Julia Messenger is an Australian singer-songwriter and producer best known for her work in the electronica, chill-out and jazz genres. She has performed, recorded and collaborated with Klaus Schulze, Henning Schmitz, Ferry Corsten, Klaus Waldeck, Manfred Leuchter and Scott Rockenfield.
Career Messenger has released three albums, with songs from those albums appearing on several compilation albums, including Pure Chill Out (2002) which debuted at No. 19 on the U.S. Billboard Top Electronic Albums Chart.
Messenger's songs have also had television placements in ABC's Miss South Sudan, Miss Australia, Bad Girls Club, and Thomas Banks: Quest for Love.
In 2006 The New York Times’ listed Messengers' song “Look Up, Look Down” as being included on the Top 5 playlists of songs heard in U.S. Restaurants.New York Times, Paul L. Underwood, The Remix; Ear Candy: Published: 5 November 2006
Messenger has performed at Australian venues including: Bennetts Lane Jazz Club, Melbourne Recital Centre, Montsalvat, Paris Cat Jazz Club, The Vanguard and The Basement.
Messenger has performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Alexis Bistro Ampang in Malaysia, Burg Wilhelmstein with Manfred Leuchter, and on the Midnight Sun Train across Finland with Iiro Rantala.
Messenger has performed as a session singer for artists Manfred Leuchter and Geoff Kluke and the Changes.
As a producer, Messenger remixed Australian band, Not Drowning, Waving’s song “Palau” for the Sonic Maps EP.
Messenger's works “Myamisumi,” “Glitter” “Lover Come Back” and “Stripped” have been remixed by producers Razoof, Rubbasol, Salz, Mod X, Charly H. Fox, Raubrec Team, Chris B, Peter Haze, and The Icons South Beach.
Ferry Corsten released a remix album of Twice in a Blue Moon, including the track co-written by Messenger, Black Velvet which was remixed by DJ Mind & Jerry Ropero.
German electronic music magazine, GROOVE has written about and reviewed Salz's remix of Messenger's “Myamisumi” and “Lover Come Back” as well as her collaborations with Whirlpool Productions and Marcus Worgull. Groove commented that “Julia sings into your heart and mine, truthfully so lovingly it rivals that of singer Nicolette.”
Sue Wilson of The Scotsman has written of Messenger's vocal talent: "…through the full spectrum, from fragile candied sweetness to a scorching soul-diva holler – echos of Mouth Music, Annie Lennox, Horse, Sinéad O'Connor…".Sue Wilson, The Scotsman, 5 Star Review, Edinburgh, 1998
Messenger is featured and interviewed in the book "A Singers Companion: Personal Wisdom from the Global Music Industry" by Australian singer Christine Sullivan and Monika Roleff, sharing experiences and guidance as an international musician.
Collaborations As vocalist and composer, Messenger has collaborated on many works with Klaus Schulze, a German composer and musician. The significance of her collaborations with Schulze are widely acknowledged and referenced in reviews internationally.
Klaus Schulze released limited box set editions of non-album material, of which Messenger collaborated on Contemporary Works I as a composer and featured vocalist, and Contemporary Works II as a featured vocalist. WorkCDTitleRole/sContemporary Works ICD #2: The Crime of SuspenseGood Old 4 on the FloorComposer, VocalistOverchillComposer, VocalistCD #8: Ballett 3My Ty SheComposer, VocalistCD #10: Adds & EditsVox ‘N’ HarmonyComposer, VocalistContemporary Works IICD #1: Virtual OutbackVocalistCD #2: Timbres of IceVocalistCD #3: Another Green MileVocalistCD #4: AndrogynVocalistCD #5: CocooningVocalist Greg Allen's book, “Klaus Schulze, Electronic Music Legend,” features Messenger as a collaborator of Schulze, writing about her compositions and performances as well as interviewing her regarding “The Crime of Suspense” of which she co-wrote two compositions and was featured as a vocalist. Allen comments on her performance of "Overchill" stating, "Julia Messenger and Thomas and Kagermann are both very creative and spirited musicians... adding a stunning new dimension to Klaus’s music." In writing about the title "My Ty She" Allen states, "The combination of your (Thomas Kagermann) ethereal vocals with Julia‘s makes it an extraordinary work."
Messenger's collaborations with Schulze's from Contemporary Works I and Contemporary Works II were re-released as independent albums under different record labels. YearAlbumLabels2006The Crime of SuspenseRevisted Records (SPV GmbH)2007Ballett 3Revisted Records (SPV GmbH)2008Virtual OutbackRevisted Records (SPV GmbH)2016Another Green MileMIG Music2017AndrogynMIG Music2018CocooningMIG Music2019Timbres of IceMIG Music Messenger also collaborated as a composer of “KS/Jay M.D” from Essential Edits Promo (2000) and performed as a vocalist on Shadowlands (2013), alongside Lisa Gerrard and Crysta Bell.
Awards In 2003, Messenger's songs “Do I Know You” and “Fresh On The Edge” were finalists in the Dance/Electronica category of the Australian Songwriters Association National Songwriting Contest. “Fresh On The Edge” was further recognised in the Top 10 finalists for the category.
In 2007, Messenger was a semi-finalist of the International Songwriting Competition in the AAA (Adult Album Alternative) category for "And We Danced” and in the Performance category for "So Complicated.” In 2016, Messenger was a finalist in EDM (Electronic Dance Music) category with her song “Stripped,” which was later awarded an Honourable Mention.
