Meet Jules Paymer | Songwriter, Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jules Paymer and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jules, let’s start by talking about what inspires you?
I am constantly inspired by the people around me. In writing music, I find that I must look for inspiration in everything around me; in conversations, in relationships, and in everyone and everything around me. I find that a lot of people actually talk in lyrics… they say pretty profound things that belong in music, and people just brush past those things in conversations. I constantly have my Notes app on my phone open to random phrases that people have said that I end up putting in to songs a lot of the time. I’m also very inspired by songwriters like Julia Michaels and Emily Weisband because they see the world like I do, like there’s something important in every conversation. I look to songwriters like them for inspiration everyday.

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.
I’m most proud of my songs that I’ve released under my own name. I think it’s because it took me so long to find my sound and realize who I really was that my music so perfectly encapsulates who I am as a person, songwriter, lover, friend and artist, all in one. I don’t think it was easy to get where I am. I had to be in a lot of bad sessions, bad meetings, and had to listen to a lot of “no’s.” A lot of the “no’s” were also people just not even saying anything at all. I had to keep pushing and trying because I know that I wouldn’t be happy doing anything else. There’s nothing else I could do in my life that’s not this. I knew I had no other choice but to do music if I wanted to be content with my life. I’ve learned that no one will ever care about me the way that I care about myself. You have to stick up for yourself and find your circle of people that will care about you and believe in you enough to give you opportunities. But at the end of the day, the music industry is just money, and you have to know your worth if you’re gonna get through it. I want the world to know that my brand is all inclusive, non conforming pure honest pop music.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend was visiting me in Nashville, I would take her out to eat for every meal if I could. Some first stops would be Taqueria Del Sol, Barcelona Wine Bar, Otaku Ramen, and Portland Brew. When we weren’t out to eat, we would be walking around Centennial Park or Hillsboro Village. Some nights we might catch a show at the Mercy Lounge or the Analog, and we’d definitely hit up Broadway to go Honky Tonking too.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would love to dedicate my shoutout to Lonnie Martinez! Lonnie taught me how to play the guitar and write songs when I was about seven years old. She showed me the best songwriters I know, and supported me when my music was no where near where it is now. Lonnie gave me the tools I needed and pushed me to move to Nashville and pursue this crazy dream of mine.

Instagram: @julespaymer

Image Credits
Jordan Merrigan, Brooke Harthan