Introducing: Judy Blank

Judy Blank is an artist who refuses to be boxed in. The Dutch-born, Nashville-based singer-songwriter blends retro soul, indie edge, and folk storytelling into a sound that’s both timeless and refreshingly modern. Freshly signed to Rounder Records, she’s kicking off this new chapter with Dinosaurs—a playful yet poignant reflection on climate change—leading up to her multi-track release Lil’ Mood on March 14th. With a string of European sellouts, millions of streams, and an upcoming SXSW appearance, Blank is proving she’s a force to be reckoned with on the global stage.

Your recent single "Dinosaurs" blends lightheartedness with thought-provoking commentary on climate change. What inspired you to tackle such a serious subject in a playful way, and how did you balance the two tones in the song?

I'm not sure why, but I've always been hyper fascinated by natural disasters. On the day I was born, my parents needed to evacuate their little river town in the Netherlands because of a severe threat of the levee breaking, changing my planned birth location. I've seen about every disaster movie there's ever been made and am trying to stay positive in a world where the rich white men in charge refuse to take responsibility for our burning planet. Or, in the case of the current government, refuse to admit it's even a problem at all. That ignorance, the 'they're never gonna get us' mentality of our current leaders and money lovin' upper class, is something that inspired me to sarcastically write this song from the perspective of a little boy in his room, feeling safe and waiting for all danger to be over, or inviting it in, pretending everything's gonna be okay. The two tones are necessary for me. I like to play around with juxtapositions. You can't write a song about being sad and make it sound super sad too and give it a black & white cover with your sad face on it. It's not interesting to me. I'd rather get the message across in a lighthearted way and plant little subconscious seeds in people's brains so they can think about the meaning later. 

You’ve recently made the move from Utrecht to Nashville. How has this change in location influenced your music, and what has it been like to immerse yourself in the Nashville music scene?

It's like I'm living in Disneyland for musicians. Nashville feels like home to me for sure. The sense of community is super strong, people are incredibly kind and helpful, and my creative output has definitely increased. I keep getting asked to sing and play keys on people's records, live sessions, or sing a song at people's shows, and it's been super dope.I go to Honky Tonk Tuesday every week and absolutely love dancing. It's a joyful and inspiring place to be. But at the same time, the thing that makes it so beautiful is what makes it a hard place for me to be. People are out to be seen. Out to hustle. And the longer I'm here, the more I realize that Utrecht will be my home forever, too. I miss being able to walk to my favorite arthouse movie theater, strolling on the canal without a real purpose, and running into weird artsy people, poets, writers and activists. I think for a workaholic like me, it's better to live in a place where everything doesn't revolve around music. Because as much as it is my life and my identity: it's still just music, and I need space for me to feel like a human without the pressure of having to be somebody, or having to create.

 You’ve had great success in Europe, selling out venues and opening for established artists. How has your experience in Europe shaped your musical journey, and how do you think that will influence your career in the U.S.?

I think the mystery of Europe works wonders for me over here. People are really interested in me being European. Every conversation at the merch table after a show starts with ''So you're from Norway/Denmark/Sweden/Finland?!'' People are intrigued by things they don't know. Just like I was always intrigued by ANY American that I saw playing a show in the Netherlands when I was a youngster! I was always wondering ''Where are they from? How did they get here? What is their world like?''. It's funny to think that it works the same way the other way around. I think Europe has given me a pretty good work ethic, because people are pretty sceptical towards emerging artists. You really have to prove yourself before people acknowledge they like you. Americans are way more excited and stoked to tell you why they like you. So it honestly kinda feels like a gift being here and playing shows in the United States. 

Your debut LP "Morning Sun" earned you a Gold Award in the Netherlands, and "Tangled Up in You" has been streamed millions of times. How do you feel about the reception to your work, and does it change your approach to new releases like "Lil' Mood"?

This past year has been pretty crazy. From getting recognized in the most random bar in Trinidad, Colorado to someone at Honky Tonk Tuesday admitting they wanted to dance with me because of my WesternAF video, lol. It's just hard for me to imagine that the SONGS I WROTE reached ears in the farthest corners of the world. And that people apparently resonate with my wacky feelings. I used to be such an eager little baby looking for validation (Read: ''Look at me!! I am legit! I swear! Like me please!'') But other people connecting to my vulnerability honestly helped me take some of the pressure off myself in my songwriting and artistry. Knowing that I don't really make music for me, but that my thoughts are a safe haven of recognition for people all over the globe is very comforting. It's not really about me anymore. Of course I want every new thing I put out to do better than the last, and I want my music to reach more ears, but I'll always keep writing whatever feels right, if it makes a difference in a single person's life. 

Rounder Records has recently signed you, and they describe you as a "true original." What does it mean to be part of the Rounder family, and how does it feel to have a label recognize your unique voice and artistry?

I could not be more stoked to work with the badasses over at Rounder Records. They're an iconic folk and roots label, and I can't believe these people wanted to sign my wacky ass. I think even the EP Lil' Mood and its three songs have more synthesizers on them than any record they've ever put out in their history since 1970, lol. I'm an old soul, I believe in bodies of work and I'm super grateful that such a legendary label believes in me enough to put out my music on vinyl and believes they can sell them. I definitely think the new president, Stephanie Hudacek, and A&Rs Michelle Aquilato & Gary Paczosa took a huge risk on me. But you know what? I'm a risk taker too, so I'm honestly nothing but stoked and curious to see where this can go. I can feel their excitement every day, and I hope they can feel mine too.