Halifax-based folk-pop singer-songwriter Julia Cunningham releases her new album, Dive Deep, today on Bandcamp.
All of the songs are soft and reflective at their core, but some of them also swell with some of the emotions they wrangle with. – Julia Cunningham
In this Q&A, we learn more from Julia about herself and the album.
You can learn more about Julia and her new album at juliacunninghammusic.com or follow her on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Bandcamp.
This interview has been edited.
Please introduce yourself to our readers.
I’m a singer-songwriter born and raised in Halifax. My music is in the folk-pop world, somewhere along the lines of Tim Baker or Amelia Curran. I’ve been writing music for a long time, but it was only in the last couple of years that I really took the plunge to do some formal recording, so I’m really stoked to finally have some finished songs to share with folks.
How do you describe Dive Deep?
I think Dive Deep showcases a range of what you can expect from me right now, from some full arrangements and “big” feeling songs to some stripped-down acoustic guitar and vocal-only tunes, which is where all of my songs begin. All the songs are soft and reflective at their core, but some also swell with some of the emotions they wrangle with.
Why Dive Deep as the title?
Dive Deep is the name of one of the songs on the EP. In that song, diving deep refers to going for it, laying it all out, putting yourself out there and embracing all of what comes with that, so it felt fitting as a name for a first official project.
What was the inspiration for the album? Is there a theme?
I’m not sure the album has an overarching theme except for the classic loves and losses of being a 20-something. It’s a collection of songs about vulnerability, branching out, crashing into adulthood head-on, and figuring out a place in the middle of it all. My aim for the album was to be a snapshot of what I currently have to offer. I’ve got many more tunes written up my sleeve where these five came from.
What is your favourite song to perform off the album, and why?
Probably Home, especially when I’m performing it as a trio alongside Melissa Comeau and Christiane Theriault. I’m such a sucker for a three-part harmony, and as fun as it is to get the energy up in a crowd, my favourite moments are the soft and feelsy ones.
What’s next for Julia?
More shows, more recording. I’m considering this project as just the beginning and hoping to hop on stage at some local festivals this summer and keep the ball rolling with more tunes coming out in the next year.
You can learn more about Julia and her new album at juliacunninghammusic.com or follow her on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Bandcamp.