Julie Christmas

Ridiculous and Full of Blood’, the first Julie Christmas album in 14 years, crash-
landed into the ears of listeners and critics in June 2024. Described as “one spine-
tingling thrill after another” (Metal Hammer), Julie and her band took the record on
tour across the UK and Europe, performing stand-out shows at Hellfest, Roskilde,
Oya, Arctangent and Brutal Assault.

By the time she released her debut solo album ‘The Bad Wife’ in 2010, the Brooklyn
visionary was already one of the most lauded voices in alternative music. Her
piercing pipes, as previously heard in noise rockers Made Out of Babies and post-
metal supergroup Battle of Mice, earned critical acclaim. Then, that goodwill was
consolidated by her first standalone statement - followed by 2016's Cult of Luna
collaboration 'Mariner' - and now she returns with album two.

‘Ridiculous and Full of Blood’, a heart-on-sleeve chapter-by-chapter storybook of the
conflicting elements of her own character, is the most comprehensive declaration of
this musician’s talents yet, spanning from alt-pop to post-metal with a staggering
array of talent onboard. Guitarist/ vocalist Johannes Persson (Cult of Luna),
drummer Chris Enriquez (Spotlights), bassist/ producer Andrew Schneider, guitarist
John LaMacchia (Candiria) and keyboardist extraordinaire Tom Tierney were all
paramount in bringing these new, genre-smashing tunes to life.

“I want people to hear the sad heroine, vile villains, dreamy characters at play,
squalor, madness, longing, challenge, triumph, beauty, and love” Christmas says of
‘Ridiculous and Full of Blood’. “This story is a little different, it isn't all fairytale. It
speaks to how human nature defies categorisation. The kindest person commits
immeasurable acts of cruelty, the monster loves their friend. We are all like that.”

The words all communicate their core personality’s worldview, extending from
thoughts as small as her fascination with birds, to opinions on grand topics like
religion and warfare. Even the album’s title was penned as a tongue-in-cheek
description of how Christmas views herself.

“I’m not evolved enough as a human to hide the way I feel. It’s all in there. Music is
the place to put it all so you don’t explode. If you are throwing yourself into life it can
and should get wild!” she explains.

Although Christmas took 14 years to make a full-length follow-up to ‘The Bad Wife’,
there’s no doubting that this successor is more than worth the wait. Its impossible-to-
pigeonhole songs are destined to not only reinforce the love fans already have for
this peerless creative; they’ll certainly win over countless newcomers, as well.