Exclusive track premiere of ‘Julia’ by Hallie Spoor, taken from the upcoming album, ‘Heart Like Thunder,’ out October 17th.

Exploring the track’s meaning, Spoor said, “‘Julia’ was inspired by the day I did the heartbreaking “stuff exchange” with my ex at Cobble Hill Park in Brooklyn. I had just washed my hair with a new conditioner that had dragon’s blood (a plant extract) and currants (the berry) in it- and the first line of the song goes “I remember walking there, dragon’s blood and currants in my hair.” Smell is such a powerful sense for memory, and whenever I get a whiff of that fragrance, it takes me right back to that moment. I had always been jealous of my ex’s best friend, Julia, because she knew him better than I ever would. But the song is really about forgiveness, and knowing that there are no villains or martyrs, only flawed humans doing their best. “His love was consuming, touch was my flame, burned me so bright I know you feel the same. But I was enticing enough to forget, it’s you he was made for, and your love he kept. Julia, I guess I’m just like you.” Despite Julia’s heavy lyrics, the instrumentation and arrangement of ‘Julia’ has a contemplative, breezy energy to it. I see this as a Road Trip song, windows down, easy drive.”

Brooklyn-based indie-folk singer-songwriter Hallie Spoor’s compelling vocals and emotional storytelling reminiscent of 1970s icons like Laura Nyro and Joni Mitchell. She attributes the warmth to her grandfather, a jazz pianist who played ‘Penthouse Serenade’ and ‘Maple Leaf Rag’ by ear while she sat next to him on the piano bench, feet dangling, watching his hands dance across the keyboard. His music was “the soundtrack of our house, of every holiday, of our lives. Papa’s music brought the whole family together.” That desire to create community through music fuels Hallie today.

Headline photo: Sierra Voss

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