Julian Elorduy has been making music since he was fifteen, moving from the noise-soaked chaos of Mayyors to the jangling indie-pop of Fine Steps and, later, the more solitary reflections of Pious Fiction as Julian Never. With this first solo work, Elorduy demonstrates an indomitable creative spirit and an uncommon courage in subverting the genres from which he avowedly draws inspiration. Pious Fiction is a work that expresses great love for the past, but not subjugation to it. His new album, Everyday is Purgation, released in February via Mt. St. Mtn. Records, “awakens on the other side of a Dark Night of the Soul drawing on the writings of mystic, St. John of the Cross, stripping away comforting narratives in order to see what remains with a clearer, more ascetic eye”. It’s Julian at his most exposed, shaped equally by the underground that raised him and the melodic pop that continues to haunt him.

What he says: “Say Something is about trying to fix yourself by making the same mistakes and following the same attachment patterns. You’ve just wrecked your life, and this relationship isn’t going to fix you. An artist drops into your life—only to disappear as fast, ending things through a cryptic screenshot posted by their friend on Instagram. You expected more of yourself for getting vulnerable like this, for caring as much as you did. You know you weren’t owed anything, but it still stings. It bruises the ego. Give yourself a rest. This wasn’t meant to be. Move on. It is a country-ballad take on jangle pop, featuring Josh Yenne on pedal steel. It’s about that raw feeling of being left behind, caught in the loop of rumination, waiting for words that never come.“

“Anything tries to hold all the things you’ve done, good and bad, and all the love you carry in one song. Repeated words that have lost meaning. So much energy wasted for little purpose, connection or insight. Sometimes capturing a moment is enough. Maybe each time the song plays it will teach you something. It is a song about a time of desperation with a brief and relevant reference to F. Scott Fitzgerald’s tragic novel, Tender is the Night. It’s 5 o’clock in the morning. Awake again and no place to go. The early morning sets the tone for an entire day, whether the skies are clear or opaque. Anything is about the search for peace when you’re not sure if you’d recognize it. The pull toward chaos, and the strange comfort found in distortions. It’s a reflection on the patterns we return to, even when we know better“.

His Mixtape: “Here is my very eclectic mixtape for you! Thanks!“

Laura Cannell – Apparitions

I can’t recall exactly when I became aware of Laura Cannell’s music, however, amidst the day’s business and the world’s chaos, it is all I want to listen to. It’s haunting and healing. It is patient and slow, as we are called to be with ourselves. 

Greg Mendez – I Wanna Feel Pretty

I recently discovered Greg Mendez’s music, and it fits perfectly with the sounds I want to hear. It’s not boastful, and it isn’t trying too hard. It fits the melancholy of the Cannell track and reminds me of being a lonely teenager discovering Elliott Smith and The Microphones. 

Dominic Breen – The Place Where All Good Dreams Get Lost

I like that Dominic follows the rule requiring songs to end before the 3:30 mark (for the most part). This song is beautiful, featuring woozy American sounds and a nice little angelic chord change. It’s got a stompy rhythm and sounds like a good old timeless anthemic Americana rock song. RIYL – Matthew Berry.

 

Insecure Men – Cleaning Bricks

I actually kind of like the live videos of this song more than the recording, but the recording is a jam too. He’s got a big band of noisemakers and it sounds like a gorgeous mess. It’s charming, but also kind of unsettling.

 

Pilar – O Primero Dia

I love everything about this song. I first found this when I was drinking excessively and wished I could share it with a friend who had recently passed away. Before I knew the lyrics is kind of tore me up inside and here are the lyrics to complement the mood set by the song: 
“Today is the first day of the rest of your life // Hoje é o primeiro dia do resto da tua vida
Little by little the step becomes sluggish // Pouco a pouco o passo faz-se vagabundo
Turn around fear and turn around the world / Dá-se a volta ao medo e dá-se a volta ao mundo
It is said of the past that it is dying // Diz-se do passado que está moribundo
Breath is drunk from a bottomless cup // Bebe-se o alento num copo sem fundo
And a common phrase comes to mind // E vem-nos à memória uma frase batida
Today is the first day of the rest of your life // Hoje é o primeiro dia do resto da tua vida“

Kate Bush – Why Should I Love You?

I don’t know anyone who finds this song very appealing, but I love this song. I think it may have been written or produced by Prince, so it has the power of a pop song created by Prince combined with the gentle feminine splendor of Kate Bush. “Do you think he had a beautiful smile? A smile that healed?” 

Siouxsie And The Banshees – O Baby 

This might be the least goth Siouxsie song and there isn’t a John McGeoch lick in the whole tune. But it’s surprisingly gotten right under my skin. I love the mix of the snare mixed right up in your face with rods or brushes. Banshees-heads probably hate this song which makes me love it even more. What can I say? I like pop music.

Alizée – Gourmandises (Remix gourmand) [Superstring Remix]

I remember someone made a meme lamenting that instead of Gojira opening the Paris 2024 Olympics we could have had Alizée who at 41 is still looking quite fit, has always been talented, and has had songs! Gojira’s performance was obnoxious, full of fire and a 300-person orchestra. Too many musicians. Their Grammy win proves my point. This isn’t even a guilty pleasure; this and Rose Tattoo are my “I just got off work and need to blow off steam with the all the windows down” tunes. 

The Soft Boys – Over You (Roxy Music)

I like both the Soft Boys and Roxy Music so this song resonates with me. I have always loved the cascading riffs at the beginning and the tenderness with which Robyn Hitchcock sings the lyrics, as if the song resonated with him too. I actually like the cover better than the original. It’s also a treat that it’s recorded live with great balance, yet it still feels like a perfectly played home recording.

Game Theory – Re-Make/Re-Model (Roxy Music)

Another perfect live recording of a Roxy Music song. This is a great cover, but I wish it had backing vocals like the original. It kind of reminds me of the Swell Maps who also a great band. 

Everyday Is Purgation is out now via Mt. St. Mtn. Records. Look HERE for more information on Julian Never.