Sherman Oaks-born singer-songwriter Julia Kate returns with her latest single 'truce', a tender and deeply introspective release that finds the 21-year-old artist at her most vulnerable. Written alongside longtime collaborator Nick Rosen, the song captures the moment she decides to stop fighting her own reflection with compassion. Soft, unflinching, and emotionally precise, 'truce' places its heart front and centre.
Raised on the diaristic honesty of Taylor Swift and shaped by the introspective tones of Lorde, Billie Eilish, and Lana Del Rey, Julia has steadily built a catalogue defined by specificity and emotional clarity. From her early EP just a kid to 2023’s 'yearbook' and a string of singles released throughout 2024 and 2025, she has continued to grow both her audience and her artistic voice.
So with the new single out now, we sat down with her to find out more about her origins and what has been inspiring her most over the years.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
I find it so funny that the first instrument I started taking lessons with was the violin. I did these after-school violin lessons at my elementary school in first grade. That did not last long, and I moved on to guitar lessons, and that was the instrument I stuck with for a while. But I truly fell in love with playing piano later in elementary school. I loved playing and singing at the same time. I thought I was so cool.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
I fell in love with pop music at a very young age. I feel Taylor Swift’s album 1989 changed my life and made me want to start writing songs.
What was the first album you remember owning?
The first album I remember owning was One Direction’s album Up All Night. That album was everything to me in second grade, and I still love One Direction forever!
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
I always wish I wrote “Happiness Is A Butterfly” by Lana Del Rey. Her lyrics and the song itself to me are the definition of perfect.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
I feel the way I always start a song always changes. Sometimes I am sitting in my bed on my computer, and lyrics come to my brain, and I have to write them down. I also sit at my piano and come up with chords first, then melody, then lyrics. My process always changes depending on my emotions and what story I want to tell. I enjoy connecting with an audience, and I hope the life experiences I write about resonate with others.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
At the moment, I am in a Charli XCX era with her new album for the Wuthering Heights movie. I am also loving DJO and Lorde.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
I would love to open for Olivia Rodrigo. I feel we would have similar fanbases, and I’m very inspired by her songwriting.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
I find the most rewarding part of being a musician is making something that you're so proud of. Once you are done and release it to the world its very vulnerable, like letting your child into the world. But I feel everything about being a musician is rewarding. I love performing and releasing my music.
And what is the most frustrating part?
I feel the most frustrating part of being a musician is that if I have a creative idea, but I'm not executing it the way I wanted it to be. But I have learned that starting over is not the end of the world.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
The best piece of advice I’ve received is don't be so focused on one path. People's careers go in so many different ways, and you have to be so flexible and go with the flow, but also enjoy it! You are doing what you love, and don't be so serious all the time.
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Julia Kate's new single 'truce' is out now. Watch the new video for it in the player below.