Client Spotlight: Julia Davis
Let’s talk about Julia Davis—the artist, the collaborator, and the unmistakable energy she brings into every session. From the very beginning, she’s trusted us with every one of her professionally released singles, and that kind of creative partnership doesn’t just happen—it’s built on instinct, honesty, and a shared belief in the music.
Of course, if you’ve spent even five minutes around Julia, you already know she’s fun, quick-witted, wildly talented, and effortlessly magnetic. She’s the kind of person who can have the whole room laughing one minute and then, the next, deliver a vocal that stops you in your tracks. That balance—lighthearted and deeply intentional—is exactly what makes her artistry so compelling.
But beyond the studio banter and the standout takes, there’s so much more to her story. There’s the leap of faith that brought her to Nashville, the vulnerability she pours into her lyrics, and the quiet determination that drives her to keep evolving with every track. Julia doesn’t just make music—she lives it, questions it, grows through it.
And that’s what we wanted to do here: go beyond the surface. To give you a closer look at the person behind the songs, the moments that shaped her, and the creative spark that keeps pushing her forward.
Without further adieu, lets dive right into our chat with her about all things music, recording, and life. Stick around for the end to really get an idea of who Julia Davis is!
Let’s talk about who Julia Davis is, how you love to connect with your fans, living in Nashville, and how music became your path, not just your hobby.
Firstly, what is your favorite platform to connect with your fans on?
Don’t make fun of me, but I love Facebook :-) There’s just something about having all my photos, videos, and little life moments in one place… I love scrolling back and seeing how much has changed (and how much hasn’t). It feels like a scrapbook of this whole journey.
What makes it even more special are my friends and fans—some of you just found me, and some of you have been here since the very beginning… like when I first said I was going all in on music (which still feels a little wild to say out loud).
It means more to me than you know that you’ve stuck around to watch me grow, figure it out, and chase this thing. Truly.
Was there a defining moment when you realized music wasn’t just a hobby—it was your path?
I’ve been singing since I was a little girl—daydreaming about being on stage, under the lights, dancing around. But for a long time, I didn’t feel like music was mine to claim. I figured I’d go to college, get a steady job, and that would be it.
After traveling, studying, nannying, and earning my master’s, I worked at a global law firm in Atlanta. It seemed like the “dream” job… until I realized it wasn’t. I had this deep, undeniable realization: my life was mine to create, and I’d always wonder what it would be like to follow the passions in my heart if I didn’t go all in. God doesn’t give you a gift and a dream to leave it untouched.
So I chose myself—and my music. I quit my job, packed up, and moved to Nashville. And in doing that, I fell in love with life… and with myself… all over again! I’m so grateful to be here.
You work downtown in Nashville—what are the perks? What are the downsides?
I’m so grateful Nashville has a scene for people like me—people who want to make a living playing music while also pursuing our original stuff. Working on Broadway pays the bills, but my downtown gigs have also shaped me into the performer I am today. Playing with incredible musicians down there has taught me so much and really pushed me to explore and challenge my voice.
Biggest setback? Living on a dreamer’s salary, lol—we don’t exactly make millions singing for a living!
We get it! Both Grady and Danielle were full time Broadway musicians for years, and still perform there to this day. Can you tell us a fun experience working on Broadway?
One of the best things about working on Broadway is seeing the pure joy on people’s faces—especially those who’ve never been here before or experienced live performance like this. I might be singing some of the same songs every day, but for them it’s brand new.
One of my favorite moments is singing “Redneck Woman” out in the audience, watching people dance and sing along—it never gets old. Those moments make every performance feel fresh and so rewarding.
How does your creative process differ in the studio compared to writing or composing outside of it?
I don’t usually write with a guitar or piano—I start with lyrics and melodies in my head. Then I work with the love of my life and insanely talented Alex Pearson to come up with guitar arrangements, or sometimes I just bring my lyrics and melodies straight into the studio and we make it happen there.
