Julia Shammas Holter (born December 18, 1984) is an American experimental a… Read Full Bio ↴Julia Shammas Holter (born December 18, 1984) is an American experimental artist, singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist based in Los Angeles. A CalArts graduate, she released her first studio album, Tragedy, in 2011. A second album, Ekstasis, followed in 2012. Holter also collaborates with other musicians including Nite Jewel, Linda Perhacs, and Michael Pisaro. In 2013, she released her third album, Loud City Song to resounding critical acclaim.

Holter, a Los Angeles native, grew up in a musical family. Her father plays guitar and once performed with Pete Seeger. Her mother, Carole Shammas, is a prominent academic and currently holds the John R. Hubbard Chair in History at the University of Southern California. Besides playing and recording music, Holter tutors students and works with a nonprofit organization for teenagers in South Central Los Angeles. After graduating from CalArts, where she studied composition, Holter contributed songs to multiple compilation albums in 2008. She performed in the LA Road Concert with the Open Academy Youth Orchestra on Washington Boulevard in 2009. The following year she began playing with Linda Perhacs' band. In 2010, she released a CD-R titled Celebration and a collection of live recordings.

Her debut studio album, Tragedy, was released in August 2011 on Leaving Records. Inspired by Euripides' Greek play Hippolytus, the album received generally favorable reviews and was named one of NPR's "Best Outer Sound Albums Of 2011".

Holter released a second album, Ekstasis, in March 2012 on the RVNG label. The album drew comparisons to works by such artists as Laurie Anderson, Julianna Barwick, Kate Bush, Joanna Newsom, Grouper, and Stereolab, and received many positive reviews. Holter spent three years making the album, whose title comes from the Greek word meaning "outside of oneself." The music video for album track "Moni Mon Amie", directed by Yelena Zhelezov, was also released in March.

In addition to collaborating with other California-based musicians like Nite Jewel (Ramona Gonzalez), Holter recently released her third album, Loud City Song. Unlike her first two albums, which were recorded mostly alone in her bedroom, Holter recorded Loud City Song with an ensemble of musicians

This Is a True Heart
Julia Holter Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

There's just no room for all our thoughts
Come on, let's walk another walk
Did you ever see a downtown businessman sing a joyful talk in a suit made out of song?

Come on, let's not insist on love
We're just alive
Let's talk straight about it and sled through the boulevard

This is a true heart
Listen hard
These are true words
Speak hard

See the young
So old so fast
I don't understand
See the young
In love so fast
I don't understand

Falling leaves
A tree's a tree

Overall Meaning

In Julia Holter's song "This Is A True Heart," the lyrics express the idea of an overwhelming amount of thoughts that cannot be contained. The opening line "There's just no room for all our thoughts" relates to the notion that our minds can become overloaded with various ideas and emotions that we may struggle to comprehend. Holter suggests that the solution to this is to take a walk - to clear one's mind and contemplate life in a different space. "Come on, let's walk another walk" - this suggests that there is always room to grow and explore, and encourages people not to become stagnant in their lives.

The song delves into the idea of materialism, conveyed through lines such as "Did you ever see a downtown businessman sing a joyful talk in a suit made out of song?" The lyrics imply that people have become too attached to material possessions and that they have lost sight of what truly makes them happy. Holter suggests that we should learn to appreciate the beauty in everyday life and communicate with each other honestly. "Let's not insist on love, we're just alive, let's talk straight about it and sled through the boulevard" emphasizes the importance of authenticity in human relationships and embracing life as it is, rather than constantly striving for perfection.

Line by Line Meaning

There's just no room for all our thoughts
Our minds are full and we can't express everything we think.

Come on, let's walk another walk
Let's take a stroll to clear our heads.

Did you ever see a downtown businessman sing a joyful talk in a suit made out of song?
Have you ever witnessed a city worker openly express themselves with music and cheerfulness?

Come on, let's not insist on love
Let's not force or demand affection.

We're just alive
We're simply existing on this earth.

Let's talk straight about it and sled through the boulevard
Let's be honest with each other and ride on the snow-covered streets.

This is a true heart
These emotions come from a sincere and genuine place.

Listen hard
Pay close attention and really hear what's being said.

These are true words
The statements being made are honest and accurate.

Speak hard
Assert yourself and express your true feelings strongly.

See the young
Observe the youth.

So old so fast
They seem to grow up quickly.

I don't understand
It's hard to comprehend.

In love so fast
Falling for someone rapidly.

Falling leaves
Autumn foliage.