Hey guys! So this week i’m obsessing over Julean and the Rai, the ever-changing band headed up by (coincidentally) Julean Rai. The sound varies from relaxing to heart-stopping, Julean has a voice that will really make you LISTEN, and if you give it a chance, I promise at least one of his songs will steal your heart Okay, I’ll quit being all emotional and sappy. The vlog and playlist will be up later tonight (or tomorrow morning?), but I got the pleasure of interviewing Julean via Skype this week and I couldn’t wait any longer to share it with you guys! *SPOILERS* turns out “95.676%” of his songs are about girls (think he should write one about me? lol!), he’s a former member of MENSA, and he’s got two new albums coming up! Wow! Check the link at the bottom to buy/listen to some of his stuff and let me know what you think! See ya next week!

XXXO

Hailey Q

LINKS!

http://www.facebook.com/juleanandtherai

http://juleanandtherai.bandcamp.com/album/alexandria-falling

Follow them on twitter @juleanandtherai

and follow Julean @juleanrai

**INTERVIEW WITH JULEAN RAI**

Julean Rai: Hey Hailey –

Hailey Q: Hey Julean!
Julean Rai: Hey there –
Hailey Q: It’s great to finally catch you on! how are you?
Julean Rai: I’m doing well, how are you doing?
Julean Rai: I caught your blog — you seem like a busy girl lol
Hailey Q: Pretty good! I try to keep pretty busy
Hailey Q: Ok so I noticed you’re the only
regular member of Julean and the Rai. Are there any other
members that make regular appearances?
Julean Rai: The only regular member, yeah. Over
the years, the band part comes and goes. There was Lee
Dockery, Todd Jensen, and Sol between 1999-2001. Then
a few players in Tucson circa 2005-6, like Dave Mason and
– then later, in New York it was Wayne Van Zee on drums,
Mikey on backup vocals and percussion (on the live album)
and also Lev Pelekh on bass (same album). Europe found
me doing pretty much mostly solo work.
Julean Rai: But for me, it seems keeping a band together has
always been about as easy as keeping a relationship together.
Except it’s like having … I dunno … three to six girlfriends at
once; and then *they* all have to get along. These days I’d like
to work with an all-girl band, except for myself, because I figure
if it’s gonna’ be like that, then — why not?
Hailey Q: haha, exactly! That makes sense.
Hailey Q: When I listen to your albums like “The Muse Tree”
and “Darlene” I get an indie/folk vibe…what genre do you
personally identify your music with?
Julean Rai: That would be it. I dunno — “Folk Rock” sounds
too light for my overall fare. Because I mean, when you get into
albums like “Alexandria”, as well as the more recent upcoming
albums, they’re probably more fusion, or indie, than folk –
respectively
Julean Rai: And most of the people I’m compared to a lot, like Ray
Lamontagne or M Ward, or Ryan Adams — they’re in the same
community genre. But I think the radio classifies us as “Adult
Alternative” hahaha
Hailey Q: I see. I love the sound, especially the strictly
instrumental “Alexandria, Falling”. Did you compose all of those
yourself?
Julean Rai: I did.
Hailey Q: Nice!
Hailey Q: What inspired you to write them?
Julean Rai: Alexandria started out as an improvised
instrumental work I composed when I was doing some
odd left-hand / right-brain training in 1999. Musicially, it was
sort of a wake-up call at the time (did I just play that? kind
of thing). Lyrically, it kind of got inspired by
some deeper political / sociological beliefs I had at the
time that have evolved since; and also partly inspired by
the girl I was dating at the time who
had decided that she was getting off of her medication
and that nothing was wrong with her. We talked a lot
about the over-medication of society and the like, and
I guess it kind of went from there. I remember I actually
started writing it sitting there, with her, at the Perkins in Colorado.

