Selena Gomez on working with Julia Michaels
Saturday, July 14, 2018
Julia Michaels feels like a therapist. The 23-year-old songwriter—and now, solo artist—has penned hits with some of the biggest pop acts from Justin Bieber to Britney Spears, and she admits the writing sessions can get personal, vulnerable and sometimes awkward—like therapy. “I go into the room and talk to them, and try and make them feel calm,” she said, “And what happens in that room stays in that room.”
After years working behind-the-scenes (she wrote her first single 19), things changed when Michaels penned “Issues,” her minimal, yet radio-friendly hit inspired by a tense moment in her relationship. The song was too close to home to give to someone else—so she kept it for herself, and released it as solo artist this January. It’s already spent at least 15 weeks on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart.
Meredith Truax
“Issues” may be Michaels’ debut single, but you’ve heard more songs by her than you know. “Sorry” by Justin Bieber? Hers. “Good For You” by Selena Gomez? She wrote it. “Close” by Nick Jonas? She’s in the credits. “Used to Love You” by Gwen Stefani? Yeah, she had a hand in that, too.
One of her most recently-released works is Selena Gomez’s “Bad Liar,” which actually sounds quite similar to “Issues.” Michaels teamed up with her frequent collaborator Justin Trainer and Ian Kirkpatrick for the single, and even fulfilled her “biggest dream on this earth” by working with Talking Heads’ David Byrne. (They sampled the baseline from the band’s “Psycho Killer.”)
Just last night, Michaels announced she’s releasing another solo single, “Uh Huh” on June 2, and her first EP is well on its way.
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After years working behind-the-scenes (she wrote her first single 19), things changed when Michaels penned “Issues,” her minimal, yet radio-friendly hit inspired by a tense moment in her relationship. The song was too close to home to give to someone else—so she kept it for herself, and released it as solo artist this January. It’s already spent at least 15 weeks on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart.
Meredith Truax
“Issues” may be Michaels’ debut single, but you’ve heard more songs by her than you know. “Sorry” by Justin Bieber? Hers. “Good For You” by Selena Gomez? She wrote it. “Close” by Nick Jonas? She’s in the credits. “Used to Love You” by Gwen Stefani? Yeah, she had a hand in that, too.
One of her most recently-released works is Selena Gomez’s “Bad Liar,” which actually sounds quite similar to “Issues.” Michaels teamed up with her frequent collaborator Justin Trainer and Ian Kirkpatrick for the single, and even fulfilled her “biggest dream on this earth” by working with Talking Heads’ David Byrne. (They sampled the baseline from the band’s “Psycho Killer.”)
Just last night, Michaels announced she’s releasing another solo single, “Uh Huh” on June 2, and her first EP is well on its way.
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