Driven to achieve success in a way “mama and dad would be proud”, music felt like a “guilty pleasure” for Julia. Growing up in a family of teachers, tailors, and shrinks,being a musician was "simply not a viable option, not even something ever considered for a career". For the first part of her life Julia Othmer relied on music only as a personal outlet. Craving music, Julia began training at 7 as a classic al pianist, also studying flute, violin and piccolo .
She went to Columbia University, majoring in Anthropology, all while indulging in her first love by playing in bands. Speaking with her one Tuesday, her mother noted she was excited about all her musical endeavors but hadn’t once mentioned her looming thesis deadline.“ So why not graduate early and concentrate on what you love? ” her mother chided. Julia did exactly that. She graduated early and began to teach music at an inner city YWCA. After sometime, a conversation with the Dalai Lama and many late nights working on her own tunes, an opportunity to record a demo with Myron Dove (formerly of Santana) arose. Julia grabbed it. “These kids who I was hoping to inspire to follow their dreams turned around and inspired me,” she explains with a gentle, grateful smile.
The first song on her demo “Mission Control” won “Best Rock Song” in Philadelphia by a NARAS review panel, “Honorable Mention” at the Billboard World Song contest, and was selected as the theme song for Vision Video games’ Space Station SIM. Her unique style and voice has been cultivated in part through playing in her "home bases" of New York, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and Kansas City. Julia Othmer's debut studio album "Oasis Motel" was recorded in Los Angeles with producer Michael Blum (Madonna, Roger Daltrey, Suicidal Tendencies). An amazing array of musicians joined her including Johnny Griparic (Carole King), Herman Jackson (Stevie Wonder, Outkast), Matt Laug (Alanis Morissette, Slashs Snakepit), and Dean Pleasants (Suicidal Tendencies, Infectious Grooves).
She has a voice that can only be described as "Macy Gray meets Alicia Keys with a dash of Alanis Morissette," says Ear Candy Magazine. The NXNE Festival Guide calls her "a piano-playing siren making a mark with her fiery, passionate performances." "Oasis Motel is remarkable for several reasons - the most obvious being that it's hard to believe this is her first release," said music critic Brandon Whitehead for eKC online. "With ten original tracks of clear, crystalline vocals that evoke melodic sounds reminiscent of Patsy Kline to Anne De Franco [sic], Othmer shows how music is meant to be made." To understand Julia Othmer’s intimate relationship to her music one must watch her captivating live performance. To witness every note tickle her every nerve ending, escaping in what translates to your own ecstasy off her tongue, one cannot help but be infected by her skillful passion. Watching her writhe, explore and belt out her unique songs while she bangs away on the keys, you’ll find yourself oddly jealous of both her key board and the stool on which she perches, all while connecting to her honesty, herd instinctive perspective, and her eloquence. Julia succeeds in using her entire body to express the music she feels.
Though recently relocated to West Hollywood, Julia has garnered a fast growing fan base from her other homebases in Philadelphia and Kansas City. She has performed at such venues as Philadelphia's World Café Live, WXPN's All About the Music Festival, the TLA, and the Tin Angel;New York City's Knitting Factory, Cutting Room and the Bitter End; and LA's Hotel Café. Julia was recently nominated at the Philly Music Awards for "Best Female Entertainer" and "Best Female Vocalist. She has shared the stage with a range of artists including Amos Lee, Regina Spektor, Ryan Star, John Waite, and east mountain south.
She went to Columbia University, majoring in Anthropology, all while indulging in her first love by playing in bands. Speaking with her one Tuesday, her mother noted she was excited about all her musical endeavors but hadn’t once mentioned her looming thesis deadline.“ So why not graduate early and concentrate on what you love? ” her mother chided. Julia did exactly that. She graduated early and began to teach music at an inner city YWCA. After sometime, a conversation with the Dalai Lama and many late nights working on her own tunes, an opportunity to record a demo with Myron Dove (formerly of Santana) arose. Julia grabbed it. “These kids who I was hoping to inspire to follow their dreams turned around and inspired me,” she explains with a gentle, grateful smile.
She has a voice that can only be described as "Macy Gray meets Alicia Keys with a dash of Alanis Morissette," says Ear Candy Magazine. The NXNE Festival Guide calls her "a piano-playing siren making a mark with her fiery, passionate performances." "Oasis Motel is remarkable for several reasons - the most obvious being that it's hard to believe this is her first release," said music critic Brandon Whitehead for eKC online. "With ten original tracks of clear, crystalline vocals that evoke melodic sounds reminiscent of Patsy Kline to Anne De Franco [sic], Othmer shows how music is meant to be made." To understand Julia Othmer’s intimate relationship to her music one must watch her captivating live performance. To witness every note tickle her every nerve ending, escaping in what translates to your own ecstasy off her tongue, one cannot help but be infected by her skillful passion. Watching her writhe, explore and belt out her unique songs while she bangs away on the keys, you’ll find yourself oddly jealous of both her key board and the stool on which she perches, all while connecting to her honesty, herd instinctive perspective, and her eloquence. Julia succeeds in using her entire body to express the music she feels.