Singer, songwriter and composer Julia Holter is best known for her work as a solo artist, most notably her 2013 release Loud City Song, which garnered critical acclaim as well as inclusion on various year-end lists. Filled with chamber-pop arrangements that betray her background as a composition major, Holter's music is filled with intricate instrumentation and haunting vocal melodies. Though she's currently working on her next record, Holter will be joining local chamber music ensemble Spektral Quartet to perform composer Alex Temple's latest piece, "Behind the Wallpaper," at Constellation on Thursday. We chatted with Holter about her upcoming performance.
What was the impetus behind this collaboration with Spektral Quartet and composer Alex Temple?
I know Alex and some of the members of Spektral Quartet from my time attending CalArts, so I've been in touch with them since then. About three years ago, Alex suggested that I also get involved with some of the music that she was composing for the group. I said "sure" and she started writing some songs for me. Everything she writes for me really fits my voice. It's really cool—I can tell that she studied how I sing.
During the recording of your last album you began collaborating in the studio after years of working alone. What did you learn from interacting with other musicians?
I haven't started rehearsing with Spektral Quartet yet, but it was very good for me to work with musicians while I was making my record because it forced me to grow accustomed to communicating. When you make music on your own for so long, you get used to just doing whatever you want. I think communicating is the hardest part, whether you're speaking with another musician or trying to put your ideas onto paper.
How did you approach the process of learning a piece written by someone else after spending the last few years performing your own work?
I'm working on it right now and it's really hard! I've learned pieces in the past, but it was music that took less preparation. Alex's vocal lines are somewhat atonal—there are these constant harmonic shifts that are in the key of the moment. It's all within my range because it was written for me, but it has been a challenge to memorize the material.
Will you be performing anything aside from Alex Temple's piece?
I'm also arranging some of my own music for the Spektral Quartet. I think I'll be singing while they play, but I'm still working on it, so we'll see how it turns out.
Julia Holter performs with Spektral Quartet at Constellation on Feb 25 at 7pm and 9:30pm.