Punk Globe: Thank you so much for the interview, Jules. Can you give us some background about Jules & the Howl, like when you formed the band?

Jules: For sure! I rebranded as Jules & the Howl in early 2020 (Covid provided a lot of time for reflection). Before that I went by Julianne Q & the Howl, and before that Julianne Q & the Band. 

I cut my teeth in the Chicago music scene, my home city. There, I experimented with different genres and vibes while honing my live show. Blending my musical theatre background with a rock show wasn’t an initial fit, and trying to figure out how to front a band while running the behind-the-scenes action was not easy. I learned how to lead and trust myself slowly over time. 

Punk Globe: Tell us how you came up with the band name?

The Jules part was easy – it’s my nickname, and frankly, it’s much easier to say than “Julianne Q”. It’s also the name I essentially claimed as my identity in college, and to this day, only my family calls me Julianne. I believe that when you have familiarity with someone, you call them by their nickname as a sign of love and affection. I want my audience to feel that connection with me, so it only seemed right to go by Jules.

The Howl has two meanings: 

The first harkens back to the Chicago blues artists – like Howlin’ Wolf – who hugely influenced the 1960s rock renaissance via bands like the Rolling Stones and Janis Joplin. I felt a spiritual awakening when I listened to the bands of Woodstock, and immediately I was like “this is how I want to make people feel when they come to my shows. This grit and cathartic energy is how I want to sing.” 

The Howl is the spirit of the music. It’s the cathartic release of everything pent up inside you, desperate to be unleashed. The Howl is the call of my fans the Howlers, echoing the primal “AWOOO!”

The Howl is the community within my music. My whole life, I’ve never quite fit in. I’ve always operated on the edge of the in-crowd. I’ve been the weird kid, the nerd, the outsider. And I’ve always wanted to feel like I belong. So I wanted to create a place where outsiders could come together and be themselves unapologetically. No more lone wolves, but a wolf pack howling as well. Howling their joys, their pain, their anger – all in a cathartic release. That freedom, that joy of finally feeling like you’re meant to be somewhere with a group of people who have felt the same feelings of an outcast or an outsider. The Howl is where the outsiders belong.

Punk Globe: Was the band formed in Chicago? When did you relocate to Los Angeles?

Initially, the band was composed of four equal members, and I considered them my brothers. But unfortunately, like many indie bands, we had an explosive falling out. Faced with the choice of giving up music or pushing forward solo, I decided to save up to move to LA and begin anew. I arrived in LA in May 2019. I’m grateful I got to experience the scene before the pandemic. I made invaluable connections within the old Sunset Jam and Gritty in Pink circles, many of whom are still my friends today.

Punk Globe: Besides yourself, Jules, who is in the band, and what do they do?

Jules: Jules & the Howl is a solo project! I’m fortunate to know many amazing players here in LA whom I bring on as hired guns. I typically draw from the same pool of musicians, but if I ever need subs I usually have a solid list of alternatives to call.

Punk Globe: Is the current version of the band all original members?

Jules: Yup – it’s me!

Punk Globe:  I heard your single ‘Boys Club’ and was very impressed. Tell us what inspired it

Jules: The friggin election. I was so disgusted and enraged that our country had succumbed to the patriarchal pressures and bigotry, and I wanted to burn it to the ground.

Punk Globe: Tell me some of the band’s influences?

Jules: My music is synth-driven punk rock with a modern swagger. Think if Yungblud, Paramore and the Killers had a threesome.

Punk Globe:  You were recently a part of “Women Rock LA.” Tell the readers about that?

Jules: Hell yeah! I’m the co-founder of Women Rock LA along with Bre Podgorski. Bre and I were planning a show together during the summer of 2024, and we wanted to make it an epic event. As Bre and I got to talking, we exchanged stories about how fed up we were with the stereotypes that play women in rock (like they can’t play guitar or are just basic singers). We were sick of the bullshit that women constantly face in the industry, and we wanted to change that. We realized that something was missing from the LA scene – a platform specifically geared towards curating and showcasing high-quality female-fronted rock bands. A show that defied all expectations and stereotypes of “girl rock”. 

Since then, we’ve sold out both Women Rock LA shows and have gained a reputation for putting on unforgettable concerts with high-level artists. We even expanded the repertoire to include burlesque, dancers, and a kinky magic act – all expressing different shades of feminine power. WRLA has already been hit up by many bands submitting their material, and Bre and I are proud of the niche we’re building.

Punk Globe: Have either L7 or Betty Blowtorch been involved with “Women Rock LA”? 

Jules: Not yet, tell ‘em to call me!

Punk Globe: Tell us some of the other bands that have or are involved with Women Rock LA?

Jules: So far we’ve had Jules & the Howl, Bre, Izzy T, Marlhy, unpolished*, Bruvvy, and LIZI. We’ll soon be accepting submissions for our fall show, so if you know anyone who’d be a great fit, please let us know.

Punk Globe: How did you meet or get involved with the rad Joe Black? He is way cool.

Jules: Joe is super rad! I found out about him through my friends in Plastic Rhino. I saw the work he did for them and decided to get in touch.

Punk Globe: I know that “The Boys Club” was self-released. Have you been approached by any labels?

Jules: I’ve explored indie label options with my team. Until I find a label that fits my vision, I’ll remain independent.

Punk Globe: Does the band tour?

Jules: I’m doing a fly date in Nashville in August and working on another date in Las Vegas. Other touring plans are still in the works.

Punk Globe: Tell the readers what is in the future for Jules & the Howl?

Jules: 2025 is gonna continue to be crazy jam jam-packed! I have at least 3 more singles coming out, including a collab with an unannounced artist I’m super excited about. I’m playing Dirty Mondays at the Viper Room on May 30th with the full band, along with those fly dates in Nashville and Vegas. I’m also doing some acoustic shows while gearing up for the third iteration of Women Rock LA. It’s gonna be a gnarly but amazing year ahead!

Punk Globe:  Do you have any Internet addresses you would like to share with the readers?

Jules: Check me out on Instagram and TikTok @julesandthehowl and follow me on Spotify.

Punk Globe: Thoughts on the chaos that is currently happening in our country?

Jules: “Boys Club” was my political answer to that. Philosophically, I’ve always subscribed to Socrates’ bent stick remedy. If a society is bending too much one way, it has to spring back the opposite direction to correct itself, only to hopefully find a happy medium in the end. I believe we’re on the brink of everything crashing down on us, but I think that’ll lead to a rebirth and a reconciliation that our country so desperately needs.

Punk Globe: Describe yourself in three words.

Jules: authentic, loyal, reliable.

Punk Globe: Any last words for the Punk Globe readers?

Jules: A WOOO!!!!!