Julia Raye: Behind the Lyrics of 'Wish You Stayed' and Her Journey to Musical Authenticity

Photo credit: Bailey Ann

Julia Raye is carving her own path in the music industry, blending classical training, pop sensibilities, and heartfelt storytelling into a sound that’s both unique and deeply resonant. With her latest single, "Wish You Stayed," Julia steps into new territory, offering her first ballad—a hauntingly emotional track that showcases her versatility as an artist. In this exclusive interview, Julia opens up about the inspiration behind the song, her creative process, and the experiences that have shaped her journey from Long Island to the spotlight.

Nicolle: "Wish You Stayed" has such a haunting and relatable feel to it. Can you tell us more about the writing process for this song and what it was like channelling those personal emotions into lyrics?

Julia: “Wish You Stayed” is one of those songs that felt like sharing my diary with the world. It’s a very intimate song. I wrote from a place of reflection looking back on my past relationships and It definitely shows when you listen to the lyrics.

Nicole:  Working with a legendary producer like Bret "Epic" Mazur is incredible! How did that collaboration come about, and how did he help shape the sound of “Wish You Stayed”?

Julia: Working with Brett was amazing. We met through a mutual connection and clicked right away. Living on completely different coasts, we would have Zoom calls all the time working on how we wanted the song to sound and what we wanted my listeners to feel while hearing it for the first time. When we finally got into the studio we were so excited and ready to go. 

Nicolle: You've had major success with recent singles like "Expectations" and "Give You Up." How does "Wish You Stayed" differ from or build upon your previous releases?

Julia: “Wish You Stayed” is the first ballad I've ever put out. In the past, my music has been very pop/R&B driven, but “Wish You Stayed” almost has a sort of country feel to it. I just loved the idea of having an acoustic track that lets the lyrics speak for themselves. 

Nicolle: You mention drawing from real-life texts and notes for inspiration. Do you find that writing from personal experiences makes it easier or harder to craft your lyrics?

Julia: I believe it does. Drawing on my experiences makes it feel more real and personal. At the end of the day, it’s about how I feel about the given situation. It’s about my reaction more than anything. 

Nicolle: Having a classical background under the guidance of George Shirley must have been formative. How has this classical training influenced your style in pop and R&B?

Julia: Studying classical voice under George Shirley has shaped my voice as a singer. He has changed my life and my vocal career in so many positive ways. My classical background allows me to sing complicated riffs as well as hit big lyric melodies. My classical background has taught me so much about vocal technique and health. I come at my songs with a different tone than most singers. I tend to focus a lot on breath support and diction and often call upon the training from my opera background to create a pure sound. There are so many times while recording that I think “Omg, Professor Shirley would hate my diction in that take, let’s try it again.”

Nicolle: You grew up surrounded by music, dance, and theatre. What impact did your early experiences with musical theatre and choir have on your approach to performing and connecting with audiences?

Julia: I learned work ethic at a very early age. After joining my first choir for the first time in fourth grade, I knew this was what I was meant to do for the rest of my life. I was determined to work hard and learn as much as I could about the industry. I was constantly performing when I was young, auditioning for any show I could, taking dance lessons, acting lessons, and studying classical voice. My experiences have taught me so much about the industry and have allowed me to become the performer I am today. 

Photo credit: Bailey Ann

Nicolle: With musical influences like Beyoncé and Ariana Grande, how do you blend elements of pop, R&B, and your operatic training to create such a unique sound?

Julia: I like to blend my operatic technique with pop music to showcase my vocals. My classical background gives me the support to bring a big voice and complicated riffs into catchy pop music. As I keep creating, I intend to keep curating my sound into something unique and memorable.

Nicolle:  "Wish You Stayed" deals with the complexities of letting go of a relationship. What do you hope listeners take away from this song, especially those who may be going through something similar?

Julia: I hope people can listen to my music and feel like someone is saying all of the things that they have been thinking. 

Nicolle: Looking back on your journey from Long Island to studying at the University of Michigan, what moments stand out as pivotal to your growth as an artist?

Julia: Studying with George Shirley at the University of Michigan and completing my first solo voice recital was a pivotal moment for me. That was my first big solo performance that I planned entirely on my own, from choosing repertoire to booking the venue and hosting a reception. That was one of my most proud accomplishments and it taught me so much about what I was capable of doing by taking things into my own hands.

Nicolle:  What can fans expect next after "Wish You Stayed"? Are there more singles or an album on the way?

Julia: I have so much more music that I am beyond excited to release soon. If you liked “Wish You Stayed” just wait till you hear what I’ve got in store for you guys!!

Photo credit: Bailey Ann

Julia Raye’s artistry is a testament to the power of authenticity and dedication. With "Wish You Stayed," she delivers a track that’s not only musically rich but emotionally raw, connecting listeners to the universal experience of love and loss. As she teases more music on the horizon, it’s clear Julia’s star is only just beginning to rise. Fans of her haunting ballads and powerhouse vocals should stay tuned—there’s so much more to come from this rising talent.

You can listen to Wish You Stayed on all streaming platforms

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Nicolle Knapova is a little bit of everything. She is a freelance translator, content creator and social media executive for The C Word Mag. She loves indie music and is always browsing through Spotify to find the next amazing artist to obsess over. Her love for storytelling means she’s always writing something and she’s not afraid of any genre. Her biggest dream is to be a published author. If she’s not writing her fan fiction, she’s writing her poetry and sharing it on her Instagram @elisecaverly.