Words by Azren Paul

Recently, Melbourne songstress Julia Lostrom shared the visualiser for her bubbling new single, ‘Want It All Back’. Layering buttery-smooth, self-care lyrical wax over a hypnotising instrumental, the track reflects the same songwriting sophistication of an early Sabrina Claudio or Snoh Aalegra. We got the chance to speak to the Zambian-raised, Greek-born musician about her burgeoning career and visions for the future of her creative exploits.

I got the chance to speak to the Zambian-raised, Greek-born musician about her burgeoning career and visions for the future of her creative exploits.  

Futuremag Music: How did it feel releasing your latest single and what does this track signify in the larger context of your artistic vision?

Julia Lostrom: It felt so amazing to finally release music again. I took a year off to really focus on my craft and find my voice and the sound that resonated most with me. Both Max Glyde and Hamley have played such a significant role in allowing me to be vulnerable and creating a space for me to explore new things and for that I’m truly thankful. Max and I started our creative journey together about a year ago and we haven’t stopped creating since we met. He’s an incredible producer and I can’t wait to release more of what we’ve been cooking up this past year.

Futuremag Music: How do you approach conceiving new music? Do you begin with lyrics, a theme, or a particular sound?

Julia Lostrom: It really changes all the time. There’s not one formula or structure I stick to when I’m in the studio. I really try write from an intuitive place and let my heart and body lead. It can be something so simple as hearing a particular sound and all of a sudden my voice notes are filled with melodies and lyrical ideas or I might be going through something at the time and will focus on writing about that. Music really is my therapy though and I do a lot of healing through writing and creating.

Futuremag Music: Does your cultural heritage filter into your songwriting and vocal style?

Julia Lostrom: Oh 100%! Especially when it comes to vocal arrangements and harmonies. I’d have to say my Zambian roots gave that to me first and foremost. I come from a very musical family and was always in choirs and bands as a kid but my ear definitely came from my dad. He’s got one of my favourite voices in the world and singing with him is still one of my favourite things in the world. Zambian music is very communal and I think that’s why I love collaborating so much. Music is definitely a universal language though and I’m influenced by so many different styles and genres but going back to my roots and listening to Zambian or Greek music is always nostalgic and always inspires me.

Futuremag Music: Who is on your collaboration bucket list?

Julia Lostrom: Ohhh This is tough! I’d probably say my top five at the moment would be Emotional Oranges, Odie Lucky Daye, Galimatias and Chiild but I’d also love to work with Miraa May, Sabrina Claudio and Rosalia and do an all female boss anthem.

Futuremag Music: Do you have any creative goals outside of music?

Julia Lostrom: Definitely! My creativity doesn’t stop with music. I’m very much a visual creator just as much as a sonic one. I love fashion and creating visual concepts especially for my music videos… you should see my Pinterest boards, they go off. I’d love to collaborate with fashion brands at some stage and hopefully create a line of my own one day too. I’m also obsessed with scents so I’d love to create a fragrance or soy candle range at some point.

Long term though, I’d like to create a school for the arts back in Zambia. The schooling system in Zambia is incredible and I feel so blessed to have been able to experience it but there’s a real lack in the arts which is so crazy to me because of how natural music and art is to Zambian people. I’d love to one day create a little artistic hub and provide the technology to teach kids music production, video production and integrate technology with their already natural ability to create. There’s so much potential there, they just need the infrastructure.

Want More Music?