By the time I’m ready to record, I have the vibe of the song and a very thought-out plan for how I want it to sound instrumentally—but even to me, it still blows my mind that I can create something starting with just lyrics, melodies, and an idea. Huge thank you to my dream team—Alex, Grady, and Danielle—for helping make it all come to life.
We love Alex! Make sure to check out his rock project HERE. Also, we are grateful to work with you, too!
Is there a collaboration—past, present, or dream—that has shaped or would shape your sound in a way your fans might find interesting?
I’ve been loving leaning into pop lately and bridging the gap between the country I grew up with in backwoods Florida and what’s on pop radio today. It’s such a fun time for music—everyone’s kind of loose with the rules, and I love exploring that.
Dream collabs? Meghan Trainor, Shania Twain, Sabrina Carpenter, Patty Loveless, and why not go wild with a little Megan Thee Stallion? I bet you’ve never seen Patty Loveless and Megan Thee Stallion that close together in a sentence… but can you imagine a country record with Megan on it? I’d probably lose my mind in the club.
Is there a side of your artistry—quirks, rituals, or creative habits—that most fans don’t get to see?
I feel like I’m halfway between “cool” and a little weirdo just watching the cool kids make it happen—pretty good summary, lol. One of my creative habits? Getting enough sleep—and sometimes sneaking in naps—because I’m at my most creative when I’m well-rested and in that dreamy headspace.
I drink a ton of coconut water, love my sweets and snacks, and honestly, I’m usually flying by the seat of my pants, letting life unfold as it comes. I often feel underprepared, but you can’t get anywhere without just starting—so here I am, making music and figuring it out as I go!
We get it! We talk about the importance of sleep for our artists in this blog HERE. Are there new directions, experiments, or risks you’re excited to explore in your music that fans might not expect?
Yes!! I’m so excited to bring in some extra personality and really lean into non-traditional country. Think unexpected twists, playful vibes, and yes… synthesizers! I love experimenting with sounds that surprise me as much as they surprise the listener, blending elements that aren’t “typically country” but still feel totally me.
It’s all about taking risks, having fun, and seeing where the music can go—and I can’t wait for fans to hear what’s coming next.
With that - let’s jump right into your time recording at Studio45b!
Was there a moment in the studio that totally surprised you—something that didn’t go as planned but ended up being memorable or even inspiring?
Once I started coming into Studio45b, everything surprised me—in the best way. I was just trying to learn and take it all in. Working with Grady really taught me the importance of trust. There have been moments where I’ve explained the vibe I’m going for, and hours later, as we’re layering tracks, he’ll say, “just trust me”—and I do. Every time, it turns out even better than I imagined.
On my most recent (yet-to-be-released) record, we used a lot of synthesizers, and there was a moment during the solo where I couldn’t quite see the vision—but I trusted that he could see it and was crafting it around my artistry. And he absolutely delivered!
Did someone on the team—Grady, Danielle, or Andrew—say or do something that gave you a new idea, pushed your creativity, or made you see your music differently?
Being surrounded by incredibly talented musicians and producers like Grady and Danielle pushes me to be a better artist. They know me, believe in my music, and encourage me to fully show up in my records—and that’s everything in the recording process. Once I felt safe to be myself and own my ideas in a room like that, it felt like the sky was the limit!
Is there a behind-the-scenes moment that still makes you laugh when you think about it?
When I first got on a call with Grady about recording my first record, I told him I wanted to make “yacht rock” because I was so inspired by ’70s artists like Fleetwood Mac and the Eagles. Turns out… that’s not yacht rock—think more Bee Gees and Doobie Brothers. So yeah, I definitely threw him for a loop.
Once we got into the studio, we both quickly realized that wasn’t actually the sound I was going for. But Grady met me where I was and helped translate what I meant—even when I didn’t have the right words for it. If you listen to my music now, you’ll know it’s definitely not yacht rock—but we still joke about making a yacht rock record every time I come in :)
Was there a moment that felt tricky or unexpected, but taught you something valuable about your music or yourself?