Later, once the song evolved and became too long to play
at most shows (15 minutes on average), even though it was
kind of a listener favorite, I started thinking about splitting it up
into its major themes and making a concept album out of it; which is
what I did, more or less. It was all built off
of the main song (1:1 Alexandria, Falling) so when I play it live
today, it’s a combination of that, the Theme, “Longest Arm”,
“Man of Two Faces” and “Closing”. I rarely play the other parts
live these days.
Julean Rai: A lot of “Alexandria” became more distinct when I
picked up more traditional Egyptian and Indian music and rhythms,
primarily supporting belly dancers in Tuscon around 2003-5, or so
Hailey Q: awesome! So is “Darlene” another album inspired by
a girl you dated?
Julean Rai: Ah; it is haha
Julean Rai: But in this case, it isn’t about just one particular girl
Julean Rai: There’s “Darlene” herself, mentioned in that work, as
well as in Like This and The Way That Leaving Goes on the Muse
album. There’s another, nameless girl (that I call Guenivere in a
different album), mentioned in The Roots and Like This, as well as
in Here. Star is only in The Dance. The girl from Sin is unique — that
songs about her, and Mountains of Anastasia is written *to* her …
and then there’s Laura, from Without the Kiss and A Wedding for
Laura, who I’m actually still friends with today –
Julean Rai: I think 95.676% of my music, in retrospect, is probably
about a girl,more or less.
Hailey Q: isn’t most music? lol
Julean Rai: Every artist needs his muse; I need several lol
Hailey Q: so are there any other bands/artists that influence you??
Julean Rai: I don’t really keep a lot of heroes; I don’t believe in them.
I feel as if we’re all exactly the same, fundamentally, though. But a few
particular people have made it on that shortlist, if there is one, I think.
I really look up to Peter Gabriel, and he’s not only a big influence
emotionally, as a writer, but also when I look to the future at what I
can become. He’s alive, awake, aware, and himself. Publically full
of love, concern, heart and connection. And humor. The same
would be true for others on that list, like David Bowie, Taj Mahal,
Richie Havens, Tori Amos.
Julean Rai: But slightly more recent bands, like the Counting Crows
are a definite fave — I think Adam and I have something in common
as writers. And Damien’s “Blowers Daughter” blew me away when
I first heard it. And Norah Jones is definitely on that list, as well.
Hailey Q: I’m addicted to Norah Jones! You guys both made my
“Chill Out” playlist lol
Julean Rai: lol Yah; she’s on mine, too –
Julean Rai: But I always hear people that inspire me, though I don’t
know who they are. Or they aren’t that famous yet. I credit most
of my playing style to a guy named Steve Maymo,
from Dayton back in 1996. And I picked up some playing cues from
Foscoe Jones and Shane Bartell, in Austin, as well years later.
Hailey Q: are you currently signed to any label?
Julean Rai: I am … thinking of starting my own.
Julean Rai: i’ve had a few label offers, but I really feel like I’m
just too independent and spontaneous to go that route. I mean,
unless we’re talking a real “indie label family” kind of thing. I haven’t
had any offers from any of those at this time –
Julean Rai: For most of the last 10 years or so, I’ve been handling
publishing, tour management, merchandising, studio work and production,
rights management, radio play, band management; all by my lonesome.
haha But it kind of makes me think that with all of the great indie folk players
I encounter, I could easily find 2-3 for a short roster and start an indie
label family of my own
Julean Rai: Oh, and one thing… The guys / girls that set this interview up –
I do have some support, but I just wouldn’t call it a label. These are the
folks only recently that have kind of made it a point to get me to stop working
on my own, lol. If I didn’t give them a mention, they’d kill me, haha
Hailey Q: that sounds awesome! there’s a real shortage of indie labels nowadays.
Julean Rai: But that’s [starting a label] not decided yet. I’m actually considering going
major label lately, as these are also the guys with the resources to really push
an album and an artist
Julean Rai: So I’m half-half right about now
Hailey Q: got it!
Hailey Q: ok, last question. Just for fun.
Julean Rai: sure
Hailey Q: Quick, five things you want Audiogazm readers to
know about Julean Rai!
Julean Rai: Oh, crap
Julean Rai: Hm. Okay, well — let’s see
Julean Rai: I like to travel, and I don’t like to make plans or
answer to anyone for it.
Possibly once or twice a year, I’ll spend 11-15 weeks absolutely
minimized and living a “road trip” life. I don’t how long that can last,
but — it’s highly addictive and exciting. I just can’t do it as much anymore
because people recognize me in the strangest places.
Julean Rai: Working on two new albums right now:
“Secrets and Stains” and “The Taos Merchants”.
I hope to record and release them at the same time,
“Taos” as an EP. I also hope to skip recording demos first, as that
takes forever.
Julean Rai: I am … a classically trained singer with a musical theatre
background, but I’ve gotten more introverted as a songwriter, so
don’t go expecting any showtunes anytime soon
Julean Rai: Hm. One more thing, huh?
Hailey Q: yep!
Julean Rai: I am … or was, a member of MENSA, but I rarely
pay the dues anymore. Okay, that’s five, haha
Hailey Q: whoa! I wasn’t expecting that one!
Julean Rai: Yah, I grew up a child prodigy; but that was a different life lol
Hailey Q: Well thank you so much for the interview!
It’s been a pleasure talking to you
Julean Rai: You too, Hailey
Julean Rai: And don’t party too hard
Hailey Q: lol no promises

