Julia Bardo’s latest single ‘Please Don’t Tell Me’ reminds me of a Wes Anderson film, where the sum of distinct scenes give the storyline its full meaning. DISCLAIMER: This is a blog about music…nevertheless, this song challenged me in such a way that I’ve had to tap onto another art form (film) to give it an honest reading.
Julia “directed” the alt-indie ‘Please Don’t Tell Me’ using John Lennon’s vocal echo effect for the visual design (see definition), and Sheryl Crowe’s croon –circa ‘the Globe Sessions’– for the cinematography (see definition). The lyrics/scenes certainly evoke dissimilar situations. Opener “Watching shows on TV at night”, sure clashes with pre chorus “Cause I can watch you cry”. It is chorus line “Please don’t tell me who I am / Please don’t tell me who you are” where Julia -channelling Wes- hints what her film turned song is about…at least for me.
I interpret ‘Please Don’t Tell Me’ to be about one of those sudden soul searching (tear-gas induced) moments where we see ourselves in the mirror, and realize that we are here only for a while and we should make the most it. The closing “I just wanna have some fun / Running wild and never stop” confirms my hypothesis. I love Julia’s approach to song writing and directing, and I am sure you will too.
Film making 101 class, dismiss!!
‘Please Don’t Tell Me’ is part of her debut EP ‘Phase’ released on 6 March on Wichita Recordings.
Catch Julia during on the remaining dates of her UK tour with The Orielles this month:
Mar 13 – Liverpool, UK @ Studio 2
Mar 14 – York, UK @ Fulford Arms
Mar 19 – London, UK @ Pin Ups
Mar 21 – Sheffield, UK @ Delicious Clam
Mar 28 – Halifax, UK @ Orange Box
See more of Julia here: