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

Hi Julia, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
I think that there’s an inherent risk that we all take every day regardless of what we’re doing. Every time you get in a car you risk getting in an accident, every time you try anything new you risk failing- sometimes publicly. Risk and reward go hand in hand. I definitely have a little voice in the back of my mind that urges me to fear the unknown, but with every failure I learn something useful moving forward, and with every success my confidence in my own decision making grows. Pretty much every single career and personal success I’ve ever had has begun with taking a risk, usually in the form of just putting myself out there, which has always been tough for me as a more introverted person. I’m always grateful for having tried, even if only to avoid wondering for the rest of my life what could have happened if I did.

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.
As I grow in my artistry one of my goals has been to bridge the gap between my art and myself. One of my biggest challenges in the early days of my career was grappling with creating things that really spoke to me authentically vs creating things that I thought/hoped/dreamed others would resonate with. This dissonance resulted in years of confusion and frustration within my creative process, and I struggled to really connect with and own my own creations. I’m really proud of the way I’ve begun to treat my art as an extension of myself- something to be shared and enjoyed with others but also something deeply and fully for myself. I wouldn’t say that it was easy to figure out how to do that, but it’s been so worth it! If there’s anything I want the world to know about me, its that I approach my songwriting with honesty and integrity, my words mean a lot to me and I choose them carefully. I write songs to give voice to a part of myself that still feels small and voiceless, and I’m continuously humbled by the healing and freedom that it brings. I am a survivor of sexual abuse, and if there is one thing I believe in and fight for daily, its finding peace of mind and learning how to redefine myself on my own terms. I hope that my music can serve as a soft landing spot for anyone who feels alone, ashamed, and afraid. From my heart to yours, you are not in this life alone and you deserve freedom and peace!!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Another thing about me is that I am an absolutely HORRENDOUS decision maker, and I typically overthink myself into a rut until time has run out and I end up having to choose the fastest/most convenient option. However, if I’m feeling organized I think the best place to start with any travel itinerary is with the food. Philly is full of amazing restaurants, it’s so hard to choose. I think I would have to show them Pho 75 on Washington Ave, hands down the best pho spot in Philly and that is a hill I am more than willing to die on. Other honorable lunch/dinner spots would be Ratchada Thai&Laos cuisine, Buk Chon Korean Cuisine, Dos Segundo’s (Mexican), Pera (Turkish cuisine), and Dock St Brewery. I would probably also take them to see an open mic night or a show at World Cafe Live or Milkboy, karaoke at one of the hundreds of bars in Center City, or to go bowling at Brooklyn Bowl. There’s so many things to do here but if I’m totally honest I prefer not to leave my house unless absolutely necessary, and one of my favorite activities is just sitting/strolling alongside the Delaware River trail at sunset- even though its stinky<3

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I think my mom deserves the biggest shout out that I can possibly give. My mom has been my biggest supporter since day one, and has always shown up for me and encouraged me to be myself and give myself a chance. Sometimes you just need someone to believe in you when you don’t believe in yourself, and that is who she has always been for me. Thanks mom<3

Website: https://www.juliaprattmusic.com

Instagram: @juliaprattmusic

Youtube: @juliaprattmusic

Image Credits
Photos 1-5, and 7 all taken by Madi Napieralski Photo 6 taken by Amelia Magdalena

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