Julian McClung who was born in Newcastle and country raised, is a 22 year old Australian contemporary solo artist with a session band that brings acoustic soul and blues together. Julian has kindly agreed to give some of his time for to Carve for an interview.
What star sign are you?
I’m a Taurean. I really don’t follow astrology but I think that makes me persistent and determined, right?
When you were a child, what did you want to grow up to be?
As a kid I think we all wanted to be more than one thing growing up. I went through many stages of learning and absorbing the world around me, being inspired by many things growing up but I never ventured far from art in all its forms.
Who was your greatest inspiration as a child?
James Marshal Hendrix, anyone who held a Stratocaster in their hands and had a mind for speaking.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
If I’m not working on new sounds and ways to express myself through music I spend time reading novels and watching old films and documentaries. I’m really enjoying documentaries about 1930’s-1950’s musicians at the moment.
What is your favourite meal?
That’s a difficult question. If I was to die tomorrow and could only have one more meal it would probably be Duck a l'orange, that would take me to another place.
Where and what would be your ultimate holiday?
Generally, I live a simple life. If I wanted to remember a time and place where I was truly happy the place would be right next to the one I share the world with and all the time in the world to spend it with her.
But, if you want a serious answer then it would be somewhere in a village on the southern coast of Italy with the sun on my face and a glass of Chianti in my hand.
What would you like to be doing five years from now?
Writing records that reach the streets and touch the souls of many who love and appreciate music.
Describe your new album 'One day...'
Daniel Johnston once said “Art will always be inspired by beauty”. The closest meaning for this debut album is that I wrote most of the songs about someone I fell in love with and was completely inspired by. I could have written so many more for this album but sometimes things can be better expressed with fewer words…
People speak of their aspirations in life and one day reaching that point of satisfaction and comfort to of achieved something. Well, for me this is my ‘One day…’
Which song on the album is your favourite and why?
To me they all had a significant part in portraying my feelings at the time.
If I was to be completely honest I would have to say that the weakest song on the album being the demo ‘Freckle on a thumb’ draws the most memories for me. It’s a very simple love song but it brought out the most smiles for me.
Describe the experience of releasing this debut album…
I promise you, it’s only just the start of my journey. I have learnt so much and am still learning as a musician.
This album was recorded back in 2005 and it took quite some time to find the right approach for the band and I to release.
I have been extremely fortunate to be surrounded by so many talented people and people who have such enthusiasm and insight into what we find ahead of us.
Ultimately, it was special.
Describe the experience of going on tour…
Well, basically the tour for the debut album hasn’t really started for the band and I yet. With our first shows in June and ending in July I imagine many different emotions will come. From previous shows here and overseas travelling is what makes an artist grow. You learn a lot on the road meeting other artists and the places you go. It’s something different. The Australian people usually get behind artists trying to find their place in this difficult industry but I am confident this visit to Australia for us will be the beginning of something special.
Is there a certain show that you have performed that is your favourite so far?
I think the festivals generally are electric. The anticipation and excitement that comes of seeing hundreds of people lining up to the fence to watch their favourite acts perform is amazing. It’s real.
My favourite moments so far though have been working with film directors for short films. I love the film industry. I want to keep putting my foot in the door for many more of those in the days to come.
Do you sit down and just start writing songs or do they come to you when you least expect it?
The latter. Naturally an artist keeps a very open mind to everything around them. I read and hear this in interviews with other artists and it’s the same point every time. Nothing in music should be forced, neither an artist nor a song.
Is your music a representation of your life, or do you use it to distance yourself from what’s actually happening around you?
Both. I’m not the kind of person to write about his trip down to the fishing hole, Taj Mahal was very good at that and people loved him for it and sure it’s good to write about your experiences, sometimes your ghosts. Personally I think one’s life is a representation of life itself. What you do in this world is either worn on your sleeve or given to an artist’s fingertips. If music could distance me from reality all the time I would write anthologies.
Are there any bands/artists that have inspired your musical stylings?
I grew up listening to a lot of old Memphis, Tennessee soul music like Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, Don Covay and it was amazing music to listen too. My father introduced me to a lot of rock and contemporary jazz. Eric Clapton, Van Morrison, and John Lennon they were all there. Pretty soon I started studying blues and soul at school and learnt a lot about 1930s musicians like my favourites J.B Lenoir and Blind Willie Johnson.
But of late I have been lucky to learn a lot from Bill Withers and more presently Eagle-eye Cherry.
If you could do a duet with a musician who would it be?
How about a trio. I’d pull Jimi out of his grave and take him and Eric for a ride.
What advice do you have for others trying to make it into the music industry?
