Julie is an American shoegaze and noise rock band based out of Los Angeles, California that formed in 2019 and has been actively releasing music and performing since. The band is a three-piece that consists of Alex Elizabeth on vocals and bass, Dillion Lee on drums, and Keyan Pourzand on vocals and guitar.
Julie released a new album (which I absolutely adore) called, “my anti-aircraft friend” on September 13th of this year. I was hoping to get the privilege of hearing this new release live– and that I did. Julie put out an excellent performance; not only were they extremely versatile in their sound, but their ability to move the crowd both physically and emotionally was beyond exceptional. While many of the tracks they played had a slower and fuzzier feel, they also played equally as many tracks that were explosive, distorted, and noisy in personality. This was fantastic to witness, as they effortlessly managed to keep the crowd on their toes at all times; at one moment everyone was swaying side to side harmoniously and soaking up the sound, but the next, people were jumping, pushing, and spinning around with one another!
The one constant aspect of their music, if not their outstanding quality, is the atmospheric feel their sound has. The dreaminess of Elizabeth and Pourzand’s vocals combined with the immersive tones of their instruments and effect pedals creates an experience for the listener that can best be described as being wrapped in a warm, fuzzy blanket of noise. Though their sound has a very intimate feel, this atmospheric effect they have over their listeners also works to create a musical landscape, as it is very expansive and airy.
One part of the show that made my appreciation for Julie grow immensely was when the fog machines unexpectedly set off the fire alarm. Before anything, members stopped to make sure it was still safe for everyone to stay, to which they were cleared almost immediately. Once they continued their performance, the fire alarm ceased to stop. Julie, though having to play over a loud, off-tempo buzzing noise, still managed to play perfectly in time, and drowned out the sound of said alarm. This, to me, not only showed their commitment and dedication to their craft but to their fans as well. They ended off the show with an encore, where they played a song from their new debut album, and a fan favorite, “flutter,” as well. Everyone went absolutely crazy for this band, and it’s safe to say there are many reasons why.
Julie put on such a fantastic show and is totally a band worth watching if given the chance. They played at the Gothic Theatre in Englewood, Colorado on October 11th, 2024. For more information about the band, you can visit their Instagram, @julieband, or their website, myantiaircraftfriend.com.