Challenge Champion: Julie Meikle

At Talent Is Timeless, we run Monthly Songwriting Challenges to help keep our members writing, sharing, and connecting. Each month, we spotlight some of the incredible songwriters who placed in these challenges — inviting them to share a bit more about their lives, their creative journeys, and the stories behind their songs.

This month, we’re featuring Julie Meikle, a 56-year-old songwriter from the wilds of Sedgemoor, Somerset — a self-described “Wetlands girl through and through.” Julie joined Talent Is Timeless around March 2020, at a time when the world was feeling uncertain and isolated. For her, this community became not only a creative outlet, but a vital part of her songwriting journey.

Julie has always written — not necessarily songs at first, but prose, poetry, stream-of-consciousness reflections that poured out especially in times of emotional upheaval. “I wrote a great deal in the latter days of my husband’s life, and through the mourning process afterward,” she shares. That writing eventually became a self-published book — a profoundly therapeutic experience that planted the seeds for songwriting.

It wasn’t until she began collaborating with her long-time friend (now partner), musician Mel Reeves, that her writing found its musical footing. “He helped me shape my ramblings into song structures,” Julie says. “All of a sudden this process became transformed. It became so satisfying. I found I was able to better put across what I was feeling by using melody and chords as well as words.”

Of course, the road hasn’t been entirely smooth. Julie still chuckles about a particularly honest bit of feedback she once received: “Many years ago, my daughter Molly said, ‘It’s not your fault you write boring songs, Mum.’ Oh wow, that stung.” But instead of giving up, Julie took it as a challenge. She dove into songwriting books, YouTube tutorials, and plenty of musical conversations with Mel. “In the long term, she did me a favour… thanks Molly!”

Things truly shifted when Julie won the Members Award from Talent Is Timeless. “Not only was it an honour to be voted for by my peers and friends, but it meant that I had written something that resonated with someone else,” she says. “And I got a lovely email from Kris Gorski saying how much he had enjoyed my song — I still have the email!”

Julie’s proudest moment so far has been releasing her first album with Mel — a project she describes with quiet awe. “There was a little bit of magic involved in that process,” she says. “Don’t tell anyone, but I still listen to the album regularly — not out of ego, but because I can’t believe I was involved in the process.”

Talent Is Timeless has played a big role in Julie’s evolution as a songwriter. The workshops and challenges helped her refine her craft, develop discipline, and stay inspired. Boo Hewerdine’s advice about not trying to cram too much into a single song really stuck with her. “Although lyrics are really important, what I learned was that the rhythm of the words is equally important.”

And it wasn’t just the craft — it was the community. “In the early 2020s, when the world was crazy and scary, it provided a safe space,” Julie says. “And having Saskia’s support and enthusiasm was incredible. Her visit to Somerset for a songwriting day and home gig is a memory I’ll always treasure.”

Julie also has a unique ritual when she writes: she always uses her specific ‘songwriting pen’ and ‘songwriting notebook.’ “Somehow the physical process of getting these things ready helps me,” she says. “I know… it’s a little bit OCD.”

Her advice for other songwriters over 50? “Get yourself a notebook. Write nonstop for three minutes without lifting your pen, even if you repeat the same word. Keep going. Let me know how you get on.”

Julie’s journey is proof that songs can come from the most personal places — grief, growth, even offhand comments from a cheeky daughter. What matters is showing up to the page, pen in hand, and letting the music rise.

You can listen to Julie’s winning song here: https://www.talentistimeless.com/may-25-coming-home-catalogue/?contest=video-detail&video_id=63664

And connect with Julie on Talent Is Timeless here: https://www.talentistimeless.com/members/julie-meikle

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