Believe in yourself, know your roots and listen to nothing but your heart. Your soul is the one place you will find home…
I’m a Taurean. I really don’t follow astrology but I think that makes me persistent and determined, right?
When you were a child, what did you want to grow up to be?
As a kid I think we all wanted to be more than one thing growing up. I went through many stages of learning and absorbing the world around me, being inspired by many things growing up but I never ventured far from art in all its forms.
Who was your greatest inspiration as a child?
James Marshal Hendrix, anyone who held a Stratocaster in their hands and had a mind for speaking.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
If I’m not working on new sounds and ways to express myself through music I spend time reading novels and watching old films and documentaries. I’m really enjoying documentaries about 1930’s-1950’s musicians at the moment.
What is your favourite meal?
That’s a difficult question. If I was to die tomorrow and could only have one more meal it would probably be Duck a l'orange, that would take me to another place.
Where and what would be your ultimate holiday?
Generally, I live a simple life. If I wanted to remember a time and place where I was truly happy the place would be right next to the one I share the world with and all the time in the world to spend it with her.
But, if you want a serious answer then it would be somewhere in a village on the southern coast of Italy with the sun on my face and a glass of Chianti in my hand.
What would you like to be doing five years from now?
Writing records that reach the streets and touch the souls of many who love and appreciate music.
Describe your new album 'One day...'
Daniel Johnston once said “Art will always be inspired by beauty”. The closest meaning for this debut album is that I wrote most of the songs about someone I fell in love with and was completely inspired by. I could have written so many more for this album but sometimes things can be better expressed with fewer words…
People speak of their aspirations in life and one day reaching that point of satisfaction and comfort to of achieved something. Well, for me this is my ‘One day…’
Which song on the album is your favourite and why?
To me they all had a significant part in portraying my feelings at the time.
If I was to be completely honest I would have to say that the weakest song on the album being the demo ‘Freckle on a thumb’ draws the most memories for me. It’s a very simple love song but it brought out the most smiles for me.
Describe the experience of releasing this debut album…
I promise you, it’s only just the start of my journey. I have learnt so much and am still learning as a musician.
This album was recorded back in 2005 and it took quite some time to find the right approach for the band and I to release.
I have been extremely fortunate to be surrounded by so many talented people and people who have such enthusiasm and insight into what we find ahead of us.
Ultimately, it was special.
Describe the experience of going on tour…
Well, basically the tour for the debut album hasn’t really started for the band and I yet. With our first shows in June and ending in July I imagine many different emotions will come. From previous shows here and overseas travelling is what makes an artist grow. You learn a lot on the road meeting other artists and the places you go. It’s something different. The Australian people usually get behind artists trying to find their place in this difficult industry but I am confident this visit to Australia for us will be the beginning of something special.
Is there a certain show that you have performed that is your favourite so far?
I think the festivals generally are electric. The anticipation and excitement that comes of seeing hundreds of people lining up to the fence to watch their favourite acts perform is amazing. It’s real.
My favourite moments so far though have been working with film directors for short films. I love the film industry. I want to keep putting my foot in the door for many more of those in the days to come.
Do you sit down and just start writing songs or do they come to you when you least expect it?
The latter. Naturally an artist keeps a very open mind to everything around them. I read and hear this in interviews with other artists and it’s the same point every time. Nothing in music should be forced, neither an artist nor a song.
Is your music a representation of your life, or do you use it to distance yourself from what’s actually happening around you?
Both. I’m not the kind of person to write about his trip down to the fishing hole, Taj Mahal was very good at that and people loved him for it and sure it’s good to write about your experiences, sometimes your ghosts. Personally I think one’s life is a representation of life itself. What you do in this world is either worn on your sleeve or given to an artist’s fingertips. If music could distance me from reality all the time I would write anthologies.
Are there any bands/artists that have inspired your musical stylings?
I grew up listening to a lot of old Memphis, Tennessee soul music like Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, Don Covay and it was amazing music to listen too. My father introduced me to a lot of rock and contemporary jazz. Eric Clapton, Van Morrison, and John Lennon they were all there. Pretty soon I started studying blues and soul at school and learnt a lot about 1930s musicians like my favourites J.B Lenoir and Blind Willie Johnson.
But of late I have been lucky to learn a lot from Bill Withers and more presently Eagle-eye Cherry.
If you could do a duet with a musician who would it be?
How about a trio. I’d pull Jimi out of his grave and take him and Eric for a ride.
What advice do you have for others trying to make it into the music industry?
Believe in yourself, know your roots and listen to nothing but your heart. Your soul is the one place you will find home…
Check out Julian’s website http://www.julianmcclung.com/ and myspace http://www.myspace.com/julianmcclung
~By Simone Saunders with thanks to Julian~
~Featured in Carve Monthly, June 2007
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