Julia Bhatt’s “On My Shoulder” Should Be On YOUR Playlist

With a waterfall of curly hair, a guitar in her hands, and a wonderland of creativity in her, Julia Bhatt is one rising artist you can’t exclude from your radar. Every song she releases has an element of whimsy and fun, no matter the subject matter, and her latest single, “On My Shoulder,” is no different. The lyrics are witty and clever, creating a musical masterpiece that’s uniquely Julia. 

“It’s a song about duality and paths not taken, so it’s a little bit of a bittersweet song for me,” Julia tells TREMG. “It is fun to perform and it is one I’m lyrically proud of. ‘I got a devil on my shoulder with a chip on his’ has always been my favorite lyric, because it’s stupid but it’s so clever to me. It’s the line that inspired me to write the rest of the song.”

“On My Shoulder” follows the bouncy “Cotton Candy” as a riveting pre-release single for Julia’s upcoming debut album, it is what it is. Coming off the tails of her 2020 EP 2 Steps Back, this album will dive into her story like never before and really introduce us to who Julia Bhatt is as a person and a dynamic artist. And lucky for us, we’ll get to hear the track Julia is most excited to show the world when she releases “Karma” on May 25th! 

“I wouldn’t say I felt pressure because we took our time making it,” Julia admits. “But releasing anything that you create is scary, so releasing a whole bunch of it is really(!) scary. I think it is truly a diverse album, though. It has a lot of personality. Hopefully that’s how it reflects to listeners.”

You can find “On My Shoulder” on your favorite streaming services now, and get to know Julia Bhatt on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter! Keep reading for more from our conversation with the thoughtful singer-songwriter, and be sure to watch out for “Karma” when it comes out on May 25th.

Congrats on your recent single, “On My Shoulder!” What does the song mean to you?

It’s a song about duality and paths not taken, so it’s a little bit of a bittersweet song for me. It is fun to perform and it is one I’m lyrically proud of. 

Is there a certain lyric on “On My Shoulder” that you’re particularly proud of?

“I got a devil on my shoulder with a chip on his” has always been my favorite lyric, because it’s stupid but it’s so clever to me. It’s the line that inspired me to write the rest of the song.

You’ll be releasing your debut album, it is what it is, this July. Did you feel a sense of pressure while you were writing the album to make sure it’s the best representation of your art that it could be?

I wouldn’t say I felt pressure because we took our time making it, but releasing anything that you create is scary, so releasing a whole bunch of it is really(!) scary. I think it is truly a diverse album, though. It has a lot of personality. Hopefully that’s how it reflects to listeners. 

“On My Shoulder” touches on the idea that there are two opposing sides to everyone. Do you feel that the it is what it is album shows both sides of you?

“On My Shoulder” is about conflicting feelings and a lot of the time it’s more than just two. I would say the album is more like a dodecahedron, every song is quite different and shows a different face.

How soon after releasing your 2 steps back EP did you start planning out what songs would be on it is what it is? Did you approach the album creation/curation differently than you approached the EP?

Not really. My producer and I were working on a ton of new music, obviously with the intent of putting together an album, but not designating songs for it. Once we had enough songs to make an album, we just picked the best ones! 

Which song on it is what it is are you most excited for fans to hear? 

Definitely “Karma.” It’s one of my oldest songs and it’s one of my favorites. I’m excited to finally have it out after all this time. 

Who were some of your influences on the album’s sound?

So many!!! Each song could have a playlist of influences (and some do). It ranges from The Magnetic Fields to The Shins to Inner Wave, etc. 

If it weren’t for COVID-19, what would your dream single and album release cycle/promotions look like? 

I truly don’t understand what you’re saying to me. I am simple and I’m sorry for that!

We at TREMG love getting to know new artists who haven’t yet gotten the success or attention they deserve. Who are some of your favorite underrated artists at the moment?

Binki and Wet Leg!

Is there anything else you’d like to mention that the questions didn’t touch on?

Y’all are great! Thanks for chatting with me.