Julin

Go to MustBetheGenes.com and click on Music 4 to see an interview with Julin. - mustbethegenes.com

Transitions proved the perfect name for Julin's debut disc. It's an accurate description of her journey from fledgling writer to confident artist.

"I went through a lot of transitions in my life: what kind of music I like to listen to, what exactly I want to sound like," she says.

"I had to teach myself how to pronounce everything. I would sing, and it would be nasally. Now, I know exactly what sound I want and how to do it."

The Houston-born actress and singer had written poetry for years, but she was never quite sure how to translate it into music.

Enter Ken Sarmiento, guitarist for long-running local band Phuz. They met in 2004 when Julin auditioned for a Phuz vocalist slot. (They were about to open for Sting.)

Julin wasn't right for the group, but Sarmiento saw some raw talent. He immediately offered to produce for her.

"She had so much potential. She wanted to work. She had the patience to continue and build," Sarmiento says.

They began working on a single as an addition to Julin's acting and modeling portfolio. (She's done local commercials and appeared in an assortment of music videos.) It blossomed into an EP and finally the full-length Transitions disc, which was recently released.

The musical chemistry is apparent throughout the disc, which features ambient hip-hop touches (My World), rock flourishes (Empty Reel) and late-night lounge grooves (Don't Turn Back Now, Secret Agent).

Julin's vocals are light and airy, dancing gently amid the instrumentation. She's most compelling during the buoyant pop of The Radio Song and Live in My Times.

"I wanted to put a lot of emotion into the songs," says Julin, who lists Björk as her primary influence.

"When I listen to a song, I like to be taken into that zone. That's what I also tried to add."

In person, the pair is an expected study in contrasts. Julin is bubbly and bright-eyed; Sarmiento is more serious.

"We're both Scorpios, and when I met him, I was like, 'Ooh — he doesn't like me,' " she says with a laugh.

"We started writing together, and it just happened like magic."

joey.guerra@chron.com

- Houston Chronicle By Joey Guerra

This week's featured artist is smoky pop singer and actress Julin, whose solo disc Transitions was produced and co-written by Phuz guitarist Ken Sarmiento.

I talk to both of them about their musical meeting and how a one-song project blossomed into a full-length record. It's a moody mix of pop melodies, rock flourishes and lounge grooves.

Julin also scored a sizable role in the Texas-shot flick Spirit Camp, described as "Friday the 13th meets Bring it On." She plays impossibly mean cheerleader Rachel.

But even with her resume rapidly expanding, don't expect Julin to make the transition to ex-local anytime soon.

"I love Houston,'' she says. "I wouldn't want to be anywhere else."

Download the podcast or listen to it in the handy player on the right.

http://outside.in/Houston/tags/julin - Handstamp

So I was reading the fantastic Done Waiting - Houston Calling Music Blog - probably the single best source for info on live music around Houston - and saw a post about a girl named Julin playing her first show at the Brasil, a local bar/coffee shop.

Im a big fan of female vocalists so I clicked on the link to check out her site. Well, as you can see from the pictures above, shes quite a lovely girl - and after checking out the mp3 I decided I was definitely going.

It was a great time - Brasil had just rolled out Stella Artois on tap (the best beer on Earth, though what you get on tap in the UK is significantly better then what you get in the States), and it was Julin's birthday so they gave everyone cake.

I met some great people - including Edwin from Phuz. Check out their site - I havent got to see them live yet - but hopefully that will happen sooner then later. K'Monte, the main act, also kicked ass (their set will be up at a later date) and it all happened in a tiny venue. Only way to see music kids.

For your listening pleasure I've posted the mp3s from Julin's set. Check it out - and be sure to check her site often - her debut record should be out in the next month or two...

http://www.lullabyes.net/blog/2005/10/julin-102205.html - Lullabyes.net

I met Julin about a year ago when she auditioned for my film "Spirit Camp" ...I think the first words out of my mouth were "will you marry me?" Not only is she beautiful and talented, but she's funny too. She has great comedic timing, and had us cracking up during the audition. She had the part within the first few lines. She's that HOT girl that you can actually hang out with and be silly. To top it off, she is sweet as pie, and working with her over the past year has been and absolute joy. Everyone who sees clips of my film says she is going to be a star!

words by: Kerry Beyer - spiritcampmovie.com