The Obelisk Questionnaire: Julia Gaeta of Dreamwheel
The Obelisk Questionnaire is a series of open questions intended to give the answerer an opportunity to explore these ideas and stories from their life as deeply as they choose. Answers can be short or long, and that reveals something in itself, but the most important factor is honesty.
Based on the Proust Questionnaire, the goal over time is to show a diverse range of perspectives as those who take part bring their own points of view to answering the same questions. To see all The Obelisk Questionnaire posts, click here.
Thank you for reading and thanks to all who participate.
The Obelisk Questionnaire: Julia Gaeta of Dreamwheel
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How do you define what you do and how did you come to do it?
Playing music feels like an inevitable path, but one that didn’t become clear to me until around 21 years old. My parents are both professional classical musicians and I spent much of my early life in the musical world surrounded by virtuosos. I tried various instruments that never held my interest. But something hit me while I was in college with the guitar. I started skipping university classes to stay home and play. Since those early days of covering stuff on guitar in my bedroom, I’ve ventured into songwriting, playing live, etc.
Describe your first musical memory.
My mom had a big ’90s wooden entertainment console in our living room when I was growing up. There was a TV, stereo system with 2 giant black speakers on the sides, and drawers full of cassettes and CDs. I remember picking out Holst’s The Planets – specifically the version recorded by the Berliner Philharmonic and conducted by Herbert von Karajan.
I sat with my back against the speakers so I could feel the bass, and closed my eyes. I was totally transfixed by “Mars”. I would go back there and play it over and over again and just become enveloped in a feeling, like I was floating in the complete blackness of space. I think this shaped my love of 5/4 time signature specifically, as well as variation in textures and dynamics in music. “Jupiter” is another great one – it’s got an absolutely heart-wrenching melody towards the middle.
Describe your best musical memory to date.
Seeing my dad play clarinet with Metallica in-the-round for S&M2. I’m not sure anything I ever do with music will bring the same level of unbridled joy I felt from that one, since Metallica is the band that got me into heavy music. I laughed and cried and screamed and all that. After the gig, my dad and I were out at a random pizza joint and some Metallica fans came up to him and were freaking out. He ate it up – he’s totally not used to that. It was hilarious.
Wow, I’m talking about my parents a lot, aren’t I? I guess there’s a reason for that. They’re mostly responsible for this path I’m on, whether they like it or not!
When was a time when a firmly held belief was tested?
Every time I’ve made it through a tidal wave of self-doubt or crippling anxiety. You are not your brain…
Where do you feel artistic progression leads?
I feel that the second I get caught up in outcomes or final destinations, things start to feel less authentic. So I don’t really think about this too often.
How do you define success?
As a musician? I don’t think I have a single definition – it depends on the day. It could be creating something that stands the test of time in my own head, or creating something that pushes me into more authentic expression – like when I started solo music. It could be having an awesome musical collaborator like I do in Dreamwheel or getting to know incredible people through the act of creating. It could be someone telling me they resonated strongly with a song, getting my music played to more ears or being invited to play somewhere new. It could be having access to a clean bathroom backstage.
What is something you have seen that you wish you hadn’t?
I love big bustling metropolises, and over the years, I’ve been fortunate enough to call several of them my home. But recently, especially since the pandemic, big cities in both the US and Europe seem to be more and more challenging places to live for not just artists but people in general. Homelessness, drugs, rising prices, lack of affordable housing, etc. It’s a tough pill to swallow for those affected.
Describe something you haven’t created yet that you’d like to create.
Plenty of stuff. Something gnarly and anonymous. A film score. More weird guitar-based stuff. My first full-length solo record.
What do you believe is the most essential function of art?
If I knew, I probably wouldn’t feel compelled to create anything.
Something non-musical that you’re looking forward to?
Snuggling my cat.
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