Interview: Composer Julian Loida Weaves Longing and Light Into Cozy Soundscape “December Dreams” (feat. Don Mitchell)

With his signature blend of cinematic texture and emotional depth, Boston-bred/LA-based composer, percussionist, and producer Julian Loida unveils “December Dreams” (feat. Don Mitchell) – a lush, genre-defying winter ballad merging folk, neoclassical, and ambient elements into something wholly unique. Featuring Don Mitchell of Darlingside, the song captures the liminal beauty of longing, reflection, and the hazy calm of winter nights.

“For me, composing comes from improvising and improvising comes from something larger than me moving through me,” Loida shares. “This piece found its way to me when I was living in a cold, damp basement apartment in Boston. Songs tend to find me when I’m feeling fairly hopeless and stuck spiritually.”

Written during a time of emotional upheaval, “December Dreams” (feat. Don Mitchell) channels heartbreak, exhaustion, and yearning into something expansive and transcendent. Born from a late-night improvisation on vibraphone, the track became a fusion of Loida‘s love for cinematic scoring and Afro-Cuban rhythm, intertwined with soft vocals and sweeping brass. “It feels like my love for cinematic music and Afro-Cuban music were melding in a way that on paper sounds very odd, but internally feels deeply true,” he explains.

The song’s origin dates back to December 2018, when Loida envisioned snow falling and dreamt of a happiness he had yet to live. “My music can sound quite joyous, but that’s more often out of a need,” he says. “I find people can create music that’s different from how they actually feel in very interesting ways.”

Over time, the piece evolved through serendipitous connection. After a few experimental vibraphone sessions at Dimension Sound Studios with producer Dan Cardinal, Loida received a message from Don Mitchell expressing admiration for his work – a note that sparked years of creative collaboration. “I’m so grateful for Don‘s massive contributions to this song,” Loida says. “We thought a lot about Sufjan Stevens’ album, Chicago, while making this piece and knew we wanted some sounds of brass, which led to me bringing in Tiffany Johns, a true virtuoso who created gorgeous horn and brass parts.”

1. What did you enjoy most about the creation of this new release?
I enjoyed collaborating with Don Mitchell who really made this track what it is. We spent countless hours talking about influences and aesthetics while the music was recorded rather quickly in comparison. The process took years because of other albums and work Don and I were doing amongst the creation of this piece, but we always came back to the track excited and knowing we had something special to share.

2. Share a nugget of advice that has resonated with you most over the years.
It’s all about relationships.

3. Who would be your dream artist/band to co-headline a tour with?
Olafur Arnalds or Radiohead, but there are countless others that would be a dream to tour with.

4. What sets your music apart from others in your genre?
I think my instrumentation of the vibraphone creates a unique texture and feel that isn’t found in much neoclassical music. I’m also highly influenced by my playing and study of improvised and global music. These musics, styles and approaches find their way into my work. I think at the end of the day, if you’re making music true to yourself, it will be a 1-of-1 because we are all different and will never be truly replicated.

5. Tell us what your favourite song is at the moment and why.
“Magalenha” by Sergio Mendez ft. Carlinhos Brown. I recently listened through all of Sergio Mendez’s music almost out of curiosity and this track is just so incredible. The vocals are so tight, the groove is so deep, the song is so colorful and fun. It’s just a joyous track that I can just listen to on repeat endlessly.