Quebec City-based singer-songwriter & multi-instrumentalist, Julyan has unveiled a video for the new single, “Look At Me, Look At You” from his upcoming debut EP, Julyan, to be released on May 8, 2020. Directed by Thomas Fortier, with creative direction by Simon Chénier-Gauvreau, the video comes to life through contrasting colors and dramatic lighting effects. Dancers Nikita Peruzzini and Rodrigo Alvarenga move through dissolving frames, fading in and out, at times closer, then moving away from each other, deftly illustrating the struggles of a strained relationship.
Check out the video below, and find out more about Julyan via our Five Questions With segment.
Care to introduce yourself to our readers?
Hi! My name is Julyan. I’m a singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist from Quebec City and I’m about to release my first EP in a few weeks. I like to write about the complexities of life, the weirdness of existing, the universe and my low self-esteem. My favorite animal is the sloth and my favorite food is grilled cheese sandwiches.
Tell us a bit about your music and writing style
I don’t like describing my own music style so I’m going to skip this one and let the readers make their own minds about it. 🙂 All I know is I strive for a balance between catchiness and good taste. I wanna write good songs. I guess that would make me a pop artist in the original meaning of the word… (I kind of ended up answering the question, haven’t I? Haha!)
Now for my writing style, most ideas come to me sort of out of the blue. I don’t “make” them, I just grab them as they pass by. In fact, a good portion of my melodies, I dream about them and upon waking up, I hurry to my piano or guitar to record it before I forget it. That’s kind of acquiring the raw material. But I also enjoy the other equally important part of the process, which is more cerebral, where I reflect on the song and make more conscious choices on where I should go with it. I also try to make songs that I feel help me grow as a human. I think that in order to move others, I first need to do it with me. It must be why I write so much… Because it helps me go through stuff.
Do you have any upcoming shows? For someone who has yet to see you live, how would you explain your live performance?
I started doing online shows on Facebook ever since social distancing measures! I call them the STREAMLY FUN sessions, and you should follow me on my Instagram and Facebook accounts where I announce and stream them! I’ve been doing one more or less every week and I really enjoy it.
I’m supposed to be playing at the Vieux Bureau de Poste in Saint-Romuald on June 13 as well as Festival d’Été de Québec on July 9 and I’m REALLY hoping that things go back to normal in time for that to happen!
The shows so far are really intimate. I go alone on stage and I try to expose myself with my vulnerabilities and flaws as much as I’m able to. That being said, I’ve created another version of my show for this summer where I’ll be performing on stage with an all-female band. This version of the show will have a bit more electricity and energy to it and will be better suited for outdoor concerts and big venues. Can’t wait.
If you were asked to suggest only one of your songs for someone to hear, which would it be?
The last one I write before I die. Because I believe we keep getting better as we go in life, so the last one should be the best, right?
Canadian Beats is all about Canadian music, so who are your current favourite Canadian bands/ artists?
I don’t really like artists and music. I think they’re lame and useless. Joking. I was really impressed by Valence’s debut EP. I liked Basia Bulat’s recent album a lot also. I’m a big fan of Gonzales and that just won’t fade. I also like Thierry Larose, San James, Milk & Bone, Men I Trust and more.