly 🦋
Also read about: Everything You Wanted to Know About Suede Singer-Songwriter Erin Kinsey
10. Her favorite style trend at the moment is the resurgence of ’90s looks.
Julia: Being a kid of the ’90s I love seeing so much ’90s fashion around. Everything kind of oversized. Looks and feels comfortable.
11. Julia says that at her core, she feels somewhat flawed.
Julia: Not in a bad way— just not perfect… I used to think there was some day where things would feel “right” or “complete”… that if I just worked hard enough, investigated things enough then I could be the best version of myself. Like the perfect version of myself… now I don’t think like that. I accept that I’m all the things at different times. I’m great and also s***… detached at times and needy at others… deeply proud of myself and also ashamed.
You can listen to Karaoke Bar in full here:
For more on our musical Woman Crushes, click HERE to discover everything you wanted to know about “HONEYMOON” artist Paris Alexa.
