18.04.2025

Maha Amsterdam Meets Ju-lia

In a world that rarely slows down, Julia moves with a kind of quiet intensity, intentional, intuitive, and deeply grounded in her art. As part of our collaboration with adidas Originals, we’re proud to highlight Julia as Our Original, an artist whose creativity is as honest as it is powerful. We sat down with the rising talent to talk about staying grounded, embracing vulnerability, and the inner conversations that shape her music. From the emotional roots of her songwriting to the healing ritual of cooking, Julia shares what it means to stay soft, strong, and entirely true to herself.

' Who is someone that inspires you in a quiet, personal way - not for the world, just for you? - My future self.'

 

How do you stay grounded and protect your creativity in a world that moves so fast?

By choosing peace over pace, giving my creativity the space to unfold, and surrounding myself with people I can genuinely trust with my art. 

Your aesthetic is so distinct - how does fashion or visual storytelling play into your music?

 I’ve always been very determined when it comes to the visual aspect of my music. I have a highly visual thought process, especially during my writing. My brain translates every melody or lyric into a vision, which naturally sets the mood for the rest of the song. However, my perfectionism often makes it difficult for me to bring those visions to life — hence why I haven’t released any music videos for Road To Remedy laughs. 

 
 

You've said before that you write when you're in your most raw and vulnerable states. How do you take care of that version of yourself — the one behind the lyrics?

By having conversations with myself, I’m constantly finding myself. Writing helps me process and release a lot of emotions. I’ve also learned to distance myself from situations, places, and people that distract me from staying focused on the world I’ve created for myself. 

There's a quiet confidence in how you move — soft-spoken, but so sure. Where does that strength come from?

It’s funny you say that, because although I’ve always been aware of my creativity, I’m only now beginning to recognize my worth. I’ve always trusted my abilities, but I never truly believed in my dreams, I used to think they were too big. My accomplishments continue to remind me of how talented and authentic I am, which fuels my confidence, but I remain committed to staying humble. 

When you listen back to your old songs, how do they make you feel?

I feel a mix of nostalgia, release, and reassurance. I’ve grown a lot since my first single, both mentally and musically. Some of these songs were written during moments of pain that once felt endless, which now brings me a sense of comfort. It’s a reminder that no matter how lost or low we feel, we’ll always find a way out. I also find it really interesting to go over the timeline of my sound and hear the progress and growth over time.

Is there a song that changed you while you were making it?

Yes, I have an unreleased song coming this year called "Insane," and it’s by far one of my proudest works. I wrote a verse in French as an ode to my family and childhood. It not only brought me closer to those memories but also opened the door to a new project.

   

What's something you've started doing for yourself lately - big or small?

This isn’t something I just recently picked up on, but one thing I’ve been doing religiously for myself is cooking. It’s my therapy, my moment of peace, my form of self-care. I could spend an entire day in the kitchen while blasting my favorite playlist on max volume. 

Is there a woman in your life who’s taught you something you carry into your music? 

So many different women inspire me in countless ways, both spiritually and musically. My mother taught me honesty, my grandma taught me authenticity, Amy Winehouse taught me pain, Jill Scott taught me storytelling, Jazmine Sullivan taught me technique, Christina Aguilera taught me attitude, Beyoncé taught me sensuality, Erykah Badu taught me wordplay and the list goes on…      

If someone were to really understand you through one song, which would it be?

I feel like you’d have to go through all of them to uncover every layer haha, but if I had to choose one (released) song, it would be R2R (Intro), it’s the most personal one so far.

Is there a song that almost didn’t make it out - one you weren’t sure you were ready to share?

Berlin was actually one of the demos I struggled with writing. It frustrated me so much that I put it aside for a while. But when my producer (Nu_Tone) and I reopened the file in Paris on a rainy, emotionally unstable summer day, something sparked in me—and my pen did the rest. I did revisit the lyrics a few times, trying to make the story less obvious, but ultimately decided to leave it in its pure form. It's still my favourite song from the EP.

 

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Talent: Julia Van Ee | Photographer: Willemskantine | MUAH: Laura Yard

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