Julie Marie is a singer-songwriter and community musician in the greater Chicago area creating dreamy indie-folk music rooted in beauty, truth, and faithful living.

Her debut studio album The Gardens Below released in November 2025. This project explores a core question: In the face of power and influence being misused, what can we do? Julie Marie’s answer: We faithfully tend to our gardens. Through kindness, forgiveness, and telling truthful stories about what is painful and beautiful, we can bring meaningful and redemptive work into the world.

Reviewed alongside artists like Tyson Motsenbocker, Josh Garrels, and Mavis Staples, UTR Media said of The Gardens Below: “A beautiful debut record with a warm vintage feel. Julie’s appealing vocals and thoughtful, well-crafted songwriting are a revelation.”

Julie Marie’s gentle vocals and dreamy indie style have been compared to artists like Kina Grannis, Joni Mitchell, and Lizzy McAlpine. Her storytelling songwriting from a faith-informed foundation brings to mind artists like Sara Groves, Andrew Peterson, Taylor Leonhardt, and Bob Bennett.

In tandem with Julie Marie’s work as a singer-songwriter, performer, and recording artist, she creates hospitable music-making spaces in her local community and beyond. She holds an M.A. in Community Music and facilitates compassionate and flexible music workshops and classes for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.

Julie Marie believes music is for everyone, and this philosophy is blended into her intimate live shows at houses, backyards, coffeeshops, churches, and local venues. These shows across the midwest and beyond often include personal storytelling and participatory elements for community members of all ages and musical abilities.

Everyone is invited to find belonging in Julie Marie’s garden of art and music-making.