INTERVIEW: Local Musician Julia King On Her Return To The Talkhouse And More

This Friday, March 30th, singer-songwriter Julia King returns to Stephen Talkhouse for the first time since performing music from her latest EP there in the summer of 2016. King, a South Fork native who transplanted to the North Fork as an adult, gets to fulfill her childhood dream once again by taking the stage at the iconic Hamptons venue.

“It was always my childhood dream to get on that stage and now that I’m there, it feels like I’ve really done something for myself,” says King. This time around, King will be joined onstage by a new band, which she describes as “pretty rockin'” – to perform some original music.

King grew up on the South Fork working on her family’s farm and listening to Motown, Van Morrison, and southern rock. She went on to attend university in Nashville, Tennessee to study music business, but soon found that she did not like the business facet of that major. She eventually graduated with a degree in kinesiology and saw her life moving down a path of wellness and fitness.

In 2012, though, she reunited with music and fully embraced her artistic calling. Four years later, she released The Morning After EP, which drew inspiration from the emotions and experiences of being in relationships. Then in 2017, King released her country, pop-rock single, One Way Ticket to Somewhere.

“It has always been a dream of mine to do music, but I took a lot of different paths before getting to where I am now and it feels great. I know that playing at the Talkhouse is special because I’m from the South Fork. It’s a really exciting thing for me and a great honor,” shares King.

Currently, King has no explicit plans for upcoming music, though she does have ideas about what sound and message she wants her next album to convey. “I want it to be a reflection of how I’ve grown since my first release. I think that over the years and since my first release I have grown a lot. My writing has improved, my performance technique and everything has really evolved and I’m excited to put my best foot forward in putting out something new.”

She is also working with her friend, David Benthal, on putting together a music video for One Way Ticket to Somewhere.

“Anytime out here in the wintertime is always a little bit slower, a little bit more local crowd which is wonderful,” says King. “I always enjoy seeing through the crowd, you can see all the people who are there supporting you and you can actually appreciate them. I look forward to this season and hopefully playing in the South Fork and getting back into the music scene out there.”

Friday night’s performance starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $10.

For more information about Julia King, please visit her website, www.juliakingmusic.com. Stephen Talkhouse is located at 161 Main Street in Amagansett.