Written by Lauren Rosier
Soulful singer/songwriter, Juliana Riccardi, is thrilled to announce her sophomore EP, Full Cup, due out on October 8. Today, she invites you to listen to the lead single, “Full Cup,” an introspective track that answers the age-old question of whether you view life as glass half-full or half-empty.
The track was recorded live and showcases her powerhouse vocals, which are layered over a beautiful blend of trumpets, guitars, and soft drums that compliment her soulful voice. The track was mixed by nine-time GRAMMY Award-Winner Darrell Thorp (Beck, Radiohead, Switchfoot, Jenny Lewis, Metric), and details moments of clarity as she “views her relationship through cups of coffee, water, and whiskey.”
“It’s about being happy with yourself and all the aspects of that feeling,” Riccardi shares. “Each verse shows a side and perspective of you but can also be related to a romantic relationship as well. That was the initial inspiration behind the song, however over time it became much more than that. Whether you’re waking up to yourself or someone else, you’re full.”
On working with Darrell Thorp on “Full Cup”: “I love how he preserved the dynamics of the live band performance while elevating the tune sonically. There was magic he was able to bring to the forefront without losing the organic space in the recording.”
Riccardi‘s new single, “Full Cup,” is truly an excellent song to release as the lead single, as it integrates multiple aspects of personality; from her “native New Yorker grit,” to blends styles of music that have influenced her authentic voice, including her background in Jazz Performance, connections with blues and roots music, and the influences of 60s and 70s (such as Stevie Nicks, Creedence Clearwater Revival, and Bonnie Raitt) music.
While searching for truth with her personal expression, the Los Angeles musician reveals a new piece of her dynamic sound on Full Cup, recorded at Dreamland Recording Studio, and combines both analog and digital effects to create an incredible textural recording.
“Recording at the legendary Dreamland Recording Studio in NY was literally that: a dream,” Juliana shares. “It was a playground of killer vintage instruments and analog gear in a magically converted church out in nature. GRAMMY Award-winning mixer and producer, Will Hensley, along with producer and bassist Jeremy McDonald (Kevin Garrett), really helped elevate the performances and interpretations of these once acoustic-only tunes.”