Artist discography YearAlbumLabel2003Julia MessengerWater Music Records/ UMRG2010Productions & CollaborationsSkip Sister Records2011Live At Bennetts LaneSkip Sister Records
Songwriting discography Messenger has had multiple cuts with artists Whirlpool Productions and Ferry Corsten, regularly performing as a vocalist on the recordings and being credited as a featured artist. YearAlbumLabelArtistSong2018LostCascade RecordsDarwinGlitter feat. Julia Messenger2013Goodbye LoverDetail RecordingsLYNX and HellrazorGoodbye Lover2008Twice in a Blue MoonFlashoverFerry CorstenBlack Velvet feat. Julia Messenger2008This is Not JazzIce And Spice RecordsMod XGlitter feat. Julia Messenger2007IceMoodfood RecordsMoodfoodPain feat. Julia MessengerFor the Love of YouButterflies2007Something To SayMoonray RecordsPFL (Pre Fade Listening)When You LoveRise and FallSomething To SayPlanetCool For Cats2006Every Heart Is A Revolutionary CellSPV RecordingsFury In The SlaughterhouseWhere You Fly2003Has It Come to This?Water Music RecordsORG LoungeButterflies – Org Lounge remix2003Blue DubsessionsElektroluxPFL (Pre Fade Listening)For the Love of You feat. Julia MessengerBird on a Wire feat. Julia MessengerSet in Stone feat. Pickadelic & Julia Messenger2002Lover Come BackSalzSalzLover Come Back feat. Julia Messenger2001Ole EPSpectrum WorksMarcus WorgullHavin’ a Dig feat. Julia Messenger2001KyriosIn-akustikThomas KagermannBathing in Salt Water2000LifechangeWarner Elektra AtlanticWhirlpool ProductionsA Game to Play
Selected Compilation discography Messenger's songs have been included on many compilation albums released under U.S. and European labels.
Her song "For the Love of You" released with PFL also appeared on a compilation DVD entitled, Flowmotion (Visual Pleasure Volume 3.0) released by General Electric Music. YearCompilation AlbumLabelArtist/SongRole/s2020Isolation (New Collaborative Electronic Music)ZyXyZ MusicJulia Messenger with Mark Jenkins - The Lightning in Her EyesArtist, Co-writer2018Clubbers Culture: Sunday Chill Out SelectionClubbers CultureJulia Messenger – I Gave You My HeartArtist, Co-writer2016The Best of House On The Beach - 30 Sexy Chillout TunesTime ToolsJulia Messenger – Give This UpArtist, Co-writerSenso feat. Julia Messenger – Love With A Time Limit (First Love)Featured Artist, Co-writerJulia Messenger – I Gave You My HeartArtist, Co-writer2015Sunset Chill Out Lounge Vol. 5 Time ToolsJulia Messenger – You're My WonderlandArtist, Co-writer with PFL (Felix Wolter) and Peter LaSalleJulia Messenger – Is It Me Is It YouArtist, Co-writer with PFL (Felix Wolter) and Wolter LaSalle2014Alpine Grooves Vol. 3Musicpark RecordsSenso feat. Julia Messenger – Love With A Time Limit (First Love)Featured Artist, Co-writer Note: Peaked at No. 16 on the Apple Music Top 100 Electronic Charts in Vietnam.2011Ritmo de la Playa - 20 finest latin house tunesTime ToolsJulia Messenger – Give This UpFeatured Artist, Co-writer2010Lingerie Lounge - 30 Top Chillout TunesTime ToolsPFL feat. Julia Messenger – For the Love of YouFeatured Artist, Co-writer with PFL (Felix Wolter)2006Hotel ChillWater Music Records/ UMRGJulia Messenger – TelepathyArtist/Writer2005The Future is My Melody, Vol 2ElektroluxPFL with Julia Messenger – Bird On A WireFeatured Artist, Co-writer with PFL (Felix Wolter)2004Melbourne – The Sex, The City, The MusicPetrolJulia Messenger – Look Up Look DownArtist, Co-writer with Thorsten Vogel and Henning Schmitz2004Spectrum Work - Evolution In StandardNebulaMarcus Worgull – Havin' a DigSinger, Co-writer with Marcus Worgull2003Dinner at EightWater Music RecordsJulia Messenger – TelepathyArtist/Writer2003The Future is My Melody, Vol 1ElektroluxPFL feat. Julia Messenger – For the Love of YouFeatured Artist, Co-writer with PFL (Felix Wolter)2002Pure Chill OutWater Music Records/ UMRGJulia Messenger – I Miss YouArtist/Writer Note:Debuted at No. 19 on Billboard Top Electronic Albums Chart2002Chilled SirensWater Music Records/ UMRGJulia Messenger – I Miss YouArtist/Writer2002Sub Zero (The Essential Chill Out Collection)Water Music RecordsPFL feat. Julia Messenger – For the Love of YouFeatured Artist, Co-writer with PFL (Felix Wolter)Julia Messenger vs Rubbasol – Myami Sumi VersionFeatured Artist/Writer2002Ambient Lounge, Vol. 3GlobePFL feat. Julia Messenger – For the Love of YouFeatured Artist, Co-writer with PFL (Felix Wolter)2001Coffeeshop Vol. 4Edel RecordsPFL feat. Julia Messenger – For the Love of YouFeatured Artist, Co-writer with PFL (Felix Wolter)
External links http://www.juliamessenger.com
References