She grew up reading about the architect she shares a name with. That story became the blueprint for her debut album.
When she was a young girl, indie-pop singer-songwriter Julia Morgan kept Celeste Davidson Mannis’s book Julia Morgan Built a Castle next to her bedside. The picture book tells the story of the famed Julia Morgan, who defied the odds to become California’s first licensed female architect, designing more than 800 buildings, including Hearst Castle. It’s a profound coincidence that Julia and the trail-blazing architect share the same name.
As Julia entered adolescence, the idea of designing a life - much as the architect Julia Morgan created inviting and inspiring structures - became a powerful metaphor for Julia. Inspired by her namesake, Julia wrote her introspective, cinematic and uplifting debut album, The Architect.
“When I wrote these songs, I wanted to connect with my emotions through music and allow my feelings the space to express themselves. The songs helped me understand myself—and I hope they provide comfort and inspiration for others.”
Today, Julia is a thoughtful and creative young artist seeking to understand herself and the world around her while pursuing her desire to connect with others through her art. She is building the life she mapped out in those foundational songs.
Julia co-wrote and executive produced all nine songs on The Architect with LA-based producer and songwriter Stella Smyth. The collection brims with a depth of empathy and emotional maturity unusual for a teenager. Julia melds rawly emotive lyrics and intimate storytelling with a richly layered pop sensibility. Her production choices—including strings and narrative soundscape embellishments—add a dynamic dimension to the album. “These songs are not just real, they’re raw,” a fan expressed. Julia has earned favorable comparisons to Lana Del Rey, Billie Eilish, Gracie Abrams, and a hint of Taylor Swift.
Interestingly, the brooding, self-reflective nature of Julia’s songs contrasts with how many people know and understand her. Her sandy-blond wavy hair, blue eyes, and warm, sunny personality belie the intensity of her artistry. Furthermore, Julia is a hilarious stand-up comic and a gifted actress.
“People might see a contradiction between my personality and my music because they might not imagine me expressing these emotions,” Julia says. “The truth is that we all need to allow ourselves to acknowledge our dark feelings to grow. That’s how we build confidence in ourselves and develop meaningful connections with others.”
Julia may be just starting her music journey, but she has already built an impressive platform as a modern entertainment professional. On Instagram, she has earned over one million views on several of her comedic videos after they went viral. She was the Little Anastasia understudy in Anastasia on Broadway and guest-starred on the HBO comedy-drama Divorce, opposite Sarah Jessica Parker. She was also Gretl in the Sound of Music, Matilda, and Peter Pan when she was younger, and Val in the Chorus Line last year. She also played the twin sisters in the Audible comedy podcast Trust Fall, alongside Colin Jost, Wanda Sykes, Neil Patrick Harris, Heidi Gardner, Rachel Dratch, and other SNL comedians. She was also featured on the comedic audio show The Best Man’s Ghost Writer with Glen Powell. In addition, Julia is a working comedian who organizes and hosts an annual stand-up comedy fundraiser for New York City food charities including Grassroots Grocery at Comic Strip Live.
Julia grew up as the oldest of four siblings and displayed her showbiz talents from a young age. At the age of four, she spent eight months writing, directing, and designing the costumes and set for a homespun play. She eventually became a working child actress, often getting picked up at the theater at 9:55 p.m. and then rushing home to get enough sleep before school at 8:15 a.m. Unlike many Broadway kids, Julia wasn’t homeschooled. She loved going to school each day before heading to the theater.
Similar to many other artists during the pandemic, Julia dealt with being isolated at home without outlets to perform. At 11, Julia picked up a ukulele and began songwriting with the only three chords she knew. To help her along, Julia’s parents connected her with Billboard-charting writer and producer Stella Smyth, then a 19-year-old college student studying music at NYU. Stella became Julia’s mentor, and over the past several years, Julia flew to LA, where Stella now lives, to record The Architect.
Julia and Stella’s relationship has been crucial to Julia’s blossoming as a singer-songwriter. She honors that influence by working with women across her creative endeavors and shining a light on female narratives in The Architect. The ethereal folk song “Fallen Leaves” explores generational trauma between mothers and daughters with tenderness and sharp insight.
“Performing” speaks to how Julia’s fear of comparison led her to quit ballet class after she was on Broadway, a decision that she has wrestled with ever since. It also speaks to how sometimes she has felt she has needed to “perform” in social settings to fit in. “Sometimes when I’m upset, it feels like I still have to put on a show for everyone. Making the music video for ‘Performing’ with my friends - several of whom are accomplished ballerinas - reminded me of how much I enjoy dancing for its own sake and love admiring my friends’ talents rather than constantly worrying about my own technique. The experience of filming the party dance scene also reminded me of how rewarding it is to perform together in real life rather than just acting for a screen and how lucky I feel to be a part of such a supportive community,” she reveals.
The piano ballad “Before the Grave” features a gentle, talk-sung vocal delivery that expresses longing for a more hopeful future. The song features a haunting chorus that conjures up memories of those we have loved and lost and compassion for our own psychic pain. The title track, “The Architect,” is a moody pop waltz partly inspired by the ethereal Celtic music of Enya. Lyrically, “The Architect” is a sonic vignette of Julia Morgan the teenager contemplating the awe-inspiring professional journey of Julia Morgan the architect.
No doubt many music lovers will listen to The Architect and marvel at the singer-songwriter, actress, and comedian’s beautiful lyrics, intricate orchestration, and deep expressions of vulnerability. Hopefully, the album will help listeners feel that they are not alone in their dark emotions and leave with a sense of optimism and compassionate self-reflection. “I learned in making this album that we are truly the architects of our future,” Julia says. “I hope it empowers others to pursue their own talents and dreams with hope and a deep belief in themselves.”
Acting & Comedy
Broadway. Little Anastasia understudy in Anastasia on Broadway.
Television. Guest star on HBO’s Divorce, opposite Sarah Jessica Parker.
Comedy podcasts. Audible’s Trust Fall with Colin Jost, Wanda Sykes, Neil Patrick Harris, Rachel Dratch and other SNL comedians, and The Best Man’s Ghost Writer with Glen Powell.
Stand-up. Julia organizes and hosts an annual stand-up comedy fundraiser for New York City food charities at Comic Strip Live. See more at comedyforgood.com.
