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Julia Holter
Julia Holter @ Getty Center 07 27 2024 (53885698262) (cropped).jpg
Holter in 2024
Born
Julia Shammas Holter

(1984-12-18) December 18, 1984 (age 40)
Alma mater University of Michigan (BA)
California Institute of the Arts (MFA)
Employer Occidental College
Musical career
Genres
  • Art pop
  • chamber pop
  • ambient
  • modern classical
Occupation(s)
  • Musician
  • singer
  • songwriter
  • composer
  • producer
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • keyboards
  • organ
  • harpsichord
  • drums
Years active 2006–present
Labels
  • Leaving
  • RVNG
  • Domino

Julia Shammas Holter (born December 18, 1984) is an American musician, singer, and songwriter. She is also a record producer and composer. Julia Holter is known for her unique music style. It mixes different sounds like art pop, chamber pop, and ambient music. Her songs are often praised by music critics.

Julia Holter started releasing music independently. Her first official album, Tragedy, came out in 2011. This was followed by Ekstasis in 2012. She then signed with Domino Records. With Domino, she released several albums. These include Loud City Song (2013) and Have You in My Wilderness (2015). She also released a live album, In the Same Room (2017). Her double album Aviary came out in 2018.

Julia Holter also creates music for films. She composed the score for the 2020 movie Never Rarely Sometimes Always. In 2023, she released Behind the Wallpaper. This was a collaboration with Spektral Quartet and Alex Temple. Her newest studio album is Something in the Room She Moves, released in 2024. She has also worked with other musicians. These include Nite Jewel, Laurel Halo, and Jean-Michel Jarre.

Julia Holter's Early Life and Education

Julia Holter was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. When she was six, her family moved to Los Angeles. She attended Alexander Hamilton High School there. Julia then studied music at the University of Michigan for four years. She earned a degree in composition.

After seeing a performance by Michael Pisaro, she was inspired. She decided to study with him at CalArts. There, she completed another composition program.

Julia Holter's Music Career Begins

Julia Holter started her music career by contributing songs. She added her music to several compilation albums in 2008. In 2010, she began playing with Linda Perhacs' band. She also released a CD-R called Celebration. This was a collection of live recordings.

Her first official album, Tragedy, was released in August 2011. It was inspired by the Greek play Hippolytus. The album received good reviews. It was even named one of NPR's "Best Outer Sound Albums of 2011."

Releasing New Albums and Gaining Fame

Julia Holter released her second album, Ekstasis, in March 2012. This album was released on the RVNG Intl. label. Critics compared her music to artists like Kate Bush and Joanna Newsom. The album received many positive reviews. Julia spent three years creating Ekstasis. The title comes from a Greek word meaning "outside of oneself."

In August 2013, she released her third album, Loud City Song. This album was released by Domino Records. Critics praised it highly. Unlike her earlier albums, Loud City Song was recorded with a group of musicians. Her previous works were mostly recorded alone.

In 2015, Holter released Have You in My Wilderness. This album was very popular with critics. It became her most successful album on the music charts. She also worked with the band Ducktails on their album St. Catherine.

Collaborations and Special Projects

Julia Holter has collaborated with many artists. In 2016, she worked with Jean-Michel Jarre. They created a song for his album, Electronica.

In November 2016, she organized her own music program. This was for the Le Guess Who? Festival in Utrecht. Her program featured performances by artists like Laurel Halo.

In September 2017, she performed a special show. She created new music for the 1928 silent French film The Passion of Joan of Arc. This world premiere took place in Los Angeles.

In September 2018, Holter announced her fifth album, Aviary. She released the first song, "I Shall Love 2." Then came "Words I Heard." The album was released on October 26. It was praised for its wide range and ambition. Many music lists named it one of the best albums of 2018.

In 2021, Julia Holter became a visiting professor. She teaches songwriting at Occidental College in Los Angeles.

On January 9, 2024, Holter announced her sixth studio album. It is called Something in the Room She Moves. The album was released on March 22 by Domino Records. It received great reviews. In June 2024, she also appeared on her partner Tashi Wada's album, What Is Not Strange?.

Julia Holter's Unique Music Style

Music critics often describe Julia Holter's singing. The Guardian newspaper said her voice "faintly recalls Siouxsie Sioux or Nico." Under the Radar magazine also compared her to other female artists. They said her voice has a special intensity.

Julia Holter's Personal Life

Julia Holter is married to musician Tashi Wada. Tashi is the son of sound artist Yoshi Wada. Julia and Tashi have been together since 2015. They also have a daughter, who was born during the COVID-19 pandemic. Julia and Tashi first met in 2007. They both played in a harmonium group organized by a friend. Julia worked with Tashi on his 2024 album, What Is Not Strange?.

Julia Holter's Music Releases

Studio Albums

List of studio albums
Title Album details Peak chart positions
US Heat BEL
(FL)

BEL
(WA)
NLD NOR
SWI
UK
Phaedra Runs to Russia
  • Released: 2007
  • Label: self-released
  • Format: CD-R
Eating the Stars
  • Released: 2007
  • Label: Human Ear Music
  • Format: CD-R
Cookbook
  • Released: 2008
  • Label: Sleepy Mammal Sound
  • Format: CD-R
Celebration
  • Released: November 12, 2010
  • Label: Engraved Glass
  • Format: CD
Tragedy
  • Released: August 30, 2011
  • Label: Leaving
  • Formats: LP, CD, digital download
Ekstasis
  • Released: March 8, 2012
  • Label: RVNG
  • Formats: LP, CD, digital download
49
Loud City Song
  • Released: August 19, 2013
  • Label: Domino
  • Formats: LP, CD, digital download
19 60 140 91 20 88 103
Have You in My Wilderness
  • Released: September 25, 2015
  • Label: Domino
  • Formats: LP, CD, digital download
3 56 107 36 29
Aviary
  • Release date: October 26, 2018
  • Label: Domino
  • Formats: LP, CD, digital download
16 81 99 73
Behind the Wallpaper
(with Spektral Quartet)
  • Release date: March 3, 2023
  • Label: Amsterdam Records
  • Formats: LP, digital download
Something in the Room She Moves
  • Release date: March 22, 2024
  • Label: Domino

Live Albums

List of live albums
Title Album details Peak chart positions
BEL
(FL)

Live Recordings
  • Released: 2010
  • Label: NNA Tapes
  • Format: MC
In the Same Room
  • Released: March 31, 2017
  • Label: Domino Documents
  • Format: LP, CD, digital download
126

Singles

  • "Maria" (2011)
  • "Marienbad" (2012)
  • "In the Same Room" (2012)
  • "Goddess Eyes" (2012)
  • "World" (2013)
  • "In The Green Wild" (2013)
  • "Maxims I" (2013)
  • "Don't Make Me Over" (2014)
  • "Feel You" (2015)
  • "Sea Calls Me Home" (2015)
  • "Condemnation", with Romona Gonzalez and Nedelle Torissi (2017)
  • "I Shall Love 2" (2018)
  • "Words I Heard" (2018)
  • "So Humble the Afternoon" (2018)
  • "Les Jeux to You - Edit" (2019)
  • "Gold Dust Woman" (2020)
  • "Heloise", with Harper Simon and Meditations On Crime, feat. Geologist (2022)
  • "Sun Girl" (2023)

Remixes by Julia Holter

  • "Strange Town" by Buzzy Lee (2021)

See also

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