Convict Julie on "Exquisite Pain"
Meet Convict Julie, a talented singer from Atlanta who is paving her way in the underground music scene. We interviewed the young songstress ahead of her latest album release, “Exquisite Pain.” Read on to hear about the experiences that inspired “Exquisite Pain,” and how she got her start in making music:
How did you get your start in making music?
I got into making music as a little girl—age six specifically—to cope with what was happening in my environment. Instability and danger was a part of my childhood atmosphere and music was the only way I could navigate those experiences and find peace.
What is the meaning behind the title of your album, “Exquisite Pain”?
Exquisite Pain is just that: a sad story painted beautifully. It’s like when you go to a gallery and see a haunting painting. It’s beautiful, but it hurts.
How have your life experiences contributed to the making of “Exquisite Pain”? What’s the story behind the album?
The album is specific to a time frame in my life. Summer 2020, I gave up music to become an organizing activist against police brutality and racial inequity in Athens, Georgia. I felt like during that time doing the right thing and helping my community took precedence over making music. I had the time, resources, and the platform and chose to be hands-on to contribute something tangible and sustainable for the people. I organized 100 days of consecutive peaceful protests in Athens, which resulted in incredible changes within our community, but the impact it had on my mental health was detrimental. No one ever talks about the mental/emotional sacrifice required to be in a position like that. Maybe it’s because there is a belief that we have to be strong instead of soft. Each day, I was threatened, berated, violated, people tried to physically harm me, and it broke me down, but I had to keep my composure as a leader and as a Black woman at risk. The silent and invisible battle I was facing in my declining mental health was something I could only express in music, which I did after completing my work in activism. Exquisite Pain is the story of a mental health crisis and what it’s like to come back from the other side of that through grief, love, loss of self, isolation, and redemption.
What’s one thing you want the listeners to take away from this album?
If this album resonates with the people, great, but if it doesn’t, that’s okay too. At some point we all have our lows and I hope people don’t drown in the trenches like I did, but if they do, I hope they know they are not alone and “Exquisite Pain” is something they can always look to for empathy. Mental health, especially in the Black community, isn’t always discussed openly, and I want this album to open doors for more discussions and action around normalizing and embracing mental health as a priority.
What’s one thing people don’t know about you that may shock them?
Most people don’t know that I used to be painfully shy and couldn’t perform. It was so bad that I got booed off stage at one point. However, after surviving a near-death experience, I realized shyness wasn’t an option and I had to go for it. My singing and entire performance style changed in the blink of an eye. Now I give every performance like it’s my last.