Interview with Pop Artist Zhuli on New Single ‘Speed Dial’

MuzicNotez: First off, it’s an honor to be doing this interview with you, thanks for taking the time to sit down with us. What motivated you to start creating music? What age did you begin?

Zhuli: I played music from a young age, but really got into songwriting from 12 years old. I love creating music, but I have to give credit to my mum for my motivation. She heard one song and then kept encouraging me to write more.

I think my relationship with creating music has deepened over the years though, now it’s my go-to for processing anything I’m feeling. I don’t understand a reality where I’m not writing songs.

Who were your musical influences, idols, or bands growing up that have helped mold you into the musician you are today? Or helped mold the music that you create?

Zhuli: They’re all over the place. My mum wasn’t particularly musical, but my step-dad was a piano salesman so I grew up adjacent to a lot of musical people. I listened to a lot of jazz as a kid – Nat King Cole, Duke Ellington, Norah Jones, etc., but i’ve always loved pop music. So Fresh was my go to, then youtube music videos, bands my friends were listening to, movie soundtracks, etc. I actually found a lot of the music i love and was inspired by because a friend in year 8 wanted to make mixtapes for each other. We made mixtapes for like two years, and we put so much effort into it. She introduced me to the neighbourhood, lana del rey, the 1975, and I was also discovering a lot of new music because I knew I had to make the mixtape for her.

What’s the ultimate goal you want your music to achieve, or for you to achieve in your career as a musician? Any particular message you wish to send?

Zhuli: There was one point where my ultimate goal was simply to make a living off music, which I ended up achieving. I think it’s important that the goalposts are always moving, so I’m not really sure I have an ultimate goal right now. I definitely want to tour internationally, I’d love to play Coachella or Glastonbury, hitting a million streams on a song on Spotify would be great! It’s always been important to me that people connect with my music, in all the different forms that it comes out of me. At the moment, I’m focusing on getting my songs out in the world and in front of the people that want to connect with it as best as I can, and making sure I’m ready for whatever opportunities come my way.

What’s the greatest concert you’ve ever been to or performed?

Zhuli: I go to so many concerts, it’s hard to pick the greatest! I definitely loved seeing Charli XCX in 2018, 100gecs a few years ago had the most electric energy in their audience, UPSAHL supporting Melanie Martinez in February this year was also amazing for so many reasons! I haven’t performed much honestly, but I hope I’ll have a cool performance story soon.

Your latest release is ‘Speed Dial’, which is doing well! What inspired this track, and how did it come to be?

Zhuli: Speed Dial was written after a bit of a writing hiatus. I hadn’t written in over 6 months and I came into the session itching to write. Harry came up with a beat really quickly and Speed Dial poured out of me. It’s really light and fun, which reflects the beat, and it’s kinda about flirting with someone which i think really suits the space of silliness that the song sits in.

Zhuli is your alter ego from what we read on your Spotify bio, what led to this particular project? How would you describe your sound?

Zhuli: Zhuli embodies a love that I have for pop music, so my sound leans heavily pop. My producer, Harry, is a big part of the sound, and he was showing me PC music, SOPHIE, Charli XCX in the early days we were working together. I think our similar music tastes led to this project, and after lockdown made me realize there’s no point in waiting, we started to release and Zhuli was born.

I call her an alter ego but it’s really just me, and as I release and create more I’m really locking in on my identity so I’m enjoying the ride!

When listening to you, it’s clear you’re different and have your own sound. But, in your eyes, what sets you apart from other pop artists today? What makes you unique?

Zhuli: I think I’m unique in the way that every artist is unique. I have my own voice and my own perspective that I want to share, I really enjoy being a little different with the production and the songwriting, but really i just love creating and I don’t think about it that deeply. I do think my voice and phrasing is unique, but I also get compared to a lot of other singers so who knows. All I can say is that I am so passionate about creating, releasing, writing, performing my own music, and I know that drive will keep me growing and creating, and maybe that perseverance will set me apart.

What else are you working on? What can we expect to see and hear from you in the future?

Zhuli: My next single ‘Bad Enough’ comes out august 7th! It’s a driving dance-pop anthem about being on a different page from someone you’re dating and not being seen in the relationship. It’s lots of fun and I’m so proud of it, it’s been something I’ve been writing about for ages and I think this song sums it up pretty nicely for me.

I’ve also got a few more releases planned for the rest of the year! And early next year I’ll be dropping an EP. I’m really looking forward to it, and I can’t stress this enough when I say it’s just the beginning. Thanks!

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