SLONE

roducer and songwriter Julie Slonecki, better known as SLONE, has a way of making listeners feel warm even on the coldest of nights. With a keen sense of humor and inward reflections, the artist holds a mirror to herself to spread a message of self-love and self-help with today’s debut release of Emancipation.

Slonecki’s previous solo records utilize elements of synth and electronics, presenting a product often influenced by surroundings. “It’s a different turn from my past albums, where the songs are a bit more about other people or outside factors,” she says. Now, the multifaceted artist takes an internal gaze, crafting indie-pop that bleeds with hip-hop tones to produce a sound that reaches new heights as SLONE treks on as a trio with Dustin Williams (bass) and Dylan Hansen (drums).

The album, recorded at Slonecki’s home only using a Fender Strat guitar and loop pedal, acknowledges the difficult journey that is life and recognizes freeing oneself from self-sabotaging internal voices. Upbeat rhythms meet positive lyrics, leaving a memo of self-adoration that echoes with every song on SLONE’s latest record. - Lauren Leathers

On her 2015 album Apogee, Julie Slonecki created haunting, skeletal electronic pop, taking a confessional folk-based lyrical approach and applying some modern technology to it. That album is inadequate prep for her new single, "Free From Me," a languorous, funky, midtempo workout based on electric guitars, live percussion, and a multilayered vocal hook that is infectiously catchy. It's a world away from what Slonecki was doing just a couple of years ago, and that's before guest vocalist RGB busts the door down with his smooth mid-song rap. The song, a calling card for her new album Emancipation, represents a definite change in approach for Slonecki. "I think what ended up happening after I put out Apogee is that I realized that I wanted to challenge myself to do the opposite," she says. "I wanted to use live instrumentation with no electronic effects at all. That's where this new group of songs originated. All the songs on the new album are in that same vein as 'Free From Me' with the same instrumentation, including live drums." —Vincent Harris THURSDAY - Charleston City Paper

Today we’d like to introduce you to Julie Slonecki.

Julie, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
It all started when I wrote a song called “Tornado Blasters”, which became an instant second-grade classic. I look back on that song and think, wow I was a strange child. My high school band actually resurrected “Tornado Blasters”, performing it as a hardcore thrash metal song, which by the way, fit the lyrics a little too well.

Since that time I’ve earned expensive degrees, and a lot of first-hand knowledge of the music business. I grew up in Charleston, SC, but have lived in ATL for the last 3 years now, and more recently I’ve had the pleasure of meeting and playing with two well-seasoned musicians, Dylan Hansen and Dustin Williams, who together, make up SLONE, my newest musical endeavor.

The first single off the upcoming album, “Free From Me”, will be released Sept. 13th, with the full album following in early November. We hope it will earn us a grammy if not a Pulitzer Prize.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
What musician hasn’t faced struggles? At least I still have most of my hearing, unlike Beethoven – But Beethoven didn’t have to navigate a world in which cute cat pics get more likes than great art. Thanks internet!

But in all seriousness, it is hard out there for artists these days, you have to fight through masses of competitors on social media etc and somehow get your music heard. CDs are dying/dead, and there’s no medium that has yet to arise to replace it that can be sold at live shows. Streaming is expected, and unfortunately not always lucrative for the independent artist. All of these things make it a full-time job to achieve any level of exposure.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about SLONE – what should we know?
We specialize in more of the rock side than the roll, meaning what you might ask?

Meaning, we like humor, and have decided to let bleed over into our live shows and subsequently, interviews. I think it’s something we can bring to the table to capture the love of the audience – we not only have kick-ass songs, but also a very funny, approachable and engaging demeanor on stage. We still value great musicianship and cultivate innovative and catchy tunes, we just sprinkle in some antics here and there, because who doesn’t love those?

SLONE is about doing what we love, doing it well, but not taking ourselves so seriously that we can’t be relaxed and be who we are. We can’t wait to share our first single, “Free From Me”, which comes out Sept. 13th. Look for it everywhere music is sold, and even places it isn’t.

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
– My parents – for giving me their DNA and love.

– The numerous great musicians I’ve had the pleasure of playing with over the years who taught me invaluable skills and helped me to carry heavy musical equipment from one place to another (John Pope, Caleb Bodtorf, Will Stewart, Michael Morella, Dylan Hansen, Dustin Williams, and many others).

– My partner Tania Dyle for being a continuous positive force in this often downright difficult industry, and for pushing me to continue to go after what I want. That’s the thing I need the most.

-The support of so many friends along the way, wouldn’t be here without help from all of you. - Voyage Magazine

It all began with “Tornado Blasters,” a track Julie Slonecki wrote in second grade that she’s revisited with a few different bands throughout the years.

“I’m still trying to figure out what it means,” Slonecki says with a shrug.

The Charleston native, who now spends most of her time in Atlanta as a graphic and website designer for a web development company, has her own solo music project, along with roles in bands like the Lowcountry’s own parody group Sexbruise? and as a composer for video game and movie soundtracks.

She graduated with a composition degree from Washington and Lee University in Virginia, but her recording days began in high school when she discovered her parents’ old 8-track recorder.

Her parents were both in a band in the ’70s — Slonecki shares visions of matching red button-up shirts, reversible vests, bell bottoms and cover gigs. And the 8-track was a leftover memento that Slonecki used as a way to carry on her parents’ legacy.