Read the original post @ AudioGaZm

Nearly a week past the expected re-release date, the studio remastering process is still underway.  Some of these tracks, recorded in an artist studio and in challenging acoustic conditions, are looking at more cleanup than others, while the rest have yet to see the light of day because they aren’t — as I see it — finished.

Preliminary album cover for the 2011 release of "Darlene", by Julean and the Rai

[Listen to the "Darlene" Album @ Bandcamp]

When I released the “Here.” version, I was eager and anxious to get those songs into circulation, and I’m glad I did.  Those releases, however, were essentially just the dry mixes and takes of each session, mixed as quickly as possible for release.  At the same time, on returning to the United States and needing to start the review process for each album I let go of in Europe, these tracks deserve more attention and care to truly become as close as they’re going to become to what I originally envisioned.

Original album cover for the "Darlene" LP's European release "Here."

Some of you might notice new instruments added to some recordings, while others are being cleaned and “shined”.  The U.S. release should, in the end, give me a feeling of completion for this part of the story (“Darlene”) so that I can move on to the next two concurrent albums “Secrets and Stains” and “The Taos Merchants”, something that I’ve been looking forward to for a while.

Parts III and IV of the nine-album story have been waiting for proper recording sessions throughout, and in the meantime the songs for parts V through VIII have been enjoying demos, live performances, and the like.  I’m beginning to feel very … behind

What are the remaining seven albums to come?  Well, I’ll tell you … I’ll even give you the alternate titles for each:

I – The Muse Tree (The Fool) - Written 1995-1996; Released 2007, re-released 2011 (Listen @ Bandcamp)
II – Darlene (Here.) - Written 1996-1997; Released 2008, re-released 2011 (Listen @ Bandcamp)
III - Secrets and Stains (The Dark) – Written 1998; TBA
IV – The Taos Merchants (Leaving Gomorrah) – Written 1999-2000; TBA
V - Texas (Fall from Grace) - Written Written 2000-2001; TBA
VI – Effortless (A False Start) – Written 2005; TBA
VII – New York State (The Arrival) – Written 2006; TBA
VIII – When I’m Gone (The Candy EP) – Written 2007; TBA
IX – Salvaged Dementia (Final Journeys) - Written 2008-present; TBA

That’s right; these songs are, for the most part, ancient — while the songs for the ninth and final album in the series are the only songs still being crafted and tooled.  One might also notice that “Alexandria, Falling” is not in this list; namely because “Alexandria” is considered a detour of sorts.  Experimentation on my part — there’s no real intended contribution to the “Muse Tree” storyline.

The track list for each should be up and online soon enough.  Some of these songs have already been recorded either in live form or as a demo, such as “On the Way to Boulder” and “Some Plans” from Secrets and Stains (featured on the Logical Muse and Some Plans EP, respectively), “Go On” and “Effortless” from Effortless (featured on the Live at the Green Tortoise and Disconnect EP, respectively), “Candy” and “Long, Long Walk” from the Live at the Baggot Inn EP — both belonging to the When I’m Gone album — and of course the songs from The New York State Demos that belong to the album New York State.  A few songs from Salvaged Dementia are also performed on the Live at the Lizard King and Live at the Green Tortoise albums, as well.

