Julie Mintz’s Eternally Golden Era

Julie Mintz’s Eternally Golden Era

Motion by David L. Rivera

Photographed by Filbert Kung
Hair & Makeup Barbara Yniguez Redman
Models Eric Stanton Betts & RL Bond
with Q Model Management NYC/LA
Location The Grafton Hotel on Sunset
Talent PR Matt Dillon for MDPR
Thanks to Maggie Jackson
at Rose Public Relations

Julie Mitz is at her core a storyteller; whether it be through her moody and wistful music style, Gothic Americana, her breakout fashion choices at fashion weeks across the globe or in her upcoming novel, billed as the next inception of Sex & the City, she is a truly a chameleon of the arts who has taken the music and fashion worlds by storm in 2019 and is fast becoming a household name. With her new single, Purple Rain / Million Reasons out this month she again joined her longtime collaborator Moby in recreating two iconic tracks into one mashup that will leave you wanting more.
For our cover story, we collaborated with photographer Filbert Kung to further elevate her fashion icon status (Harper’s Bazaar named her ‘Best Dressed’ at NYFW in February 2019) and the results are pure perfection.
Julie Mintz is truly just getting started …

Tell us about your start in the music industry? How did you and Moby become long term collaborators?

Before I met Moby, I had been grinding in the music industry for a long time. I was writing songs alone in my bedroom and playing solo singer/songwriter venues mostly in Los Angeles and New York. But I had never made an album, and the “business” of music was something that intimidated me. I loved writing songs by myself, and I wasn’t comfortable branching out beyond that.
But as fate would have it, I was living in a little rental house in Beachwood Canyon in LA in the shadow of a real-life castle across the street. Los Angeles architecture is eclectic like that in that you can have a tiny mid-century modern house like mine next to a Spanish-style home and across the street from a 1920’s Normandy castle. I had heard that Moby bought the castle and was restoring it from the disrepair it had fallen into, but I didn’t know much about my new neighbour and had never met him.
One Sunday, I went out to water my plants and found a stranger moving my garbage cans to park in my driveway. This person was going to a housewarming party across the street and couldn’t find a spot to park. I found the whole thing to be funny. In return for parking, he asked me to join him at the party. I declined and told him he was welcome to park there, but I didn’t want to go to a stranger’s party with a stranger. I’m a loner by nature and socializing with people I don’t know did not sound like fun to me. But he convinced me to come with him for five minutes. And so, I met my neighbour Moby for the first time, who could not have been more gracious and welcoming.
We exchanged emails and very quickly had a friendly and musical rapport. He was wonderful about giving me feedback on new songs I was working on. And he would often ask me to run across the street and record vocals on tracks he was working on in his home studio (where he makes all his albums) when he needed a female voice. As time went on, I began performing with him whenever he had live shows, and he became a huge source of encouragement for me. He has produced most of the music I have released including my latest single.
You have just released your new single ‘Purple Rain /Million Reasons’ (a cover mashup) w Moby. Tell us about the inspiration and what it was like collaborating w him on your return to music in 2019.

Any plans to make a music video for the single?

I sort of love how we stumbled upon our Purple Rain/Million Reasons mashup, as it was not planned. While touring with Moby, he was looking for some covers to add to the set and suggested I try Purple Rain in a stripped-down acoustic style. I was resistant to the idea which is how most of our work relationship goes! It’s Moby with a good idea and me with my fear that I won’t be good enough pushing back and saying no. So, I was like, “No one wants to hear me cover Prince! I’m terrified.” And he explained that he didn’t want me to copy how Prince sings it. He wanted me to do it in my own vulnerable country-tinged melancholy way. And so, as I began working out my best key and just playing the “Purple Rain” chords on the piano and accompanying myself to get the feel of the song, I turned to Moby and said, “This sounds like A Million Reasons by Lady Gaga. It’s the same chords.” And just for fun, I sang Purple Rain straight into A Million Reasons. I thought he was going to tell me to stop, but he loved it and asked me to do it on the track. And our mashup was born. Interestingly, I was late to the Joanne album by Lady Gaga but luckily discovered the song and album after falling in love with her in A Star is Born and listening back to all her material.

Can we expect a new album before the end of the year?

I excited to focus on a single rather than an entire album. I’ve been promoting my album “Abandon All Hope of Fruition” non-stop since it came out in October 2018 so much so that I’ve just started writing new material. So, it feels like a good transition from such an intense album to put out my take on a cover mashup by two amazing artists.

