Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Jules, 15, of Peoria, Ariz. talks to the coaches following her blind audition on The Voice Season 18. (NBC Photo)

But she has a surprising amount of experience for her age, having been performing solo shows since age 12 and having released an EP when she was just 14.

And her blind audition performance of “Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked” by Cage by Elephant prompted late chair turns from the two coaches she most wanted to turn: Blake Shelton and Kelly Clarkson.

Blake said he could see her making the finale, but Jules opted to join Team Kelly.

Jules, now 16, explained that decision and talked about her blind audition experience in the following interview with Voice Views.

Voice Views: How did you wind up auditioning for The Voice Season 18 and what prompted you to do it, especially at such a young age?

Jules: The Voice reached out to me about a year ago from my Instagram page and asked me if I’d be interested in auditioning! I’d never pictured myself going on The Voice, but you have to take every opportunity you get to put your name out there, and this was one of mine!

Voice Views: Why did you choose Cage the Elephant’s “Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked” for your audition song? What’s your performance history with that song (for instance, is it one you’ve played often)?

Jules: I chose Cage the Elephant’s “Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked” because it’s a song that portrays an interesting story and genre. I’ve been singing that song at restaurants and bars ever since I was 12, and over time I developed my own twist on it. I think it displays a side of my musicianship that makes me unique!

Voice Views: Did you have a coaching preference heading into the blind audition? And why did you decide to go with Team Kelly?

Jules: My coaching preference was Kelly or Blake from day 1, so when they both turned for me I knew I had a really tough decision to make! I ultimately chose Kelly, even though I would have had so much to gain from either coach, because she’s been a large female presence in the music industry and I’ve looked up to her for so long!

Voice Views: What was that blind audition experience like, especially since you were coming up on the end of the song before anyone turned? That great ending did the trick. What was running through your mind at that point and during the feedback from the coaches?

Jules: Haha, thank you! The audition experience was very nerve-racking in the beginning, but when those red doors opened, everything I was worried about faded into the background. All I wanted to do was get up on that stage and play music. Even when the coaches weren’t turning, I was just jamming out! It was so much fun to play with such an amazing band and I’m so grateful to have had that experience. When the coaches were talking to me I couldn’t believe it was actually them! I was like, ‘am I dreaming or is that really Nick Jonas?!’

Voice Views: In spite of your young age, you’ve already released music. Can you tell me a bit about your original sound and how you think it’s changed since you released your first music?

Jules: I believe my original sound stems from every genre like the blues, to pop, to rock and roll, etc. As a musician, it’s hard to classify what box I fit into, but I will say that my sound has grown and developed so much from when I first released music at the age of 14. Although I haven’t released anything since those projects, I’ve been working to develop my sound and am always writing, playing, and learning from other musicians and their processes. I’m so excited to hopefully get back in the studio soon and record some new songs I’ve been working on!

For more on Jules, the music she’s already released and her social media links, head here.