Juliet Simms was kind enough to answer a few questions for PropertyOfZack. Automatic Loveletter will be releasing their debut album, Truth Or Dare, on June 22nd, so you should definitely check it out! Juliet talks about the album, Epic Records, and touring.
Truth Or Dare comes out on June 22nd. Do you see this as a fresh start from all of the past struggles with labels and touring?
I see it more as the next chapter rather than a start haha:) But I am very excited to START the next chapter!
“Story Of My Life” is more or less an autobiography of your time on the road since age 15. After three years of struggle with Epic, was there ever a point in which you were ready to give up?
I’ve definitely had moments of discouragement, but quickly snap out of it and remind myself “nooo you’ve worked to long and hard, besides what will you if not this? You don’t know how to do anything else” haha
Automatic Loveletter technically recorded a debut full-length in 2007 with Matt Squire, but it was never fully released. How was it working with Josh Abraham this time around? He has an impressive list of previous works.
It was amazing! I had more experience in being in studios; I had toured a lot more, much more seasoned and could relay my ideas better, musically, than I could before. Working with Josh was GREAT! Awesome team around him as well! He really understood me and pulled out things in me I didn’t even know I had!
Was the writing process for this record different from the bands past EP’s?
No pretty much the same..writing on my own, not as many cowrites as last time that’s for sure. The few collabs I did do were awesome! Got to write some more with my brother Tommy who’s the guitarist for the band, so I was really happy about that:)
How do you think the current lineup of the band changed the writing process? Automatic Loveletter has gone through multiple lineup changes, but would you say that this lineup is one that won’t be changing?
Yes, wont be changing anymore:) The current line up had nothing to do with writing process, nor did past lineups, with the exception of my brother.
“My Goodbye” was altered time after time due to issues with Epic. As an artist being forced to rewrite your own work, does that lessen the personal value the song has to you?
Black Ink Revenge was the original gangsta, but My Goodbye is still a song I love to sing and they’re still my words. My songs are my babies so it wouldn’t be fair to choose a favorite:)
When Sony picked you up after Epic did you expect things to move so quickly? How is the fit at Sony?
It actually went from Epic, to RCA to Sony..and no I didn’t expect things to move so fast. I wasn’t used to it. I was like “whoaaa..wait what? You actually get.things.done? That’s so weird”
Automatic Loveletter will be on the Warped Tour for the entire summer. Looking forward to it?
DUH!!!!! Hehe;)
After Warped nothing is set in stone yet, at least to the public’s knowledge. Should we expect touring plans through the fall and winter to be announced shortly, or will the band be taking some time off?
Tons of touring! Time off? shyaa right! Haha you’ll hear of something soon for sure:)
You’ve had guest spots with bands like All Time Low, Cartel, Secondhand Serenade, and more. Is it fun getting away from your own music periodically and recording with another band or artist?
Yes! I love it! Its really flattering too when I’m asked to do it. Especially because I respect all of those bands so much. Its fun whoring out my voice to other artist’s music:D haha
Thank you so much for your time, is there anything else you’d like to add?
Stay classy San Diego <3
