Julian Perretta Interview

19 year old Julian Perretta is (with Master Shortie) the most fresh-faced of our Spanking New for 09 nominees.

The North London native has a major record deal and is working with some very experienced producers. We got all the info before anyone else...

MTV: How did you get started?

I started making music when I was about 15 - I was always into knowing how records were made. I was into The Kinks, David Bowie and Phil Spector and in bands at school but when I left I wanted to do my own thing and make albums.

Which instrument did you pick up first?

I was about 8 or 9 playing Beatles tracks with my Dad on the guitar. I didnt keep at it though. I found it boring to sit and learn chords. I didnt want to do it so I moved over to the piano.

Who has worked on your debut album with you?

Ive written the record with two guys who were in Jamiroquai- Matt Johnson and Rob Harris. Someone will come in with a riff and well build it from there.

How did you start working with them?

I left school at 16 and went to a drama school and got really obsessed with Jamiroquai. I looked for them on MySpace and they got back me.

I went over to one of their houses and wrote a song. Since then weve done the whole album together- I signed a record deal two years after I met them.

Why did you get so into Jamiroquai?

The atmosphere of their music attracted me. Its very melodic but has this cool element to it. Stuff like Deeper Underground has amazing basslines.

Is the album ready for release?

Weve recorded about 30 tracks over two years. We are just fine-tuning the last few at the moment. We are going over old stuff and we are on the last leg.

Weve got 10 tracks that we are really into but the record company might like different ones.

How does it on Tips for 2009- type lists?

When you are making music you are doing it out of love. I wasnt that worried what people thought but then when I saw myself on a few websites I was honoured. Its very exciting.

Have you done much touring yet?

Yeah- Im quite bored of being in the studio all the time! I did a bit of a tour with Mark Ronson and got a taste of it and now Im gonna get out there with the tracks see how people take it.

Did Mark Ronson give you any tips?

We were on a bus together for about a month so yeah. He said to enjoy making this first record because I can make mistakes and keep going back to the songs. I learnt to take time over my records because he spends weeks on his tracks.

What will be the first single?

Wonder Why caught a lot of peoples attention but we are not sure if its gonna be a full release yet.

Melodically it works as a song. It has an element of Elton John and modern references like OutKast and Justin Timberlake. It was the song that got me signed.

What are you looking forward to in 2009?

To reach as many people as possible. Id like to have everyone listening to my music from 10 year olds to people in their 40s and 50s.