Julia Haltigan adds a sinister beauty to the blues

Julia Haltigan was born in New York City off the Bowery in 1984. She grew up moving constantly from one New York neighborhood to another, throughout her travels she collected literal and figurative pieces. Her overly musical, and slightly twisted family, suffers from what they call “the singing disease,” an illness that causes its infected to sing (loudly) lines from songs whenever and wherever they are reminded or inclined. Her grandmother sang in a quartet in the 1930s bringing the Bugle Boy-era tunes to Julia’s attention. (pull)Her father, an ingenious toy-maker, introduced her to the essential classics: Bob Dylan, The Beatles, Motown’s best, as well as the more quirky Captain Beefheart, Tom Waits and Devo and, of course, her first crush: Elvis Presley, whose vocal style left an indelible mark on her.(/pull) She grew up snapping, spinning, whistling and singing, which resulted in letters sent home from school reading, “That is not a small voice trying to be loud.” Julia wrote her first song at age 15 and has since authored the music and lyrics of over 100 original songs. Drawing from an endless, eclectic library of musical influences and her own colorful, if sometimes quirky, dark, life experience, her songs relate heartache, romance and sorrow, to licorice, viruses and engines. She compliments these themes through a bluesy mix of swinging bass lines and weepy guitar licks with a dash of country shuffle and twist of rolling drums. Her sultry voice is the illegitimate child of Tom Waits and Betty Boop. Her style is a wholly unique blend of the past and her own whimsical present, and is a refreshing addition to the modern music scene.

Having lived on the lower east side of Manhattan for the latter half of her life, Julia made her start as A professional singer in her neighborhood and around town by playing at venues such as Pianos, The Knitting Factory, Rockwood Music Hall, Hank’s Saloon, Rodeo Bar, The Living Room, Maxwells, Continental, Arlene’s Grocery, and Bar Matchless. Today, having recorded multiple demos and EPs, she prepares for her first full length album and a tour bringing her from the big city, down to New Orleans and back.