How Julia Rizik Found Her Sound and What Indie Artists Can Learn From It

Hometown: Scottsdale, AZ
Currently Based In: Los Angeles, CA
Favorite Hobby: Does drinking coffee count?
Favorite Artist(s): Lana Del Rey, The Weeknd, Childish Gambino, The Temptations

Julia Rizik is a self-taught producer and genre-blending songwriter whose musical journey began at a young age. From starting in country to finding her voice in pop, she has embraced change as a vital part of her growth. Known for her vulnerability, visual creativity, and soulful approach to songwriting, she strikes a balance between emotional depth and broad appeal. With her new single, “Hell For Love,” dropping on May 16th, Julia continues to evolve while staying grounded in authenticity.

Your musical journey started at such a young age. Looking back, what’s something you wish you knew when you first started?

Yeah it did. Looking back, I can’t believe how young I actually was. I think, when I first started, I thought I knew exactly who I was and that would never change. But like, my favorite part of being an artist is how much we shift and change and evolve. Even the moments of being uncertain of my identity as an artist have been so impactful on my growth.

What advice would you give to artists learning to produce music, given that you taught yourself and know how challenging it can be?

ASK FOR HELP. Don’t be afraid to ask your friends in music what programs they use and how they use them. Be a sponge. Take in all the information that you can. The only way to grow in music, is to lead with your soul. Like no ego, ask for help and experiment.

Shifting from one music scene to another can be a challenging experience. What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned about finding your place in a new creative space?

Oh my god, I have shifted so many times. I began in country and switched to pop. I have shifted collaborators…the list goes on. I think the biggest lesson, for me at least, is to enjoy the journey of shifting because change is so vulnerable. You have to remind yourself that shifting is a part of growth and that’s something to celebrate.

What advice would you give to artists looking to form meaningful connections in the industry?

I think the best way to form meaningful connections in the industry is to know who you are first. It all starts with you. I’m big on manifestation and the law of attraction and I think that the Universe responds to us knowing who we are with really meaningful people who align with us and make a difference in our art.

How do you balance vulnerability and creativity while still making music that resonates with a broad audience?

This is one of the hardest things to learn to balance…especially for me because I’m such a “feeler”. It’s actually a super fun challenge to figure out ways to say how I feel in a way that resonates with others. I think most songwriters are subconsciously like super-empaths for that reason.

What’s something you think more artists should know about managing their careers?

You can’t be afraid to advocate for yourself. I think that’s one thing I’ve had to get comfortable with as an indie artist. If something doesn’t sit right with you and your music, you have to say something. It’s so hard to do but so necessary. I used to be so afraid of making the vibe weird if I spoke up about something that bothered me or didn’t feel aligned with me and the more comfortable I got with it, the more I noticed people understood who I am as an artist.

When you’re feeling stuck, what helps you get back into a creative flow?

I am a super visual person so whenever I get stuck, I watch a film that I find super aesthetically inspiring or start moodboarding. The movie, “Drive” is a go to for me!

Hell For Love is a song I wrote with the producer of my last single, “Till We Die”...Rob Reznick. He started this pretty, cinematic, synth-y vibe in the session that day and I was instantly obsessed. We wrote the lyrics so quickly. The whole thing was so effortless. I had just started dating someone at the time and I was feeling sooooo much. That’s why so much of the song is surrounded by the lyrics “too much”.

How has Playlist Push contributed to your growth as an artist?

Playlist Push slays! As an indie artist, releasing music is extra scary and Playlist Push makes it actually possible to stream, being indie. It gives you confidence to keep releasing music and reach people you never thought your music would reach. I absolutely loveee it.

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