A Sit-Down with Julia Bardo
Let us introduce you to our latest crush.
Photos taken over zoom by Tilly Pearson
Most people wouldn't be too happy with a cancelled train. However, for Julia Bardo it seemed to be fate sending her a message when her train to Bristol, where she was intending to move to, broke down. This was a sign that Manchester would be the next step for the Italian-born singer. Three years on, Bardo is happily settled in MCR, a city whose iconic music scene populates the history books, and is making a name for herself. Having previously played guitar forWorking Men’s Club, she’s a seasoned professional – a status which her solo career wholeheartedly reflects.
Julia’s music charms you from the first chord. It’s a beautiful blend of catchy riffs and sincere lyrics, laced with a laid-back cool reflected in her music videos which will immediately make you hit the search-bar for a black leather jacket and slip dress. If you can’t tell, we’re huge fans. Last week, we sat down with the singer-songwriter to talk over her EP, favourite musical memories and her impeccable music taste (in our humble opinion).
LB: You released your fantastic EP, Phase, in March – how did it all come together?
JB: The songs on the EP are the ones I wrote first – I wanted to keep the most recent for an album because they’re the most ‘me’ – the more I write, the more I get to a point where I can see myself in the music. All my songs, even the new ones, talk about similar things but seen with different eyes or different 'PHASES'…
Do you find it quite a cathartic process when you’re writing?
I write when I need to put out something from inside – I don’t decide to ‘write a song’. When I feel bad I start to play, and whatever comes out is good because it means I managed to say the way I was feeling with music.
What’s your favourite track to play live?
Lonely Morning and Please Don’t Tell Me – I think they’re cool and *air strums her guitar* they’ve got that pace – every time we do it we play it slightly differently. I do miss being in Working Men’s Club because I used to play the guitar a lot *continues air-strumming* and it was beautiful for me to challenge all my energies into the instrument...I love to play angry, direct songs.
Who are your greatest musical influences?
I have always loved The Velvet Underground; they’ve been a band that’s been present in every phase (pardon the pun) of my life. Whatever Lou Reed does is great. I also love Angel Olson, Cate le Bon, Broadcast, PJ Harvey and Patti Smith. I’ve been listening to old Italian music recently especially because I miss home so much so it helps me feel close to my hometown. I also listen to a lot of hip hop, but I don't think that necessarily means it translates into my music.
“For me music is either sad or sexy, I hate happy music. The only thing I accept is disco.”
All your videos have a fantastic retro-chic to them, how do you come up with the ideas for your music videos?
The imagery I get in my head is often influenced by movies I watch, so when I hear a song or when I’m in the studio, I see it immediately. When I listen to music in general, I always close my eyes and see a colour or image and that guides me!
Have there been any gigs of yours that have stuck with you over the years?
It’s very recent, but my headline show at YES in Manchester was really special. I was a bit emotional because of the arrival of COVID and was very homesick so felt pretty alone. When we played, it was just incredible. All those people were there for me and I felt so appreciated in this warm place. That stuck with me for sure, it was the first time I felt very on ease on stage.
That sounds so special! What kind of music is on your daily rotation nowadays?
I listen to loads of different genres, but I’ve been listening to a lot of Lucio Battisti. I also listen to Hiroshi Yoshimura’s album Green which we put on with our daily yoga. There’s also In the Court of the Crimson King by King Crimson, which has this beautiful song that my dad showed me called ‘I Talk to the Wind’.
What’s your favourite independent music venue?
YES and Gorilla in Manchester: YES because their line-ups are incredible every single time and Gorilla I just love, especially when going there with friends for prosecco at their beautiful bar...
And finally – you’re out of quarantine and have just completed a night out filled with prosecco and dancing. Who are you listening to on your Last Bus home?
Broadcast. Anything from Broadcast.
