THE DEBOP QUESTIONNAIRE:

Julie Nichols

To jog your memory, here's how you answered your questionnaire:

Hi! What's your name?

Julie Nichols

How many years young are you?

39

Where did you grow up?

Deerfield, IL - northern suburb of Chicago

Where do you reside now?

Chicago

Do you gravitate more towards music melody rhythm or lyrics?

Melody or rhythm first, lyrics later.

Describe a formative music memory.

The first concert I went to was Merl Saunders and the Rainforest Band. I was about 11. I remember at one point in the second set they played this beautiful, ambient, soundscape-y exploration and asked everyone to lay on the floor and I thought it was the coolest thing ever. The whole communal music experience just blew my mind!

What was the first song you fell in love with?

Aside from silly children's songs, probably Blackbird and Julia off the White Album (when my parents lied and said i was named after the latter lol)

What was the first album you fell in love with?

Probably the White Album, but shortly after Time Out by Brubeck and Giant Steps. I also loved Grateful Dead The Arista Years !

Who were your favorite bands and artists during your teens/early 20s?

The Beatles, The Who, The Grateful Dead, Dave Brubeck, John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Tom Petty, Hendrix, Of course DMB and Rusted Root and Blues Traveler bc you had to.

On a scale of 1-5, how relevant are these earlier influences to your music taste now?

2 - Somewhat relevant, but not in obvious ways

Who are some of your favorite bands/artists now?

David Bowie, Fleet Foxes, Jim O'Rourke, Gentleman, Zella Day, Jazmine Sullivan, Elizabeth Moen, Sault

What changes have you noticed in your personality or sensibilities in the last few years?

I have become a much stronger and more honest person

What’s your current state of mind?

Open, curious, and little shaky about the future

When do you especially love listening to music?

When i'm walking, doing dishes, or on a weekend night in relaxing, and late at night.

Who’s an artist you recently discovered and loved

Haruomi Hosono, Waxahatchee, Jorja Smith, Labi Siffre, Silvana Estrada

How do you spend your days?

I work a lot! I'm a composer/creative director so I spend my days engaging with and creating music. Sometimes that makes me numb to music though, and I need new things to spark me.

What are you most excited about right now?

What comes next.

What are 3 words those closest to you would use to describe you?

Caring, Funny, Non Judgemental

What are 3 words you would use to describe yourself?

Fun, insecure, a bit fearful

Do you sing play any instruments or have you ever been in a band?

I sing BGVs, I play piano , and some drums and guitar/uke.

Are there any genres or themes you’d like to explore in this playlist?

I'd love a playlist that is specifically for morning. To ease me out of bed and into the day. Something I can put on first thing when I wake up, that can drag me out of sleep and inspire me into my day. I don't think it's bangers and high energy "lets get up and go!" stuff, or full ambient (maybe a little??) but maybe more introspective, mood elevating, engaging, compelling, makes you think and curious and excited. Tactile, unique, maybe in a different language, inventive and creative... you get it.

What are your favorite films? What draws you to these works?

Rushmore - the comedy, the tone, the heartbreak, the music

If your life were a TV show or movie what would your theme/main character song be, and why?

im terrible at questions like these - maybe my theme would be Other People's Parties by Joni Mitchell or anything off the Remi Wolff remix album "we love dogs"

Who are your favorite writers? What draws you to their works?

i barely read! but im reading The Ethical Slut right now!

What’s a challenge that you’ve faced recently?

a very brutal breakup

What’s an offbeat unorthodox or unique music-related opinion you have?

Bruce Hornsby is my favorite and most influential pianist

What’s your main source of music discovery these days?

spotify, recs from friends