In addition to music you’ve been billed as a Fashion It Girl; w Harper’s Bazaar naming you best dressed from NYFW in February. What trends, designers are you looking forward to in September?

Growing up in a small town in Corpus Christi, Texas I got my love of fashion from my mother. She was a real deal beauty queen and would drop us off and pick us up from school in full hair and makeup and rhinestone jumpsuits with padded shoulders. She is the original best dressed. I’ve always had a love for vintage dresses and am just starting to learn about the world of couture designers. I have never been crazy about following trends because I tend to like quite costume-y clothes and I also care more about how something fits my body than whether it’s on-trend. However, I will say that I think there has been a big resurgence in Western-style in current fashion, and I’m obsessed with that. Anything that makes me feel like a modern-day Dolly Parton is a yes. Paris, Texas is a cool boot/shoe line doing faux python printed knee-high boots that make me feel like I’m in the Wild West. I also love that lines like Isabel Marant and YSL are doing bandana print handbags.

What do you find more enjoyable, writing the songs or performing?

I’m more of a shy introvert than an attention seeker, so I enjoy songwriting more than being in front of a crowd. I started writing songs to express my inner world and turmoil and, as a by-product of wanting to share my music, performing was a bit of a necessity. I still have a lot of anticipatory anxiety before every performance. One thing I love about performing with Moby is I get to sing (which I have always loved doing) without the pressure of feeling like all eyes are on me.

If you could choose and musician, dead or alive, would you want to perform with and write with?

Joni Mitchell hands down. I had a chance to go to her birthday party a few years ago, but I was too afraid to meet her, and I stayed home. I didn’t want to meet her in a social setting. But any wisdom I could glean from her on songwriting, lyrics, or tunings would be beyond mind-blowing.

YOUR MOST LOVED VACATION DESTINATION?

I feel like I should choose somewhere more glamorous, but I love Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Growing up in South Texas so close to the border of Mexico, I was surrounded by a lot of Mexican culture. Everything about Mexico feels familiar and beloved to me. I think there’s also something very sexy about Mexico. And it’s an easy trip from California which is a bonus. A quick flight and you’re on the beach in your bikini drinking margaritas and eating chips and guacamole.

I also think Venice, Italy is the most romantic city in the world (more so than Paris) and I recommend everyone go once during the Festival of the Redeemer to see the out-of-this-world golden fireworks over the Grand Canal. I’ve been with my family, but I am dying to go back on a romantic trip and stay at the Hotel Bauer.

FAVOURITE ISLAND or BEACH HOTELS?

It’s been a decade, but I celebrated my birthday at Las Ventanas al Paraiso, A Rosewood Resort in San Jose Del Cabo and loved it there. This year I had a romantic getaway to Kai Hotel in Tulum, and it’s very small and private and off-the-beaten path of Tulum. I also had an amazing beach trip years ago with a friend to Parrot Cay, Turks and Caicos

I have a few! The above two are recommendations from my sister’s travels, of whom I am very jealous!

Japan
Ireland
The Pyramids in Egypt
The Maldives
Hotel Byblos Saint-Tropez
Mustique
La Fontelina in Capri

TOP SPA?

I’m not a big spa-goer while at home or on vacation. My self-care on vacation usually involves getting lots of rest and then just really enjoying myself by exploring and eating and being out and about. However, when I’m at home, whenever I have sore muscles or a migraine, I use the Soothe App to get a deep tissue massage right to my door, and then I’ll draw a bath and have my own in-home spa night.

YOUR VACATION STYLE?

I’m very type-A and organized in everything I do. I always make a list in my notes with each outfit I plan to wear for each day of my trip. Still, I like to look and feel effortless even if a lot of pre-planning has gone into it. I like my style to feel sexy, cool, and beautiful.

HOW DO YOU GET READY FOR A BEACH HOLIDAY?

A couple of musts for me before a beach holiday are a spray tan the day before. My legs just look better with a tan. And I make sure my Keratin treatment on my hair is up to date and I get a blowout. I have super wild hair, and it makes it more manageable in humidity if the keratin is fresh.

HOW DO YOU STAY IN SHAPE ON A HOLIDAY?

No one likes to relax more than I do! I would much rather get a great night of sleep on vacation that get in a workout. I’m also not a big drinker, so I think that helps with calories.

WHAT DO YOU PACK TO EXERCISE ON A VACATION?

