In the Studio With: Soft Palms' Julia Kugel

As a surfer, musician, and longtime creative, Julia Kugel sees both surfing and songwriting as practices in facing fear, staying curious, and finding connection. Raised in a musical family, Julia has spent a lifetime turning curiosity and experience into sound. As one half of Long Beach-based Soft Palms alongside her partner Scott Montoya, their music is deeply influenced by the ocean, its beauty, unpredictability, and constant motion.

Music from their new album, In Echo, was featured in our film, Pronoia. We caught up with Julia to talk music, the ocean, creativity, and learning to run toward the things that scare us.

on Aug 19, 2026

Sophia Arky Reading In the Studio With: Soft Palms' Julia Kugel 6 minutes

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Photos by Robin Laananen

1. Have you always been musical? What first drew you to making music, and what do you remember about those early creative years?

I grew up in a musical family. My mom played piano and my aunt used to entertain us with songs on guitar at family parties. In Belarus, I was accepted into music school for piano and voice when I was 6, but then we moved to the US and I never got to attend. My mom is super curious and introduced us early to world music, classical, and rock. I wrote my first song "Dreamer" when I was in 6th grade, and my chorus teacher arranged it for the class to sing! It was a defining moment for me. It gave me a lot of courage to share my creations with the world. Music was a way to connect with people.

2. Soft Palms' music often feels deeply connected to place. How has living near the ocean and in Long Beach influenced your creative process?

When I lived in Georgia, I looked to trees to connect with nature. Their gentle stability and permanence was my inspiration. When I moved to Long Beach and had a chance to really spend time with the ocean, I was inspired by it's constant motion, change, and fluidity. The ocean is immersive & beautiful but can be dangerous as well. I find the complexity and juxtaposition of the ocean quite intriguing.

3. As an artist, where do you find inspiration outside of music? Are there particular places, rituals, or experiences that consistently spark new ideas?

Inspiration comes from everywhere- particularly interpersonal relationships with family, friends and strangers. Having moved countries as a child, I have continuously looked for ways to belong, for acceptance and understanding. I think my music/lyrics are a way of dissecting and understanding myself and others. It's also a way to speak my version of the truth- and sometimes to say things I never got to in real life.

4. Your work balances dreaminess and intensity. How do you know when a song is finished and ready to share?

Ha deadlines! Deadlines let me know when a song is finished and ready to share. Otherwise I think I could work on something forever. Deadlines help shake off the preciousness off the creation and place it in real time.

5. How did you start surfing, and what role does the ocean play in your life, both personally and creatively?

I started surfing when I moved out to California with the encouragement of my husband and bandmate Scott, who is a local and grew up surfing. I had to get used to the power and temperature of the ocean here! I entered the water every day saying, "I am not a zombie. I am alive!" So I grew to love the sometimes shockingly cold water. Surfing and just being in the ocean is such an instant connection to the bigger picture. That's what I love most about it. You instantly remember that there is more... and that life is glorious even when it is uncomfortable.

6. Can you tell us about a recent project, song, or experience that challenged you and helped you grow as an artist?

Facing fear head on is a lesson I have recently learned. I can't say that it was a specific instance that made the breakthrough for me- it was more like a final resort after avoiding, running and hiding from it most of my life. I think surfing has had a big part to play in that change as well as taking chances in my musical endeavors and being honest in my personal relationships. Running towards my fears has liberated me from them.

7. How did the songs for Pronoia feel when you made them? Did you ever picture them in a surf film?

Seeing the songs in the film was MIND BLOWING! Honestly, I was taken aback by how beautifully it all flowed together. I had an overwhelming sense of pride! I love love love that our music was used in an all female surf film. I just felt that the vibes were perfect together. I wrote those songs while coping with a lot of challenges and I just think it's so beautiful to see them put to visuals of triumph and grace.

8. The Seea community is made up of women who are deeply connected to creativity, the outdoors, and living with intention. What advice would you give to someone trying to build a life around the things they love most?

Love is only part of it. Determination, work ethic, and humility go a long way towards building a life you can be proud of. The best advice I can give anyone is to keep going, build relationships with like-minded people, help each other, and stay curious.

9. What are you currently excited about—whether it's music, a creative project, a place you've been exploring, or something completely unrelated?

I am excited about going on tour this fall! It's been a few years since I was fully out on the road so I am really excited to see how it is out there- how people are coping and connecting in the rest of the country and the world.

One thing I would like to add is that I feel pretty strongly that we all need to take part in cleaning up our beaches & oceans. I think it should be a standard practice for surfers & folks enjoying the beach to pick up a few pieces of trash on their way out. Plastics & styrofoam are choking our ecosystem - and besides changing our consuming habits - the least we can do is to pitch in and pick up some trash. "Pick up two when you're through," is the little slogan we could all live by :)

Thank you so much to Julia Kugel and Soft Palms for making Music for Pronoia. We are so thankful we got to learn more about you, your process, and collaborate on this film! Listen to Soft Palms' new album In Echo out now!