Julianna’s debut album, Something Peculiar, was produced by Jeff Lynne (Traveling Wilburys, ELO), who met Raye through her cousin, composer, Michael Kamen. Lynne was so taken by her voice and songs, he offered to produce Julianna’s album. Signed to Warner Brothers by Lenny Waronker, Something Peculiar met with great critical acclaim. It was described by Spin magazine as “a pop rock diamond in the rough… Raye’s luminous voice and cinematic tales of love, dreams and life carry the day.” Something Peculiar was also voted one of NPR’s top ten records of the year.
In addition to singing on multiple Rufus Wainwright releases, Raye can be heard on Ryan Adams’ Gold, Demolition and 48 Hours and is featured on Van Dyke Parks’ tribute to Haruomi Hosono, Yellow Magic and the first single from his own project, Dreaming of Paris, Robin Danar’s Altered States, and singer/songwriter AM’s Side by Side. She can also be heard on Joe Cocker’s Hymn for my Soul, Tift Merrit’s Bramble Rose, Scott Thomas’ Lovers and Thieves and The Best is Yet to Come a tribute to Cy Coleman, in the company of Fiona Apple, Missy Higgens and Patty Griffin.
Julianna’s songwriting credits include collaborations with Rufus Wainwright, Ryan Adams, Ross Godfrey (Morcheeba), Joe Pisapia (KD Lang collaborator and producer), Courtney Jaye, Composers Michael Kamen and Paul Haslinger and writer/director Rod Lurie. Her years as a staff writer at Chrysalis Music also yielded many great collaborations with top charting Nashville and London based writers too numerous to name. One of her collaborative efforts, One Way Conversation, can be heard on the 2013 Courtney Jaye release produced by Mike Wrucke (Miranda Lambert.)
Raye’s music has been featured in many films and TV shows. Some highlights include Leaves Before Autumn from her Dominoes release, in Justin Timberlake’s In Time, Dewberry Wine, also from her Dominoes release, in the Charlize Theron film The Burning Plain. Director Rod Lurie asked her to co-write two songs, Land of Quiet Poems and Every Eden for his 2007 release, Resurrecting the Champ, starring Josh Hartnett and Samuel L Jackson (which she performed at the Sundance Film Festival). Holding All My Love for You, a song she co-wrote with composer Michael Kamen, is heard over the end credits to the Kevin Costner directed film, Open Range, starring Costner, Robert Duvall and Annette Bening. This wide range of styles represents Raye’s tremendous adaptability as a writer.
Says Raye, “I’ve spent a lot of my time in the music business searching and experimenting. I feel fortunate to have had that opportunity because of all the wondrous places I’ve been led. I’ve been exposed to an incredible diversity of experience and opportunities and I look forward to wherever my musical journey takes me next.”
In this episode Julianna Raye discusses how composers can use mindfulness to prime the mind for creativity.
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Other topics discussed include:
Anxiety Stress Physical health and well-being Recovering from setbacks Depression Accessing emotions for greater creative expression History of mindfulness Religion & mindfulness Creative Expression Navigating judgmental thoughts Maintaining focus Performance anxiety Preparing to meditateWebsites:
juliannaraye.com freemeditationlesson.com basicmindfulnessmeditation.com popgozen.comRecommended Listening:
Benjamin Britten, Knoxville: Summer of 1915Recommended Reading:
Madeline Bruser, The Art of Practicing: A Guide to Making Music from the HeartIn this episode's Engraver's Minute Nels teaches us about score indications. You can read more and see examples at the Engraver’s Minute website.
