Divine is thrilled to be able to interview Jules Rendell, who describes herself as a soulful Pop singer-songwriter.
Jules has described her music as Electro-classic-soul – basically soulful pop songs with an electronic twist. And an extra twist of singer songwriter. Her debut album, Imagine, has been a hit and epitomises stories of friendship, love and letting go.
We caught up with Jules and asked her the usual silly questions and a few more serious ones. We hope you enjoy the interview.
If you could breed two animals together to defy the laws of nature what new animal would you create?
I would create an elephant with beautiful butterfly wings, combining strength, dominance and authority with beauty, flexibility and vulnerability. The perfect combination.
Do you know the dance steps to an annoying cheesy pop song?
Of course I do ha! Two for starters: the Macarena and the Locomotion. But anyone could add in YMCA and Staying Alive, right?
If you could steal one thing without consequence what would it be?
A bigger house with a bigger garden. No idea how I could steal a house.
What do you consider is the most important appliance in a house?
Um… the kettle. I’m a typical English tea lover.
Would you rather be the girl in a movie who gets the fella or the baddie with all the good lines?
Neither. I would like to be a strong woman with lots of good lines, someone who overcomes. Somebody like Jennifer Lawrence in ‘Joy’. Such an inspiring film.
And now onto the serious ones.
Tell us a little about yourself, your background and what drew you to the music industry?
I was always singing and playing instruments as a child. My family loved music, even though none of my immediate family played anything. I knew from my mid-teens I wanted to make a career out of music, even though I knew NOTHING about the music industry and neither did anyone I knew. I can’t say anything else grew close to my interest in it and there was nothing else I was particularly good at. At the time, I thought I would be a cellist but a couple of years later, i figured that I found singing much easier and I went to college to study to be an opera singer. By the end of the 4 year course, I realised opera wasn’t really my vibe and turned off that road towards soul and gospel. I wanted to communicate by writing and performing my own songs rather than singing other people’s work. My first few years as a full time musician was spent on so many different areas to make a living, I only really began focusing on my original music when I was 25.
Who are you inspired by?
I am inspired by people who keep going despite adversity or knock backs, people who started their career late, people who care about their art more than being popular. Musically at the moment, I am inspired by H.E.R., Jacob Collier, Jason Upton.
What’s an average day like for you?
I’m really lucky to be self employed so my mornings are pretty chilled. They start with breakfast, prayer, then attacking emails. I run a vocal group called Get Gospel and that takes up most of my time. Some days have gigs in, some days I write arrangements, there’s editing videos, updating websites, social media. I’d like my days to be more full of music and less of admin/computer stuff to be honest! My new years resolution is to be more chilled and spend more time singing for the fun of it, not because it’s my job.
Is there a hidden meaning in any of your music?
People can take my songs any way that speaks to them. I think all things have hidden layers if you look deep enough. So yeah, there are hidden meanings, which will be more hidden to some than others. I hope people hear a friendly voice behind my songs who can help unfold them.
Have you ever dealt with performance anxiety?
Um… Not when I am booked to perform no… but yes in that sometimes I don’t go for things I should because of ‘imposter syndrome’ i.e. thinking I’m not good enough. I reckon I have been paralysed from achieving a lot because of that.
Someone wrote this about ‘Remember’ – “This song has the ability to simultaneously evoke emotions of happiness and sadness leaving you with bitter-sweet feelings. The realness and raw quality in this performance are what I love the most.” It must make you feel all warm and fuzzy when someone says this about your work. Tell us about your debut album and some of your favourite tracks on it.
Do you know what, it IS amazing when people say things like that about your track. Knowing that your song has connected with someone is wonderful. 🙂 yay!
The songs on my album, IMAGINE, are written about people, to people and about me and to me. 10 tracks about mental health and how to live well, inspired by living in one of the fastest paced cities in the world. There are some songs that are like a counsellor talking to me. I feel ashamed sometimes to have written such wise advice and then still need to hear it myself every day to live well. For instance, Troubles. It starts with ‘Don’t be so hard on yourself,’. Ha! How much do I need to hear that! Also, Imagine – the spoken track. There is so much wisdom about life held in those words, I’m trying every day to live up to it. It’s those songs that touch my heart the most.
It’s a tough industry to break into. Have you any words of wisdom for potential artists to give them hope that perhaps one day they can break into the genre too?
Keep creating. Push yourself to improve, practice, practice, practice. Sing/play live whenever you can. Stay true to who you are… the only way to survive a hostile industry like this is to love what you do and get enjoyment out of performing/writing.
Are there any changes you’d like to see to the music industry to allow musicians to make music and be able to sustain their careers?
You know, everywhere we turn, businesses are cutting our revenue. It’s SO HARD to make a living out of being an original artist. With the new ventures of YouTube and BBC Sounds, it is a fight for organisations like PRS and the MU to get a fair deal for songwriters and performers. It would be great for music providers across the board to give us what we are due.
You’re a Christian and describe your ‘day job’ as running a professional gospel and soul vocal group called Get Gospel. How has your faith impacted upon your music writing and helped you overcome your challenges?
My life was massively changed for the better when i became a Christian at 18 – I became a new person. I would be so lost without God directing my life and encouraging me to try things and persevere. He gives me all the ideas I have. I don’t separate my faith from my work or my writing – it encompasses everything I am so it does leak out in to my songs. I can’t write anything I don’t believe, so the things I believe come out in my writing. I find it hard to write songs that don’t have an element of hope in them – I feel I would be doing myself and God a disservice if so. I am learning again how much prayer really works. Just this week I have had two things that I have finally prayed about, and bosh, within the hour, both things were solved. So yeah, taking my challenges to God really helps me!
How do you feel about the internet in the music business – are there pros and cons for you?
It’s been amazing. Much as there are downsides, I doubt I would have ever had the exposure for my music that I have had without the internet. I have reached so many more people across the globe because of Spotify, Deezer, Youtube, bloggers, online magazines and radio, my email list! The internet made is possible for independent artists to thrive. The con for me is how fast paced it has become, how much social media can snuff the life out of you. But some people love that side of it! For me, it’s a massive chore!
How do you like to relax, do you have any hobbies or sports you partake in to take your mind off the music industry?
I love hanging with my husband and friends. I exercise a fair bit and love going on holidays, I’m a beach girl mostly but love the country too. That and eating good food and I am happyyyyy.
Thanks so much for having me, I really appreciate your support!!
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