Julian Lamadrid is a young singer-songwriter and producer, who was born in Dubai to a family of Mexican expats. His early years were surrounded by lashings of literature, film and old school classics, such as Elvis, Pink Floyd and Bowie. At the age of 18 he moved to New York City, where his creative journey moved into high gear. Today, Julian’s work embraces a modern soundscape with anthemic melodies.
His latest single, ‘My Time’ boasts hip hop infused percussion, Eastern-inspired melody, and a lyrical journey that conveys the newfound confidence you feel when you realise someone isn’t worth your time, and the unbelievable relief when you find the strength to move on. “Time is the most valuable thing we have, don’t waste it on someone who doesn’t deserve it,” he says.
As for his playlist: “This is a list of 10 songs that transformed me as a young man living in Dubai, whose only access to genuine culture was through the music I’d stumble upon searching the depths of the internet. These songs formed my early teenage years and informed the musician I’d gradually become. These are the songs of my youth.”
1. Girls – ‘Lust For Life’
“The first time I felt comfortable enough with myself to scream out loud ‘Oh I wish I had a boyfriend’.”
2. Charles Ives – ‘The Unanswered Question’
“The first time that a song made me ponder the true immensity of the universe.”
3. Kanye West – ‘On Sight’
“The moment I first played Yeezus from beginning to end, I was changed forever, this song was my introduction to metallic beauty, distorted enlightenment, the power of ye.”
4. David Bowie – ‘Five Years’
“Bowie is everything to me now, but little did i know when pressing play to this opus that I would travel into an unknown universe. This song set it off.”
5. Joy Division – ‘Atmosphere’
“After I head this song, Ian Curtis become my obsession, I found out everything about the man and read whatever I could of his writings/poetry, it opened up a whole new way of writing and suffering, he was a martyr for the troubled young men who seeks solace in words, a symbol of artistic permanence and surrender.”
6. Daft Punk – ‘Touch (feat. Paul Williams)’
“’Touch’ was the height of the album for me, an opus of musical perfection, a sonic painting that broadened the possibilities of how music could sound and move for me. It is one of those songs that I listen to and I remember exactly how it made me feel on that first listen, the ecstasy, the wonder, the hope.”
7. Beyoncé – ‘Love On Top’
“I would turn this up loud when no one was home, blast it loud and let loose and try hit all the notes, it felt wrong, but in a freeing manner, so, so right.”
8. The Strokes – ‘Someday’
“Someday makes me young again.”
9. The Smiths – ‘This Charming Man’
“It’s a classic for a reason, I had never heard such a brilliant lyric as ‘I would go out tonight, but I haven’t got a stitch to wear.’ This was my teenage song.”
10. Suicide – ‘Dream Baby Dream’
“I was 14, my heart stopped beating, for five minutes I was transfixed, I was golden, I was at peace, I felt the eternal youth which since then has fled and left me stranded at the gates of adulthood. but I still dream, of those days, and of the ones to come.”
Julian Lamadrid’s latest single ‘My Time’ is out now. Listen to it HERE.
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Find Julian Lamadrid’s playlist below and HERE.