Slonecki’s intimate, emotional songwriting was not meant for disco balls and synchronized dance moves. But it wasn’t confined to a particular genre either. Her Midi keyboard has allowed access to limitless instrument sounds, and her 8-track recording days have informed her current pursuit of DIY bedroom recordings, now digital instead of analog, as she uses her MacBook and recording software Logic.

Following in the footsteps of The Postal Service, a band she idolizes, Slonecki has both an indie rock album, “Truth/Ideals,” and an electronic album, “Apogee.” Her upcoming disc “Emancipation” is something she describes as dancier pop, in the realm of Vampire Weekend. Oh, and she dropped a hip-hop single.

“I feel like I’m drawing from so many different genres and influences,” Slonecki says. “I haven’t been able to stick to one.”

And now, she’s joined by two others and branding her three-piece outfit “Slone,” a band that will play some gigs in the next couple of months, following the album release.

While the album was recorded in her bedroom studio using loop pedals, an acoustic guitar and a partial drum kit, the live performance will include an in-the-flesh drummer, Dylan Hansen, and accompanying bassist, Dustin Williams, who are the other members of Slone.

“As far as energy, it’s a lot easier to have a band behind you,” Slonecki says. “You don’t have to be the sole focus of attention.”

She’s also enjoyed collaborating with other local musicians for her upcoming single from the new album, “Free From Me.” The song features local hip-hop artist RGB, who also made an appearance on Slonecki’s 2017 single, “We the People.”

“He’s a great wordsmith,” Slonecki says. “We’ve been collaborating on and off.”

Slonecki is hosting a single release party on Sept. 13 at The Royal American at which she will reveal the new track. She’ll also play several songs from the new album at the show.

“This ... is the first set of songs I’ve written that are all internal dialogue about myself battling my own inner negative thoughts and recognizing that, for me and a lot of artists, the thing that holds you back is often your own negativity or pessimism,” Slonecki says.

Slonecki’s eventual goals are to grow her bedroom recording process into more of a full-studio production company. She’s already worked with some other Southeastern artists to achieve their sonic visions, and her hopes are to expand that creative outlet.

“I’m much more exploratory and free with other peoples’ projects than I am with my own,” Slonecki says. “It’s been fun to experiment a little more.” - Charleston Post and Courier

"Slonecki has spent the last couple of years gigging in Charleston, SC, building a following and making a name for herself, as well as collaborating with other musicians who have helped to shape her exciting new direction...It's hard for me to pick a favorite track on this album because they're all so good. I love the bluesy sound of "Lay Me in the River," the upbeat pop vibe of "Garden Gnome," and singing along to "Erase." But you need to listen to it and decide which is your favorite". - Kimber's Great Adventure

"While in Virginia, the singer-songwriter started exploring some of the foundations for her third album, Truth/Ideals, which was released on Nov. 17. Longtime fans may be surprised by the direction Slonecki takes on the new record, which incorporates an electronic approach among the acoustic stylings she's better known for. It's due in part to a creative collaboration Slonecki formed this summer with a group of musicians, photographers, and videographers from Washington and Lee...Though she thinks she'll stay on this electronic path for at least a little while, Slonecki hopes Truth/Ideals showcases her versatility. After all, it's not a purely electronic album, and it's not a purely acoustic album either. Instead, it offers an unexpected blend of the two genres" - Charleston City Paper

"The album features diverse instrumentation and a mix of upbeat and down-tempo tracks that you will find yourself humming long after the songs have ended. What's more, Slonecki's sultry voice, tight harmonies, and ability to record and mix her own albums show that she's more than just a pretty face"
- Kimber's Great Adventure

"Her lyrics are poetic, meaningful, and deeply personal. When she sings, it's as if you're listening in on a very private conversation between her and a close friend. What makes her lyrics even more appealing is Slonecki's phenomenal vocal ability.
While most of the record can be characterized as folk-pop tunes, funk, rock, and even a glimmer of hip hop (see track 4) find a perfect setting in these songs. Act Tough seamlessly moves from heavily rhythmic pop songs to stripped-down folk tunes and back again, providing balance and variety throughout the entire experience" - WLUR 91.5 Music Review

While we were going all bonkers for the music of Sexbruise? recently, the band’s keyboardist/vocalist Julie Slonecki was busy putting the finishing touches on her latest solo effort, Apogee, a stellar collection of electro-pop that’s straight from outerspace. “Think of the album as Grimes with a touch of Imogen Heap vocal layering and a dash of the lyrical stylings of Jenny Lewis,” she says.

Originally from the Lowcountry, the singer-songwriter recently relocated to Atlanta, where she was able to set up a home studio and complete the record. “I made the move in hopes of expanding my audience and to take a music-teaching position, but mainly because I love traffic and being stuck in it,” she says.

The fact that Slonecki took her time to complete her masterpiece is obvious, with each track introducing subtle complexities that make for an album full of moments you really have to groove to — like with the Apogee’s first single, “Thoughtful Human Being,” an ethereal but upbeat track that should be turned up loud late at night.

Slonecki will release the video on Fri. Nov. 20 for “Apogee,” a song co-written by Athens-based videographer Drew Jacoby, who also directed and produced the video.

Apogee will be available in its entirety on Wed. Nov. 18 on all digital platforms, and you can order a physical copy on julieslonecki.com. - Charleston City Paper