Portrait: Justine Electra

By Contributing Writer on Wednesday, February 25, 2009 - 22:34

by Nepeace

Sometimes you are watching a television show or a movie and there is a song playing in the background which is just perfect for the situation. The song catches your attention but it doesn’t take over the scene. A song can make or break a scene in my opinion. So the other day I was watching The L Word when a certain song caught my attention and it was that particular song that I couldn’t forget. But I had no idea who the singer/songwriter was and to be quite honest I didn’t really search for it either.

So when I was asked to write a piece for eurOut  about Justine Electra I had no idea who she was. But since I love music and I have a weakness for singer/songwriters I was curious to find out. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that she was the woman who wrote that particular song.

Justine Electra is a young woman who was born in Melbourne, Australia. She is a multitalented woman, she writes her own songs, she studied voice, piano, studio and live recording. The only degree in contemporary music available in Australia at that time. Her unique way of absorbing influences from all around her and being able to translate them into her songs is an ability that not many people possess.

Justine moved to Berlin; ‘Berlin was really tempting. Squat spaces abounded. You could get your place for free and your electricity from the hallway. I went to various record labels, Jazzanova and Kitty-Yo, and went through their promo bins to find records I could DJ to earn money to buy food.’ (quote from Cityslang)

While on the weekends she was playing lounge and tek-house music, her own music developed into a private form of pop. It was at that moment that her talent was recognized by other Berlin artists and collaborations started to form. Her style is a mixture between pop and folk.

Justine’s debut album is called ‘Soft rock’, and was released back in June 2006. ‘Soft Rock is what we live, on the earth, and it's also another word for the heart. Its the kind of music all girls should play to their boyfriends, to let them know how they feel.’

De:bug, a german website about music asked her about the sexual orientation of her songs. Justine told them that her songs are written in an it-style, and not in the usual his/her-style. It doesn’t mean no sexuality, it just give a little bit more flexibility.

Her music is influenced by what she experiences and by the people that surround her. About the songs on ‘Soft rock’ she says the following; "I make music that is accessible to every single person that I have ever met,  it's accessible to everyone because it's about everyone. Everyone I meet tells me about themselves and what they like, what makes them feel. I try to channel that out through song". (another quote from Cityslang)

The reason why I am writing this review is because one of her dreams was recently full filled, not once but twice. In the last season of the L Word  two of her songs are used as part of two scenes. In episode 6x02 ‘Least likely’ during the scene in which Alice and Tasha are making the list with pro’s and cons about being together the song ‘Killalady’ is playing in the background. And in episode 6x03 ‘LMFAO’ the song ‘Calimba Song’ is playing during the wake up scene where Jenny and Shane awake and start kissing.

It must be a wonderful thing to see a dream like that fulfilled, not once but twice in a row. I can only recommend this artist to everyone, check out her website and myspace. Where you can watch her clips and listen to her songs.

[Pictures from Justineelectra.com]