Julia Michaels is currently taking over venues around the world for her Inner Monologue Tour and fans are loving every single thing about the experience.
As she manages to balance writing chart topping hits of her own and co-writing songs with other artists, the ‘Issues’ singer effortlessly connects with millions of people through streaming platforms and live performances every day. The impact Michaels and her lyrics have on people can only be described as powerful.
In an exclusive interview with CelebMix, Julia Michaels opens up about touring, her fans and songwriting.
You’re currently on the Inner Monologue Tour! How is that going?
It’s been amazing, honestly! The fans are so wonderful and the crowd’s have just been amazing. We’re on our second week of tour in the United States [and we] just finished six weeks in Australia and Europe. It’s been so unreal.
What song do you get most excited to perform for the crowd on your setlist?
I have many songs that I love to perform for different reasons, but I think my favorite is “Happy” and “Anxiety” just because of how many people are able to release a lot of things and just let go of a lot of things that they are feeling [during that song]. It’s just a really wonderful moment.
Your fans line up hours and hours ahead of your show. Some of them are going to multiple shows on this tour and it seems like you have a very special connection with them. What can you tell us about that?
They all show up, you’re right! Sometimes at 6 a.m. and they’re so pumped and they sing every song in line to get everyone else pumped. I’ve been touring for the last two and a half years and seeing familiar faces on the road just makes me so happy. They’ll bring their friends and then I’ll get to meet them and that sort of becomes a whole domino effect.
Do you have a favorite city or area that stands out to you whenever you perform live?
Not necessarily a favorite city in particular. There’s so many cities that I love. It’s the cities, but it’s also the crowds and the people I know are going to be in the crowds. They’re all special in different ways. Everyone will come and do a fan project for something different [each tour stop] and it’s something for me to remember the city by. I definitely have favorite moments from shows.
We have to talk about your experience co-writing ‘Lose You To Love Me’ and ‘Look at Her Now’ which are Selena Gomez’s huge singles out right now! How was it to work with her on those tracks and then see the positive feedback and support?
It’s been amazing. I love Selena so much and I’m so grateful that I’ve gotten to work with her for as long as I have.
What do you think is so special about your connection as friends and co-writers?
I think we’ve been through some personal things at similar times and so we’ve been able to connect about that kind of stuff which makes it easy to write with [her]. I’m really thankful.
Let’s chat about ‘If You Need Me’ which was inspired by the series Sorry For Your Loss. What’s that track about and what would you say is its key message?
It’s basically just about even when you miss somebody, they’re never too far away from your heart. You could have something you want to share with someone and even if they’re not there, you can sort of feel like they are still. I guess that’s the [song’s] main message!
How was it to see the success of your track ‘Issues’ blow up and become so popular?
It was definitely not what I expected. I sort of expected for like 15 people to hear the song and definitely wasn’t expecting for it to do what it did. I’m so happy that it has because now I get to tour the world and sing songs with everybody every night.
You are the queen of collaborations! You have so many down already and your voice fits perfectly with almost anyone. Selena Gomez, Niall Horan, Shawn Mendes…the list goes on. Have you formed friendships out of these collaborations?
Yeah, definitely! I think there is a certain level of trust that goes into writing and you sort of learn to trust someone really fast or not trust them at all. I’ve got a lot of wonderful friends…super talented incredible friends. I’m very grateful for that.
Who would you like to collaborate with in the future?
I’d love to work with Alec Benjamin and I think Rosalia would be really cool [to work with] too!
There’s two parts of Inner Monologue. If you had to pick one to listen to every day for the next month, which would it be and why? What version do you resonate with more right now?
Well if I had the option, I wouldn’t listen to my music at all [because] that would be super weird. I guess if I had to choose, I would probably pick Part 1!
If you could write with any artist, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
If I could write or sing with someone, dead or alive, it would probably be Judy Garland. She just has one of the most magical voices that I’ve ever heard in my whole life.
For fans waiting for their tour date to come, what is one word to describe your set and the experience they’re going to have?
Rollercoaster!
What can fans look forward to in the near future?
Right now I’m focused on this tour and I have a song out with JP Saxe called “If The World Was Ending” that I’m really happy and excited about.
Thank you, Julia Michaels, for taking the time to speak with CelebMix.
For more information on how to see Julia Michaels on tour, click here.
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