Automatic Loveletter ~ Interview

Words and Photos by Joe Koch

In 2008, I was blown away at the Vans Warped Tour by Juliet Simms. I was intrigued by her appearance — Sex Pistols meets Guns and Roses. Musically, her band, Automatic Loveletter, were favorites.

As fate would have it, the unpredictable music industry caused the band’s debut album to be delayed. But, after a couple of label changes they have found a new home at Sony Japan and will be releasing their first full-length album this June.

While on tour with Canadian favorite Matthew Good, the last night of their tour landed them in Rochester, N.Y. I was able to sit with Juliet and talk about the new album and her life in the music industry.

Has this tour with Matthew Good been more challenging than usual?

Yes, this tour has been very interesting because I’ve been touring for years to an all age market — meaning all age venues where kids could get in. We’ve been touring a lot with younger bands, so our fan base is quite younger than Matthew’s.

So this tour has mainly been 21 & over venues, some 18 & over. Either way our fans weren’t getting in. Every night it’s been 300 to 1,000 people having no idea who we were.

So, you had to win them over from the start, or else it would be a rough night?

During your live show you usually rock out a little more. Actually, a lot more! Is it hard for you to contain yourself to your seat when performing acoustically?

Oh my god! Did you see me out there? I would love to jump out of my seat, but it would be kinda awkward in an acoustic set.

Which do you prefer?

Definitely playing with a live band.

Do you find that you have more control with your vocals sitting down or running around on stage?

Standing, I have more control over my vocals. It’s definitely been the last two years that I’ve been able to hone in on how to sing live. So, the Warped Tour was the beginning stages for me knowing my comfort zone. So now I’m just so much more comfortable on stage.

You’re frequently compared to Haley Williams of Paramore.

That’s because she has a vagina and so do I.

Does the comparison bother you?

Ya know, when I get compared to her I don’t take it as an insult, ‘cuz she’s amazing. That girl can sing! But, we write completely different styles of music. We have completely different vocals.

A lot of the comparisons come from fans comments on various networking sites such as YouTube, MySpace and Facebook. Do you follow them?

I do read them but it doesn’t affect me. Are you kidding me? I go on Absolute Punk, MySpace, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube. I read everything.

Do you ever respond to something that pisses you off?

No, that would be so petty. When people talk shit about me, I just take it with a grain of salt. People are going to like you or not like you. You can’t yell at someone for having an opinion.

You are now 23 and you’ve been involved in music since you were 16. Do you still enjoy being on the road?

I’ve been doing this for so long that it’s actually become very easy. It’s become second nature. It’s a new adventure every day. Who would want to stay at home and not do this?

Your first full-length album was delayed for about two years. Was it mainly due to label changes?

Yes, we went from Epic to RCA. We’ve now found a home at Sony Japan. This record will be out in June, hands down, no fail. It’s been quite a ride for me.

Do you feel that you’ve earned your stripes in the music business?

I would say that a lot of girl singers don’t have the right to say they’ve earned their stripes, but I definitely have! I know that’s very pompous of me to say, but I can tell you that I’ve been through hell and back in this industry and I’m still doing it.

Ya know, I’m not gonna name any names, but there are certain female artists that have had everything handed to them on a silver platter.

I’ve toured without the support of a label and with the support. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been stuck in a car with five boys and starving. This is years and years of not having the support, so I’m hoping that perseverance will pay off.

Do you feel the delay of the record has been a good thing?

Yes, it’s definitely been a blessing in disguise. It’s allowed me to rewrite some songs. I’ve rewritten “Hush” seven times now. It’s allowed me to mature as a songwriter.

What can we expect with the new record?

Well, like I said, (I’ve) matured as a songwriter. I think on this album you’ll see the graduation from being compared to Paramore and Hey Monday. It still has some young pop elements to it but it has more of a sense of where I come from musically, like the Beatles, The Stones and Zeppelin.

A new song that will be on the record is “Fadeaway. “ Is that a real fear of yours?

That song is definitely the most emotional for me on the album because it’s been a long road for me. I’ve had opportunity after opportunity. It’s like how many times can you get signed, how many times can you get older, times not standing still. So you gotta step it up or my biggest fear is gonna come true: “I have so much to offer and no one is going to see it.”

A normal year for you is touring 10 months. Do you find it hard to have a love/social life?

Yeah, ya know, I’ve found a love life on the road a couple of times. That doesn’t work. But, I have lots of friends in California and Florida. For a while I had the love of my life. It would be nice to find someone to fall in love with, but for now my career comes first.

For more information go to: www.myspace.com/automaticloveletter