Three albums that inspired the life and career of Julia Jacklin
Having released three solo albums, Australian singer-songwriter Julia Jacklin has solidified her place in the record collections of indie music aficionados. Blending raw, heartfelt lyricism with gentle, indie folk melodies, Jacklin has crafted an intimate sound, captivating the hearts of young women and seasoned music fans alike.
Jacklin’s music delves into personal narratives of existence, romance, and grief, set against gentle musical landscapes, reflecting a deeply personal artistic style. Yet, despite this distinctiveness, Jacklin has acknowledged an eclectic array of influences over the years, spanning from pop icon Britney Spears to the revered folk legend Leonard Cohen.
While browsing through the vinyl collection at Ra Ra Rok Records in Camden for Loud and Quiet, Jacklin reminisced about her earliest musical inspirations. She recounted: “I grew up with like, really old stuff like Andrews Sisters and Doris Day and that kind of thing.”
However, along with older music, Jacklin has also previously discussed being exposed to acts like Billy Bragg and The Cure and growing an appreciation for musicians like Christina Aguilera. Although it seems like Jacklin could discuss her influences for hours, maybe days – a true testament to her eclectic artistry – she once condensed her musical favourites into just three albums that changed her life.
Speaking with Howl & Echoes, the first record she picked was Fiona Apple’s Extraordinary Machine. Jacklin has praised Apple before, so this choice makes complete sense: “My first love introduced me to this album when I was about 15,” she said. “I’d just never really heard anything like it before. I think it was the lyrics that really got me. She talks about love in such a unique way, I appreciate it even more now that I’m older. ‘Not About Love’ was the first song I ever performed on stage with guitar at an open mic night in Glebe. I sang ‘Parting Gift’ for a year 11 school performance and I covered ‘Extraordinary Machine’ in my first band. It’s been with me for a while.”
Released in 2005, Extraordinary Machine bears the hallmarks of Apple’s distinctive style — a blend of introspective lyrics, unconventional melodies, and expressive vocals. In contrast, Jacklin picked Radiohead’s Kid A as her second choice, an album that she also discovered in her early teenage years. “At that age I was just kind of pretending to like things and pretending to hate things based on other peoples opinions,” she admitted. “I didn’t really know what I liked. Then I heard ‘Idioteque’ and my mind was forever blown!”
The third pick, which will probably surprise no one, is the multi-talented Anna Calvi. Calvi has been celebrated for her remarkable skill as a guitarist, alongside her commanding, expansive operatic contralto vocals and occasional androgynous stage persona. “I haven’t listened to [Anna Calvi] in ages but it came at a perfect time for me a few years ago,” Jacklin explained.
Adding: “I had trained as a soprano and I guess I had always thought I had to sing like a little girl or something, that I had to play pretty, non confrontational music in order for people to like me. Then I heard this and it just gave me some strength, to get a bit louder, sing a bit lower, not worry too much if people didn’t like what I was doing.”
