Interview: I Am Snow Angel
6 min read
Julie Kathryn is no stranger to success. Having released a number of singles over the years under her own name, the singer-songwriter has reinvented herself and is now recording under the new stage name, I Am Snow Angel.
With a brand new EP recently offered to fans, we had a chat with I Am Snow Angel about her artistic transformation and latest EP release. Here is what she had to tell us:
Brendon Veevers: How are you today and where in the world does our interview find you?
I Am Snow Angel: I’m great, thanks for asking. I’m home in New York City.
BV: You have just recently released a self-titled EP. Can you tell readers a little about the collection?
I Am Snow Angel: Yes! It’s a four-song EP – something that was literally homemade. I recorded it in my apartment. It was a fun, creative experiment.
BV: How has the fan reaction been toward the EP so far? Are you feeling the love?
I Am Snow Angel: I’ve gotten great feedback. People have compared me to some beautiful artists like Grimes and Imogen Heap, and I’m really flattered. I am definitely feeling the love and I appreciate it.
BV: Let Me Go is the latest track to be lifted from the EP as a single. Can you tell us about the inspiration behind this single?
I Am Snow Angel: Let Me Go was originally a spiritual song. I wrote it about forgiveness and redemption. It’s about transitioning from one life to another —or perhaps from one phase of life to another phase. For me, it’s about shedding layers, letting go, moving on.
BV: How would you describe your sound and your style to those who may not yet have heard of I Am Snow Angel?
I Am Snow Angel: I would call it dreamy synth-pop —a blend of electronic and organic.
BV: I Am Snow Angel is a departure from your work under the name of Julie Kathryn. Why have you decided to record under the new stage name and how did this particular name come about?
I Am Snow Angel: This is the first music that I’ve produced and engineered myself. It sounds and feels different from my other recordings, so it felt natural to call the project something new. This name just popped into my head. I’ve always felt connected to spiritual imagery, especially angels. And the wintertime is when I feel most creative —something about the cold and the darkness. “I Am Snow Angel” just felt right.
BV: Have you found the transition between your former recording title into this new alter ego has been successful and have you been able to retain fans of your previous recording work?
I Am Snow Angel: Hmmm, I actually haven’t thought about it much. I do think a lot of my existing fans are digging the I Am Snow Angel tracks. I also think I’m appealing to a new audience with this project – people who are into electronic, synth-based music. I’m expanding my horizons and it feels good!
[youtube id=”OX41ySKXmog” width=”620″ height=”360″]
BV: What key differences are there between your new material and your previous work as Julie Kathryn?
I Am Snow Angel: The key difference is that I‘m producing and engineering the I Am Snow Angel songs myself. The EP was basically a one-person project. I wrote, played and sang all of the instrumental and vocal parts. I sang lots of layers of harmonies, and I created everything else electronically, using drum loops and midi instruments. In contrast, my previous work —for example, my Americana album Black Trees— that I released under my own name in 2013, was recorded in a traditional studio with producers (the talented Felix McTeigue and Drew Guido) and lots of musicians and organic instruments. I’m really pleased with both outcomes. I don’t think that one process is superior to the other. Right now I feel more connected to the I Am Snow Angel aesthetic, but I may return to my acoustic singer-songwriter roots in the future!
BV: Growing up, who would you say influenced you the most in terms of you wanting to pursue a recording career?
I Am Snow Angel: My early childhood was very musical. My dad really influenced me. He sang to me a lot when I was little, and we sang songs together every morning on the way to school.
BV: What would you say inspired you the most during the creation of the new EP?
I Am Snow Angel: I draw inspiration from a lot of places. It’s hard to know what inspired me the most. I listened to some of my favorite albums on repeat while I was writing and recording this EP – especially Give Up by The Postal Service. I really connect with upbeat pop music that has dark undertones. I am also inspired by the David Lynch-style aesthetic: anything dark, ethereal, mysterious.
BV: The EP has been written, recorded and produced by you. Is it important to have full creative control when it comes to your career?
I Am Snow Angel: At this point in my creative development, it feels important to produce my own work so that I can create the sonic landscape that I already hear in my mind. I feel like I am getting closer to achieving this. Now that I’ve gotten my feet wet as a producer, I know some of my strengths and weaknesses, and I’m feeling more comfortable bringing in like-minded collaborators to enrich the process and help me manifest my vision. I don’t think it’s important to always have full control. I really enjoy collaborating with other producers and other musicians, and sometimes it’s surprising and fun to hand over some of the control.
BV: When might we expect an album? Are there plans in place to deliver a full length record?
I Am Snow Angel: I’m working on a full length album now! I am super excited about it and I can’t wait for you to hear it.
BV: How will you know when things have really taken off in your career – how did you define success?
I Am Snow Angel: In some ways, I already feel successful because I’m proud of the music I’m creating. But this is a hard question. Let’s talk again when my career has really taken off and I‘ll give you a better answer!
BV: Are you heading out on tour this year to promote your work? Any dates or information that you can reveal for us?
I Am Snow Angel: I’ll be playing a show – including songs from the EP plus lots of new material – at The Slipper Room in New York City on July 17th.
BV: Thanks for your time and the best of luck with the success of the EP!
I Am Snow Angel: It was my pleasure – thank you!
::: RenownedForSound.com’s Editor and Founder –
Interviewing and reviewing the best in new music and globally recognized artists is his passion.
Over the years he has been lucky enough to review thousands of music releases and concerts and interview artists ranging from top selling superstars like 27-time Grammy Award winner Alison Krauss, Boyz II Men, Roxette, Cyndi Lauper, Lisa Loeb and iconic Eagles front man/songwriter, Glenn Frey through to more recent successes including Newton Faulkner, Janelle Monae and Caro Emerald.
Brendon manages and coordinates the amazing team of writers on RenownedForSound.com who are based in the UK, the U.S and Australia.
