Julia Holter

Julia Holter

Julia Holter at Haldern Pop 2013
Background information
Born December 18, 1984
Origin Los Angeles, California
Genres Art pop, experimental music, electronic, ambient
Occupation(s) composer, musician
Instruments Vocals, keyboard, organ, harpsichord, drums
Years active 2007 – present
Labels Leaving, RVNG, Domino (current)
Associated acts Nite Jewel, Linda Perhacs
Website http://juliashammasholter.com/

Julia Shammas Holter is an American artist, singer, songwriter, producer and composer based in Los Angeles. A CalArts graduate, she released her first studio album, Tragedy, in 2011. A second album, Ekstasis, followed in 2012. Holter also collaborates with other musicians including Nite Jewel, Linda Perhacs, and Michael Pisaro. In 2013, she released her third album, Loud City Song, to resounding critical acclaim.

Biography

Holter grew up in Los Angeles and attended the Alexander Hamilton High School Academy of Music. After graduating from CalArts, where she studied composition,[1] Holter contributed songs to multiple compilation albums in 2008. She performed in the LA Road Concert with the Open Academy Youth Orchestra on Washington Boulevard in 2009.[2] The following year she began playing with Linda Perhacs' band. In 2010, she released a CD-R titled Celebration and a collection of live recordings.[3]

Her debut studio album, Tragedy, was released in August 2011 on Leaving Records. Inspired by Euripides' Greek play Hippolytus,[4][5] the album received generally favorable reviews and was named one of NPR's "Best Outer Sound Albums Of 2011".[6]

Holter released a second album, Ekstasis, in March 2012 on the RVNG label. The album drew comparisons to works by such artists as Laurie Anderson, Julianna Barwick, Kate Bush, Joanna Newsom, Grouper, and Stereolab, and received many positive reviews.[7] Holter spent three years making the album, whose title comes from the Greek word meaning "outside of oneself."[8] The music video for album track "Moni Mon Amie", directed by Yelena Zhelezov, was also released in March.[9]

In addition to collaborating with other California-based musicians like Nite Jewel (Ramona Gonzalez), Holter released her third album, Loud City Song, in August 2013 on Domino Records.[3] Unlike her first two albums, which were recorded mostly alone in her bedroom, Holter recorded Loud City Song with an ensemble of musicians.[10]

Discography

Album Album details Peak positions Certification
BE (Vl) [11] BE (Wa) CH NL NOR
[12]
Tragedy  –  –  –  –  –
Ekstasis
  • Released: March 8, 2012
  • Label: RVNG
  • Format: LP, CD, digital download
  –  –  –  –  –
Loud City Song
  • Released: August 19, 2013
  • Label: Domino
  • Format: LP, CD, digital download
 60 140 88 91 20

References

  1. ↑ Ratliff, Ben (2012-03-04). "Week Ahead - Pop". The New York Times. Retrieved 2012-03-30.
  2. ↑ LA Road Concerts (September 17, 2009). "LA Road Concerts website". Los Angeles Road Concerts. Retrieved November 20, 2012.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Phares, Heather. "Julia Holter - Biography". Allmusic. Retrieved 2012-03-30.
  4. ↑ Wappler, Margaret (2012-01-06). "In rotation: Julia Holter's 'Tragedy'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2012-03-30.
  5. ↑ Powell, Mike (2011-10-19). "Reviews: Julia Holter - 'Tragedy'". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved 2012-03-30.
  6. ↑ Gotrich, Lars (2011-11-30). "The Best Outer Sound Albums Of 2011". NPR. Retrieved 2012-03-30.
  7. ↑ Ekstasis reviews:
  8. ↑ Pizzicarola, Elano (2012-03-06). "Julia Holter Talks Ekstasis and Recording Stuff Like Chatter and Fireworks". LA Weekly. Retrieved 2012-03-30.
  9. ↑ Cooper, Duncan (2012-03-27). "Video: Julia Holter, 'Moni Mon Amie'". The Fader. Retrieved 2012-03-31.
  10. ↑ Fitzmaurice, Larry (2012-02-12). "Rising: Julia Holter". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved 2012-03-30.
  11. ↑ http://www.ultratop.be/nl/album/36541/Julia-Holter-Loud-City-Song
  12. ↑ "Ola discography". swedishcharts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved 24 May 2013.

External links