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 | | Julie Dexter |
My friends in the music industry constantly tell me that there is no market for black artists in the UK. You only have to look at the success of power duo ‘Floetry’ in the states to see this is true, they’ve been nominated for Grammy Awards, yet remain unknown over here. This was one of the main reasons Julie Dexter moved to Atlanta, the grass is obviously greener over there. Opportunity Knocks Julie’s move to Atlanta was a smart business choice. She couldn’t see a market for her work purely in the UK, and made a conscious decision to go where there were more opportunities for her to grow as an artist.  | | Julie Dexter at The Drum |
“The opportunities in the states have been way greater for me. You can only do so many gigs in the UK, because there aren’t that many places to go, but in the U.S.A there are 52 states, so I can do two or three gigs in each city”. “Over here I can do London, Leeds, Birmingham, and Manchester…then I’m struggling, I might not even get ten dates on a tour, because there’s not that many places I can perform and get a good following. "In the states there’s just more places where I can perform and really get my name out there, have a bigger fan base, and eventually make more money, so I can produce more records”. Conscious | " As soon as you hear me I want you to know that it's unmistakably Julie Dexter." | | By Julie Dexter |
The responsibilities of being an independent artist are great. Julie runs her own record label ‘Ketch A Vibe’ which she releases her work out on. After each gig she sells her CD’s, and as she was back home her mum was doing the honours at The Drum in Birmingham. I couldn’t resist the discount on offer and brought her last album ‘Dexterity’ and her latest offering ‘Conscious’.  | | Julie Dexter by Paul Mainor |
“Having my own record label gives me creative control over my work. There are so many rules and regulations you have to stick to when you’re signed to a major label. A major label would not be happy with me because I change a lot, I do jazz, soul and reggae. As an artist I don’t want to make the same records over an over, I want the freedom to explore my music.” Julie’s independence doesn’t come cheap, but it puts her in control of her own career, which is a refreshing change from all the manufactured acts were bombarded with on a daily basis. She regards British singer/musician Omar, as one of her mentors for his distinctive sound, and it’s very obvious when you listen to her music being original is important to this Birmingham star:  | | Julie Dexter at The Drum |
“As soon as you hear me I want you to know that it’s unmistakably Julie Dexter. I’ve been compared to Erykah Badu, Jill Scott and others, but I still think I have a style of my own that stands out, and hopefully you can hear that when you listen to my music.” Words of Wisdom Julie, who has recently become a mother for the first time to a very gorgeous baby girl, has the following advice for artists in Birmingham who are trying to make it: “Keep it real, just be yourself, we have a unique experience in Birmingham. I was influenced by Lovers Rock cause that was my experience growing up. We have our own brand of Reggae, Soul, Hip Hop, Funk. "A lot of good artists have come out Birmingham, they’ve put themselves on the map by being themselves and that’s why they stand out. It’s so easy to fall in the trap where you follow people, especially those from the states.  | | Julie Dexter |
“People should stay true to their experiences because it’s unique, and that’s why I feel I’ve been so successful. People from Birmingham stay true to what’s in your heart.” Julie Dexter is a unique talent and a good role model for artists that really want to explore their creativity. There are many talented young black people from Birmingham, who are really making their mark in the world, and despite the fact Julie Dexter is currently living in Atlanta, she will always be Birmingham's Soul Sister. Soul Sister - PART ONE Read Part One of our exclusive interview with Birmingham star, Julie Dexter. She talks about her home city and her new life in Atlanta. The Robert Beckford Show on BBC WM Tune into The Robert Beckford Show, Saturday evenings 8pm-11pm on BBC WM 95.6FM, for the best in black entertainment, news and discussion. | 
