Meet Judah Lourde | Songwriter
We had the good fortune of connecting with Judah Lourde and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Judah, let’s start by talking about what inspires you?
I try and keep an open mind and stay inspired by every little detail of my lived experience, but that’s become relatively disruptive and unreasonable after all this time. There are two main things that have remained very inspiring to my creative process, one being the casual and conversational way in which humans interact with one another. Slang, mannerisms, expressions, and different regional vernaculars. Secondly, Christian theology is very appealing to me in a writing setting as well. My father did all of his schooling at a Catholic missionary boarding school in Nepal, then raised me in small-town Colorado, so the language and the stories were a present influence in my upbringing. I think being non-Christian while using Christian imagery in my songs offers a unique texture, kind of like an outsider perspective into that experience and that trauma. Maybe some people won’t like that very much, but I think it’s something a lot of kids from small, conservative towns can relate to. Especially those who are queer, of color, or at risk.
Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Judah Lourde & Co is a collective of recording and performing musicians helping me execute my songs and vision. I started truly crafting my sound at 16 in my bedroom on GarageBand but I didn’t feel like I had actually accomplished anything musically until this past year. That’s why I always try to go the extra mile in stressing the collaborative aspect of my music. Moving to from Longmont, CO to LA was pivotal in my development as a songwriter, but it got much worse before it got any better. There’s no way around the grief of being a young creative, you just have to go right through it until you wake up one day and realize you’ve had a decent year.
We started out with a rather unadulterated folk sound, exemplified by our debut single “Momentum.” Honestly, it took so long to cut the record, I didn’t identify with the sound anymore by the time we were done. I just wanted to show people that I have the lyric writing chops, if I don’t have anything else. These days, three years in, we still love a drivey-acoustic sound, but are really learning into electronic sounds, edgier elements, and are deeply influenced by the riot grrrl revival. Think, if Mitski sang for My Chemical Romance. That essence would be ideal.
The heart of the matter is derived from an unafraid disposition on every front. Judah Lourde & Co allows people to prevail beyond their resentment by turning it into something lovable. The only true hope I have for this project is that the listening experience reflects that. We are regular, burdened, working class people making music for underdogs, pariahs, The Other, young women, queer kids, POC; anyone unsure of their place in this world, their place in the eyes of God, just like us. Our art is resistant because we don’t know how to be any other way. It’s all the guts we have, and we just really hope it’s useful to people.
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
In this occurrence, I really like having a bank of activities and just picking and choosing by the day. In no particular order: Porto’s Bakery in Glendale, The Getty Museum + flower garden walkthrough, Museum of Death in Hollywood, Angel’s Tijuana Tacos in Eagle Rock (in front of the Target), catch a live show at Old Towne Pub in Pasadena, West Hollywood on a Friday night, Pasadena Antique, Venezuelan breakfast at Amara Cafe in Downtown Pasadena (leche con chocolate required), Amoeba Music in Hollywood, drinks + songwriting showcases at The Hotel Cafe, and a session at The Hobby Shop Recording Studios in Highland Park.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
The terrifyingly talented collaborators of Judah Lourde & Company. We’re called that because it truly does take a village. To my drum extraordinaire Brandon Lutz, my bassist/creative right hand Jed Alpert, and co-producers Cedar Klugherz & Aidan Murillo; you are the beating heart of this vision. It is nothing without the blood you poor into everything you touch. Also Mom and Dad, who have only ever believed in me and pushed me to every breaking point to make me better. Thank you forever.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/judahlourde/
Image Credits
Cody Mills
Riley Santos
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