The Zoetermeerse Julie Winkel likes to sing TikTok and also on Instagram she spreads her music via the digital airwaves. She recently collaborated with DJ Outsiders on a hardstyle record that now has half a million streams.
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Her mother was a backing singer and her aunt gave singing lessons and had her own band. And then with a father as a sound engineer it was almost inevitable that Julie Winkel would also go into music.
musical chaos
With four brothers in the house it was probably never quiet at Julie’s house but there was always room for music. “I remember my mother baking oliebollen on New Year’s Eve. She heard the voices of Toto and Journey blaring through the speakers.” Julie’s father has worked as a music technician for a long time: “When I walked around the house with loud music on, my father would go completely crazy because the sound – to say the least – does not come out optimally from a telephone.”
Annual gift
In addition to the Winkel family’s genes, her parents’ annual gift provided even more incentive. “Every year at Christmas we received a huge gift from my parents. A keyboard, a drum kit, a piano, a guitar.” This has also ensured that Julie’s brothers still play the drums and guitar today. But Julie is the only one in the family who decided to start singing.
Julie explains: “I used to sing along to music in my room, but it was only at a later age that I really learned to use my voice well. Your voice is just a muscle that you need to develop. I entered local talent shows at my high school and sang at family parties.”
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music lesson
Julie has been taking singing lessons for a year, she didn’t dare to do this before. It’s a matter of daring to be vulnerable and that was difficult for her in the beginning. “A friend of mine took me to Lesstudio Ligthart, a music school in Zoetermeer. There I am taught by Ruben Tarmidi, known for national talent shows. Because of him I started to use my voice differently and I discovered that I can sing much higher than I initially thought. There’s a little voice in my head trying to tell me I can’t. But thanks to Ruben I learn that little voice to prove otherwise. I hit that note time and time again.”
Sing for family
At her oldest brother’s wedding, Julie sang a song she wrote herself: “That was very emotional.” But she also wrote a song for her father. These are immediately her most beautiful songs: “Those lyrics are really taken from the heart and very special to be able to sing for family.”
Julie came into contact with DJ Outsiders: “I have the song in the studio with him Watch Us Die recorded using my lyrics. It now has almost half a million streams.” The song can be heard on spotify†
Social media and future music
Recently her music can be listened to on TikTok and Instagram. In the beginning it was exciting, but with the help of family, friends and her singing coach, she now dares to show herself more. When asked if Julie would like to be famous, she firmly answers no. “I would really love to earn a living with my music, but I don’t want the fame. I especially want to play my own music, tell a story and inspire people.”