Born and raised in Paris (France) from German and Vietnamese parents, Julian Tran is a 25 year-old artist and composer based in London (UK) since 2015. Julian’s early career was spent playing concerts with his former band REV and writing for his former solo project, Sonic Eater. In 2021, he released his first work under his real name, the ‘Misery’ album. Julian writes, records, produces, and mixes all his music by himself in his home studio and occasionally works with musicians to write arrangements. Since 2021, he has actively started writing film scores, and it is his ambition to develop that career alongside his personal work.
By Kamil Bobin
Discovered via Musosoup
Kamil) Hey Julian Tran, super nice to have the chance to chat with you. What first got you into music?
Hey Kamil, happy to have a chat with you as well. My parents, though not musicians themselves, pushed me from a young age to try learning instruments and listen to a lot of music. It was effortless, they’re just passionate about it, especially my father. My brother was in a band when I was about 12 and they needed a singer and rhythm guitar player, I’d say that’s where it started. Even though it was much later that I came to understand why I enjoy writing and playing music.
What is your creative process like?
Just like most artists, my creative process is one that often changes and adapts. I feel I’ve gotten better at morphing my methodology according to my instincts.
Your latest song is 'FANTASY UNLIMITED : PART II'. Can you tell us more about the making of it and if there were any unusual things happening during the process?
These two songs are pretty much landscape explorations. They were made instinctively without any conceptual goal at first. They ended up fitting perfectly in this project, since it’s about musical and narrative exploration. “Dunes” was almost not going to make it on the project, but some last minute changes have now made it one of my favourite tracks.
What was the most difficult challenge you faced?
The most difficult part with my songs is mixing them. I often play with a lot of layers which can be hard to blend together in a way that is still clear and audible. Figuring out a balance between allowing the listener to hear intricate details and maintaining the original textures of a sound can be quite tricky at times.
What is the biggest mistake you have made within your career to this point?
The only mistakes I make is when I’m rushing things because I was too lazy haha. I can’t think of a singular terrible mistake I’ve made. I’m at a point in my career where mistakes don’t have too many consequences and mostly serve as learning experience.
Are there people who help you with the production of the songs?
The production process is quite a solitary one for me. I do like to collaborate with musicians that are just able to play instruments in ways I could only dream of. I can become a bit of a control freak when it comes to my work. However, I cherish a few people’s opinion on my work and their reactions often inform future creative decisions.
What are your long term goals?
I’d like to write more music for film or other visual mediums. The few times I’ve done it have felt natural and exciting, I believe the music I make tends to lean into score music more and more anyway. It seems like the natural next step for me. I want to go back to playing live music as well.
What do your fans mean to you? What do you value most in them?
They mean everything. I love hearing their thoughts and feelings on my music. At times, it can truly give me a sense of purpose and connection within a community.
What memorable responses have you had to your work?
My most memorable responses always come from my close friends. I’ll keep those private but they mean the world to me. I also had someone do a cover of an old song recently and that made me very emotional.
Where is the best place in the world you’ve ever been to?
Kurokawa, Japan.