Making music is inherently vulnerable—it can make you question yourself and what you’re trying to create. But it’s also exciting and beautiful, and it’s helped me find myself through my art. Recording at Studio45b, I’ve grown to become a real part of a team with Grady and Danielle—we can feel out what a song needs and get there organically.
It was tricky at first to figure out what felt authentic, and it took exploring different sounds to find that. Now, it’s the best kind of unexpected to create with full confidence and excitement.
Why did you choose to work with Danielle and what unique contributions did she bring?
I worked with Danielle for the first time on my latest single, “Sadist Masochist Song (Hurt As Good).” I knew I wanted to elevate the personality of the track, and her background in vocal production made her the perfect fit. I didn’t fully know what to expect, but she took it to another level—the vocals, the character, all of it.
After that session, I was like… yeah, we’re never not doing this moving forward!
You’ve recorded multiple songs with us—what’s it been like working with Grady as a producer? How have your songs evolved through your collaboration, and what’s the process like when you two shape a track together?
Grady and I have gotten to a point where we really understand each other, and he knows exactly what I’m going for. That makes the recording process feel effortless because I fully trust him to help bring out what’s most authentic to me.
What started as me figuring out my sound has grown into something so much more fun—we’re constantly experimenting, laughing, and yes, sometimes chatting a little too much for the amount of work we have to get done! Long days in the studio never feel boring with him around, and that energy makes creating music feel exciting, inspiring, and totally collaborative.
Can you give us a little insider scoop on your latest single? What can we expect?
My latest single, "Sadist Masochist Song (Hurt As Good)," dropped Friday, March 27—it’s a cheeky, fun take on dating as a twentysomething. Dating these days is not always pretty, but I wanted to bring some light to it. It’s upbeat, a little ironic, and it’s got fiddle—think Shania meets Sabrina.
And beyond this release, I’ve got another song recorded (not announced yet 👀), and it’s my baby!! It feels like an ode to people from my hometown whom I love so much, and I can’t wait for it to be a feel-good one for the summer.
Quick Guide To Julia
Cat or Dog? I was a dog person for 24 years, then during my 25th year I fell in love with a man and his cat… and now I have three total! I’m obsessed with Lulu, Davey, and Bohdi—team cat all the way.
Favorite Cuisine? These days I’m all about my go-to order from an Indian restaurant—chicken tikka masala with naan and a mango lassi. I could eat it every day and never get tired of it.
Favorite Singer? Adele, hands down!
Favorite Songwriter? I love Sabrina Carpenter and her cheeky style, but lately I’ve been really into Hardy. James Taylor and Stevie Nicks have always been favorites too.
Favorite Nashville Coffee Shop? Oooh, hard one! Right now, I’m loving the matcha from 8th & Roast in the Gulch.
Breakfast or Dinner Date? Dinner date. I love dressing up and being out under the moonlight.
Coffee or Tea? Tea! I’m a chai latte fanatic.
Summer or Winter? I love winter and my fur coats, but after Nashville’s last ice storms (still not over it as a Florida girl), I might have to go with summer… just out of spite.
Ocean or Lake? Ocean! Growing up near Siesta Key Beach in Florida, the sea salt air and beach vibe will always feel like home.
Europe or Caribbean? Europe! I was lucky to travel a lot in my early twenties, and Florence, Italy, and Lisbon, Portugal are two of my favorite cities.
City or Mountains? Mountain mama! I love escaping to the cool mountain air among the trees whenever I can.
Texting or Calling? Texting. Please don’t call—it stresses me out! I’m not into 24/7 phone access, but I promise I’ll reply when I can! :)
Pineapple on Pizza? Hell yes! Give me that Hawaiian goodness.
Sunrise or Sunset? Sunset always. There’s something about watching the world slow down as the sun sets. It reminds me of riding in my dad’s truck in my hometown, watching the pink skies over sleepy Florida towns.
Thank you so much for your time with us, Julia! We absolutely love rocking out with you in the studio and we can’t wait to see where your next few singles take you.
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