The official Julean and the Rai store at Bandcamp is also a work in progress, as it requires that a lot of this older material be remastered for quality so that it belongs in the store.  Several of the albums at this point — such as Some Plans, The New York State Demos, Live at the Lizard King, Live at the Green Tortoise and Disconnect — remain hidden from public view until this process has been completed.

In the meantime, I’ve moved all of the ready and salesworthy tracks and existing material to the official store at Bandcamp.  I placed it there to make sure that it stays up and active, and automated, as well to provide full-track streams and instant downloads as long as the site remains.  Bandcamp is where it’s at.  Literally.

[View the Julean and the Rai Bandcamp store]

At the moment, back in San Diego to finalize all of this and prepare for the upcoming March 29th show at the House of Blues.  Aside from these projects, it has mainly been a period of downtime; though I have taken my music to the street on several occasions since coming here, performing for the bar crowd, exercising the voice and the arm and trying out new songs on the most difficult and unforgiving of audiences — selling album downloads just as I did in Europe before the tour.  I may, in fact, be doing that tonight…

And that’s a good-bye and goodnight for me, for now –

Now living on the Mexico beach, seeking both inspiration and quiet to remaster the “Here.” tracks for a proper release, plans are now underway for a 6-week tour through the state of California. Keep posted for more information here as I have it.

The new release this year, “Darlene“, is a remastered version of 2008′s previous European release, “Here.“, an import that I let go of hastily and was out of my hands before I had time to really work on the masters.  ‘Darlene‘, hopefully, contains the kind of tracks and “finished” sound that I expect in a real release, and I’ve managed to complete the first two tracks from those masters; both tracks are available on both SoundCloud and BandCamp, for streaming and for sale, respectively.  The goal is to complete the album masters by mid-march, and I am currently working towards being done with these by that timeline.

As “Here.” was never truly released to the public officially — save for hand-to-hand sales at shows in Poland and Romania, this will give me the chance to properly distribute this album and focus on the next two or more, resources allowing.  Several of the songs, at the same time, have been making the rounds; specifically “Darlene” and “Sin”.

Performing at places like the Latitud 32 above, Julean lives on the beaches of Tijuana while working on the remasters from the "Here." album.

My time in Mexico has been a coincidence, and a month later I actually find myself missing the States … (a little bit).  As usual, it takes me a little while to fully get my brain around a new currency (just imagine walking into a grocery store and seeing $240 for *anything* … ).  I’ve managed a few shows here in this current city but spend most of my time near the beach, being solitary or spending time with new friends, whichever is applicable for the mood I’m in.  January found me performing a lot in the cafes along the beach.  I never pay for coffee anymore.  Meals are ‘on the house’.  The people in Mexico are a very giving and very appreciative of music and their makers.  This month much of my time is spent these days organizing and mastering the ‘Laura’ album, and now doing research for a California tour.

This tour should begin with one (confirmed) show at the House of Blues in March, in downtown San Diego.  It’s just a showcase performance, so I thought it might be worthwhile to use the Spring to my advantage.  What do you guys think?  If there are any California listeners out there, be sure to let me know and I can look into booking shows in your town.

Either way, you can track live upcoming Julean and the Rai performances at SongKick; you’ll know the minute that I do.  Or maybe a few seconds later.

Julean Rai; beardy and in-cognito in San Francisco

I’ll be performing on the ballroom stage at the Green Tortoise Hostel in North Beach on the day after Christmas, the 26th of December.  More details will be posted in the gig area.  For now, I’m still here, and I’ve run into a few busy listeners here in SF; would love to run into a few more.

So if you see me, flag me down — I’m all beard-y and incognito, always carrying the guitar with me wherever I go.  Generally hard to miss.  I’ll give you a personal copy of the CD and we can grab some beers at Vesuvio off of Broadway.

And without making any grand promises, I’m considering a few features that might be useful here. All tracks made available, of course, to start. A travel journal so you guys can keep up with me. And maybe a forum to touch base and stay connected with each other, and with me.

As I always have, I appreciate your kind words and appreciation of what I make and do, and am doing this to make sure we always have a place to come to; myself included. Expect a slew of updates to get started, as I move all of the older information here, to the blog. From there on out, I will update everybody as I can.

Take care, everyone, and hope to see you ‘out there’ while I’m traveling about –

Julean Rai