Profiling people that are working/living/breathing music in Chicago, we’re chatting with Julie Meckler, a singer/songwriter/actress who comes to Chicago via New York via Paris. Today we’re showing Chicago some much needed love.
* You’re from Paris, moved to New York in June of 2008 before settling in Chicago over a year ago. What was it about Chicago that made you feel like this could be home?
Chicago has everything that I like about America – good music, good people, and people who wanted me to be a part of their life. And it’s affordable to live here! And believe me you can get tired of Paris really easily.
* You survived your first blizzard! Still sure you made the right
choice by picking Chicago?
I did survive! During the winters in Chicago, when it’s not snowing, it’s blue blue blue – I love the light in Chicago, especially in the winter. I took a bunch of great pictures today.
* How has the city influenced your sound/music/lyrics?
The people who I’ve met here have influenced my sound a lot, especially the bands that I’m friends with – Musikanto, Curtis Evans, Jonny Rumble, etc – and obviously the people in my band – Brett Bakshis, Will Phalen and Shawn Rios. As far as my lyrics, being in exile, being far away (whatever that means), by myself in a foreign country, speaking a foreign language, it’s a big part of the new person I’ve become in Chicago. I think that whole feeling creeps into my lyrics.
* What’s up for 2011?
Finishing our first album and first of all trying to figure out what exactly I want it to be. Then we’ll release it and start promoting, hopefully touring. Brett Bakshis is our new manager, and I hope he’s going to book us a lot of summer festivals!
* And finally, the most important question: deep dish or thin crust?
Thin crust. Oh yeah. I need to find a good tomato sauce. That’s my big problem with pizza in the U.S. is the tomato sauce.
Julie Meckler will take the stage at Subterranean tomorrow night (Feb. 11) as part of Chicago’s own Grape Juice Records’ first installment in its 2011 Showcase Series. The series kicks off with a stacked line-up that includes: Rachele Eve, Jon Drake & the Shakes, and Chaperone. 9pm, $8, 21+
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I can’t wait for this show!
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[...] video landed in my inbox a couple days ago and I was surprised to learn that this was friend o’ the blog Julie Meckler‘s first music video – it is a hell of a video debut! [...]