If I am going to exercise on vacation, I want to take up as little space as possible with workout clothes since that isn’t the fun stuff. For example, right now I’m on a trip to NYC and brought two pairs of Ultracor leggings, two sports bras, and I wore my Nikes on the airplane. There is a Soul Cycle a couple blocks from my hotel so I will be able to do that while I’m here.

3 PACKING ESSENTIALS?

I can’t choose just three!

 Packing cubes from Flight 001
 Shoe bags by Eagle Creek from Container Store
 RIMOWA Train Case for toiletries
 Wax ear plugs (in case your room is by the elevator or the hotel gets noisy)
 Silk sleeping mask (in case the room doesn’t get blackout dark)

YOUR PACKING ADVICE?

Before I offer this advice, please know that I do not suffer from true OCD! I just take great pleasure in being organized.
Make a list ahead of time of each outfit I plan to wear, day and night including shoes; then add some other stuff I’ll probably never end up wearing, duh

Pack in cubes (I like to divide it up by dresses, bottoms, and tops among three cubes)

Put all shoes in shoe bags (for the love of god)

Pack toiletries separately in a train case (I keep it permanently pre-packed since I travel a lot, and if I use something up on a trip, I replenish it stat on Amazon)

Don’t bother unpacking when you get to your destination. It’s a waste of time, and who wants to unpack and re-pack on vacation! Just open your packing cubes and find what you need and replace neatly in your suitcase (exception: hang the few items that may wrinkle like long dresses).

SKINCARE TIPS WHEN TRAVELING?

I don’t change my skincare routine at all when traveling because I like to keep everything streamlined. I always have a toiletry bag pre-packed with duplicates of all my products, which makes it makes it easy to pack clothes and go. I’m in awe of people that can try lots of new products or pare down for a week when they’re out of town, but I have a routine that works for me and I find when I deviate from it, my skin isn’t as smooth or glowing.

WHAT IS YOUR AIRPORT STYLE?

I always wear a black or white crew neck silk t-shirt (from this random brand I found online called WinterSilks) when traveling because I have sensitive skin, and I want something soft protecting me from the rough fabric on the airplane seats as well as the irritating, dry air. If it’s a short flight, I might wear jeans. Otherwise, I have a favourite pair of black silk jogger pants that look chic but feel like pajamas. As for shoes, I love slip-on boots or zip-up hi-top sneakers like Golden Goose. Preferably a shoe with a sock in case I need to take my shoes off at security. And lastly, I always have a jacket or sweatshirt for warmth. A black hoodie is always cute or sometimes I opt for my Maje black leather jacket if I am planning on wearing it on my trip anyway.

DO YOU HAVE ANY BEAUTY TIPS FOR FLYING?

My beauty tips simply involve making sure my face is very clean and moisturized pre-flight. I make sure to wear my daily regimen of sunscreen mixed with a drop or two of Odacite Açaí and Rose French face oil. And I always have Aquaphor for my lips and Glysomed hand cream in a little essentials bag I keep with me in my seat. Yes, I have a pre-packed makeup bag that I bring on the plane that has lip gloss, hand cream, nail clippers, earplugs, silk eye mask, melatonin, a headphone splitter, Charlotte’s Web CBD drops, and a few other OCD essentials. But in general, I think planes are dirty and disgusting, so I would never apply any sort of beauty products or face masks mid-flight. It freaks me out when people do that. I prefer to do my skincare in a clean environment. Don’t mess with your skin on an airplane!

WHAT ACTIVEWEAR TREND IS A MUST TO PACK THIS SEASON?

I just bought my first Off White hoodie which I think is a cute way to stay warm on a flight and still feel stylish. I also like the women’s activewear at Kith. All the leggings on Carbon38.com by Alo and Ultracor are in heavy rotation, and my workout friends have just turned me onto Beach Riot and the Takara 7/8 length high waisted leggings as well.

WHAT SWIMWEAR TREND IS A MUST THIS SEASON?

I’ve always liked a strapless bandeau when it comes to swimwear. I’m fair and freckly, and I can burn if I’m not careful, so I find that’s the best way to avoid tan lines. But I am also loving the unique lines of the more stylized swimwear out now like the Alt swim bikini I wore for this shoot which is my own. I also own a couple of one shoulder bikinis from Triangl.com which my 15-year-old niece turned me on to. I have one in silver and one in black patent leather which are both fun for a fashion look at the beach. Be forewarned though that a one-shoulder bikini top will give you tragic tan lines—I speak from experience when I got burned while wearing this in Tulum!