Juliana Iannuzziello, or Juliana Eye as she calls herself, is a Toronto-based singer, musician and songwriter. After playing for others for several years, she finally gets to grips with her own music.
You’ve been playing in bands and supporting other acts as a musician and instrumentalist for years and years. What made you step forward now? Has this been a long time coming for you? Why did it take as long as it did?
This has definitely been a long time coming! I started taking music very seriously in my teens, and I’m just now releasing my first single. I’ve always taken comfort in being in the background – it’s allowed me to collaborate, perform & sing live without being in the spotlight (which is absolutely terrifying for me). I also just really enjoy supporting other artists and watching them follow their vision.
The reason it’s taken so long is simply that I’ve been too afraid to take the leap and put myself out there. Luckily, a few years ago I made a pact with myself to give this a real shot, and here I am!
Does it in a way feel like you’re on square 1 again? Like as if you were just starting ... though you’re not?
In a way yes, I’m now starting to introduce myself as a songwriter and an artist (which I’ve always wanted to do!). But it’s also just the nature of being an artist, you’re always starting over whether it’s a new project, learning new things or reinventing yourself. You’re always going to start from nothing and turn it into something! I’m just very excited to start a new chapter
Not surprisingly ‘U Suck’ is a bit cheeky. It has a bit of an attitude. What is this debut of yours about? What inspired you to write it?
[Laughs] it is very cheeky! I wrote it as a response to my experiences with toxic behaviours & inconsistencies (like being ghosted & strung along). I tend to blame myself a lot, but when I start running out of reasons to blame myself I know that it’s probably not me. I learned with writing this song that sometimes it’s possible that they suck, and you don’t.
Who did you work on it with?
I worked with producer Tal Vaisman (Kadeema), my good friend and long-time collaborator Michael McDonnell on bass guitar, and incredibly talented drummer/friend Mike Sleath (who plays for Shawn Mendes). I was very lucky to have these guys help me on this track, they absolutely made this song bang.
Would you say that there are aspects of everything you’ve done with other artists in the past that now has gone into your own music as well? What kind of influences has shaped your artistry whether it’s been through your past work or just music you like?
Absolutely! I’ve been incredibly inspired by every artist I’ve played with over the years. I’ve been massively influenced by their work ethic, dedication to their craft and confidence to be themselves. All things that I aspire to take with me on my own journey.
Is there any old friends you’d love to bring back ... Anyone you would like to work with on your own music?
For sure! I’m so lucky to be a part of such a diverse & talented music scene in Toronto. I hope to continue working and collaborating within the community here and seeing where things go.
Where did all of this start for you. When was it that you realised that music was something that you wanted ... perhaps needed ... to do? What kind of a outlet was it? What do you think it was about it that spoke to you?
When I was a kid, I had a really hard time fitting in and finding who I was. I’ve really struggled with my identity for as long as I can remember, and it wasn’t until I started playing guitar and writing songs that I felt like I had found something that was truly for me. I wasn’t born into a musical family, or had any musical friends, so it became my own little act of rebellion that turned into an obsession. I think there was something about making lots of noise and (literally) finding my own voice that helped fill a void.
So how did you go about that. Did you always want to do all of it, playing instruments, singing and writing ... or how did everything kinda evolved to what it is now?
[Laughs] no not really! At first, I just wanted to be a guitar player and songwriter in a band. I always sang but never thought of myself as a particularly good singer. I had a short stint playing bass in my high school jazz band but didn’t really continue after that. When I was 18, I was asked to join a band as a keyboard player & backup vocalist. Knowing very well that I didn’t play keys, the band still hired me, so I taught myself as I went. Over the years, the keys have become my main instrument and primarily what I’m hired to play, but I’ve always tried to be somewhat of a “utility-knife” of a musician (very much a jack-of-all-trades, master-of-none). I’ve just said yes to every opportunity and my skill set has evolved over the years.
What could some of your early songs be about?
When I first started writing, I just tried mimicking artists that I liked listening to. A lot of early stuff I wrote didn’t really make any sense lyrically but was more a representation of how I was feeling. Lots of droney guitar stuff. I’ve always sort of written moodier, introspective, “sad girl” pop music but if you boil it down, I just love a good melody and an interesting lyric that makes you feel something.
Which was the first instrument that you got?
My first instrument was an Art & Lutherie acoustic guitar, I still have it today!
When was the last time you got to perform on stage? Have you been able to perform anything recently?
Oh jeez, this is a sore spot! The last time I performed on stage was a showcase for an artist at the end of last February (before the pandemic). Since the pandemic, I have been able to play a couple of live stream performances, but I can’t wait to get back out there in front of an audience.
How are life in Toronto now? Are you staying safe and well and are you able to live a somewhat normal life yet?
Life is okay out here! Happy to say I’ve been keeping safe & well. Unfortunately, there hasn’t really been any ‘normalcy’ since the pandemic started, but taking it one day at a time. Lots of family time and writing time!
Have you perhaps been able to write more and focus more on yourself this last year with fewer other opportunities? Has this year - at least creatively - provided?
Definitely! Because there hasn’t been much live music over the past 12 months, I’ve been able to take advantage of the time and focus on writing and developing my production skills. Creatively it’s been up & down because every day seems to be the same, but on a positive note, it’s forced me to try writing from different perspectives.
Do you usually feel the most creative when you “can be in your own head a bit” or when you are around people?
I think a healthy dose of both. When I’m trying to work through something deeply personal, I definitely benefit from working things out on my own. But I really prefer collaborating/co-writing because it can give so much perspective to a song that I would never dream of coming up with on my own. Also, I find just hacking away at a song with other people is so gratifying.
So now, finally, being on the other side of it, having released your debut single at last. How does it feel to have released your first song and where do you see things going from here on out ... what lies ahead for you?
I feel a great sense of relief & excitement for the future! Releasing this song was a big exercise in facing my fears and putting myself out there, and I can’t wait to share more of what I’ve been working on! I plan to release more singles this year and hopefully an EP by 2022. I just want to keep making music with inspiring people and turn this into a long career.