Sarah Julia joins the Gibson Spotlight Artist program
In line with the brand’s ongoing commitment to elevating new music from emerging musicians around the world, the annual Gibson Artist Spotlight program continues showcasing an evolving roster of musicians. These artists will be featured across global and international Gibson channels monthly.
The Artist Spotlight program roster for 2025 features Kapali Long, Angel White, Nana Ouyang, and now Sarah and Julia Nauta, performing together as Sarah Julia. They are a musical sister duo originally from Rotterdam in the Netherlands, and residing in Amsterdam. Their creative path began during their childhood through involvement in theatre and film, which eventually guided them toward music as their central artistic outlet.
Drawing inspiration from musicians such as Phoebe Bridgers, Big Thief, Cat Stevens, Jim Croce, and Joni Mitchell, their music merges folk and singer-songwriter styles, marked by thoughtful lyrics and rich vocal harmonies. “It’s this general feeling of just being beaten down and disappointed in the people you love or trust, or once trusted,” Julia explains of their inner worlds and the inspiration it produces. “It’s also about wanting change, but also knowing you’re not the one to make it happen.”
By allowing the songs to simmer over the years, they also found that the initial anger that had been the foundation of some of them had dissipated into a more melodic sadness. “You really want to make sure that you stand behind the song even after all that time,” Sarah explains of their tendency to take their time. “You don’t want it to feel too impulsive. Especially for these songs and for what stage we’re at in our lives right now, it just feels like holding onto them all this time has been the truest thing to who we are.”
In 2024, Sarah Julia debuted with their EP, How Do We Go Back To Being Normal?, addressing themes like family relationships, grief, and personal evolution. The EP demonstrates their skill in blending acoustic sounds with deeply expressive storytelling. They have subsequently revealed plans for their next EP, Only Making It Worse, scheduled for release on May 9, 2025.
Its lead single, “Amsterdam,” examines the emotional tension experienced when one moves forward in life while others remain unchanged. Their music connects deeply with listeners due to its genuine portrayal of human experiences and heartfelt expression. We caught up with Sarah Julia to find out more about this magical duo.
How would you describe your music?
“Our music echoes the sounds of indie-folk, past and future. At the center, our two-voiced harmonies together with an acoustic guitar. We love incorporating traditional folk instruments like the banjo and mandolin, and our lyrics often circle around family, grief, and all the things we don’t always know how to say out loud. ”
What is your favorite piece of gear?
“The L-00 Vintage Sunburst is our favorite guitar that we own. It’s perfect for fingerpicking and has this dark, warm sound that we love. We tuned it down because we’re really into playing in alternate tunings, and that brings out even more of the low end we’re always chasing.”
What has been the highlight of your musical career so far?
“Touring the US has definitely been the highlight of our musical career so far. We supported Paris Paloma on her North America tour and also played our own headline shows in Los Angeles and New York City. It was an incredible experience, and a lifelong dream of ours, to be on a tour bus and perform in so many beautiful venues. Getting to travel and see new places because of music is such a special feeling, especially when you’re surrounded by your favorite people.”
What would be your dream artist or producer collaboration, and why?
“We’d love to collaborate with an orchestra someday. There’s something magical about all those beautiful instruments breathing and moving as one. Our earliest musical memory is going to the philharmonic orchestra with our parents on Sundays, so working with an orchestra would feel like a full circle moment for us.”
What does being part of the Gibson Artist Spotlight program mean to you?
“Our Gibson has been with us through writing so many of our songs, and we’ve been fans for so long. It truly feels like an honor to be part of the Gibson family.”
What’s next on the horizon for you?
“We’re releasing our second EP, Only Making It Worse, on May 9 and celebrating with a release show at Hoxton Hall in London that night. This summer, we’ll be playing festivals across Norway, Germany, the Netherlands, and the UK. And in the meantime, we’re hard at work writing what will become the next chapter.”
Check out the 2025 roster for the Gibson Artist Spotlight program and visit the Artist Spotlight profile for Sarah Julia.
