Julie Hamill

Julie Hamill Writer & Broadcaster Biography

Julie Hamill is a London-based Scottish writer and broadcaster with a stellar career history – from authoring intriguing novels and music books, to appearing in a Hollywood film, award winning documentaries, presenting television, radio, festival panels, podcasts and her very own ‘Rock N Roll Book Club’, Julie has the music knowledge, the rapid fire wit, the stories, and the sheer intellect to really captivate an audience.

’15 Minutes With You’ Music Anthology 

Deciding to turn her creative mind to the topics she adored, Julie began a music blog focussing on the artist Morrissey, which rapidly grew into a published book ’15 Minutes With You’ (FBS Publishing, 2015). Upon release, this book reached a 5 star rating on Amazon with numerous positive reviews.

’15 Minutes With You‘ is a musical anthology containing a collection of 24 interviews about Morrissey: featuring interviews with not only collaborators of Morrissey and The Smiths, but also his famous fans including actors, comedians, photographers and journalists. Frankie Boyle, Sean Hughes, Julie Hesmondhalgh, and Shaun Keaveny amongst others all provide their stories for this fascinating anthology.

Upon the release of ’15 Minutes With You’ Julie toured internationally, which included book signings across Los Angeles including the infamous Book Soup in Hollywood, and appearing at the prestigious Orange County Fair where she toured with The Sweet and Tender Hooligans. Whilst on this book tour Julie also appeared at the Stoke Newington Literary Festival, and The Kilburn Literary Festival, and shared a stage in London with Preston from band The Ordinary Boys.

The ’15 Minutes With You’ interviews were so successful they continued after the book was published, and are available online at juliehamill.com. Julie also interviewed actor John Bradley from ‘Game Of Thrones’, BAFTA Award winning Johnny Harris from ‘This Is England’, and Hollywood actor Thomas Lennon in addition to a variety of musicians and writers.

‘Frank’ (A Novel)

Building upon the success of ’15 Minutes With You’, Julie wrote her debut novel ‘Frank’ (Saron 2017). ‘Frank’ is the first in a series of three books about the life of recently widowed Frank (and daughter Jackie) in 1980s Airdrie. The story captures the emotions surrounding grief as Frank has to continue his life without his wife, June. In addition to the theme of grief, Frank is penned with much comedy. Frank is also an important novel due to it’s location of Airdrie, with Julie drawing attention to this town she grew up in.

Frank also features numerous 80’s tracks with a soundtrack that includes The Smiths, The Jam, Pet Shop Boys and Queen, amongst others. Frank was incredibly well received with a 5 star Amazon rating and many positive reviews.

Julie embarked upon a nationwide tour to launch the novel Frank, appearing at numerous book stores and establishments including Chapter One Books in Manchester, The Dublin Castle in Camden, London and The Airdrie Working Mens Club in Airdrie, as well as various libraries including Willesden Green and Barnet Library in London.

‘Jackie’

‘Jackie’ is the second in the ‘Life And Soul’ Trilogy and continues the story with the adventures of Jackie (Frank’s daughter). Jackie discovers a secret from her mother’s past and struggles to find love for herself as a single mum in 1980s small town Scotland.  The secondary plot of this book also focuses on the character Daniel, who is in turmoil over his sexuality amidst a context of terrifying television adverts and leaflets about HIV.  Jackie launched on 15 October 2019 and has seen the series praised by the likes of Jimmy McGovern (Cracker), Wayne Hussey (The Mission) and Scottish politician George Galloway.

Mozarmy

In 2009, Julie created the Mozarmy on Twitter, a kind and positive online environment for Morrissey fans and friendships. Since 2013, Julie established the Mozarmy Meet, which grew to become the largest Morrissey meetup in Europe.

Julie organises, hosts, chooses the special guests and oversees the running order at this extremely popular gathering, which is also widely covered in the media including television, radio and the national press such as the NME.

Members of Morrissey’s family have attended this large event and so far the hashtag #Mozarmy has reached almost 50,000 mentions on Instagram. The 6th annual Mozarmy Meet crashed the ticket site and sold out in twelve minutes in 2018.

Rock N Roll Book Club 

The ‘Rock N Roll Book Club’ is Julie’s regular residency at the legendary Camden venue Dublin Castle.

At this monthly event, Julie interviews authors about their music books live on stage and works in partnership with promoter Tony Gleed to provide a DJ set of music referenced within the books. Julie also formerly hosted the Rock N Roll Book Club podcast.

Films, Television and Radio

As part of her dynamic career Julie appeared in ‘True To You’, a major motion Hollywood picture directed by Adam Neustadler, set for release in 2019. For her appearance in the film, Julie was filmed in various locations including on stage in Manchester, UK and also in ‘Book Soup’ and the Ramada Hotel in Hollywood.

Julie has also made many appearances on television including her own hour long special ‘My Vintage’ where she discusses 18 of her favourite songs and relates interesting stories and anecdotes for each song.

In addition to this Julie appeared in documentary ‘The Music Stops Here‘ in support of the legendary punk, metal and indie venue The Star And Garter in Manchester (winner of the High Peak Independent Film Festival – ’The Best In The North’), and appeared with George Galloway on a special television recording for RT.

Julie also has her own show on Boogaloo Radio called Hamill Time, in addition to formerly guest hosting a radio show once a month with Tony Gleed on Soho Radio (winner of the ‘World’s Best Internet Radio Station’ at the Online Radio Awards) called ‘The Sunday Sync’. 

In addition to appearing on Soho Radio, Julie has also appeared on Absolute Radio, Heart Radio, Radio X, Amazing Radio with Frankie Francis, BBC Radio Manchester with Andy Crane, and guest co-hosts ’Tales of The Dublin Castle’ with Tony Gleed on Boogaloo Radio. She has also appeared on other numerous internet radio stations including the Revolution, Independent FM and Indie1031 – including being broadcast on German radio.

Julie Hamill Further Information

Julie originally honed her sharp writing skills in the advertising industry; not only managing & selling creative campaigns for Saatchi and Saatchi, but also Senior Partner working on Motorola and Kodak at the Ogilvy office in New York, and working for Bartle Bogle Hegarty in London.

Travelling the world meeting celebrities such as Kiefer Sutherland, Rutger Hauer, and Carl Banks at high-profile shoots, Julie eventually settled in London (where she is now based) into a successful writing and broadcasting career (after achieving a prestigious First Class Honours degree in Creative Writing).

Being a competent speaker and a natural in front of a camera and as a host, in addition to Julie’s television and radio appearances she has also provided talks, interviews and readings on the subject of writing across the UK and internationally, and written for many online publications including the Sabotage Times. Julie is also well known for interviewing people, both live and in print, including Chris Difford from Squeeze, Sylvain Sylvain from The New York Dolls, Jeremy Vine, Comedian Limmy, George Galloway, Madness and Mark Nevin amongst others.

Being dedicated to Veganism and a Vegan herself, she is also open to chairing Vegan panels, live food events, and festivals. Julie is also a member of The Green Party.

Julie is available for all live events including literary festivals, interviewing celebrities, live work, hosting, presenting, voiceovers, chairing panels, broadcasting, and music events.

Julie Hamill contact – Check availability here