This year marks the milestone 75th anniversary of the Walt Disney Music Company. Founded in 1949 to publish Disney music, the division that would later become known as Disney Music Group released its first soundtrack in 1950 – sharing songs from the Disney animated feature Cinderella. To help mark the milestone, Disney Files Magazine contributors will visit with Disney music insiders throughout 2024, starting with this interview with Julie Fowlis.
While the Scottish singer and instrumentalist has touched countless fans through her award-winning work, it was through the Academy Award-winning Disney and Pixar film that she “touched the sky,” singing uplifting anthems in the hit film Brave. Disney Experiences Synergy Manager and Disney Files Magazine contributor Cayla Ward caught up Julie during a recent visit to Walt Disney World Resort.
Cayla: You’ve received international renown for your singing and musical artistry, but you’re most recognized by Disney fans for your contributions to Brave, performing the songs “Touch the Sky” and “Into the Open Air.” How did it feel working with the team at Pixar to bring their first Scotlandinspired story to life?
Julie: It was a real honor and truly inspiring to work with the Disney∙Pixar family and creative team. I loved how they tried to embrace every single aspect of Scotland, from the language, our different dialects and accents, our humor, our sarcasm, our history, but also our landscape; the colors and the textures, and they all translated beautifully into the animation and made our home come to life in a beautiful way.
Cayla: For those of us who may have limited exposure to Scottish music beyond the film, can you explain what makes the music of your homeland so unique?
Julie: This music is ancient. It goes back more than 1,000 years and is like a language in itself. It tells us stories about who we came from and is a window into our past. It has a real special energy and represents a form of creativity that has been threaded through the ages and continues to inspire us all in music making. It’s our identity. I sing mostly in Scottish Gaelic. It’s our main language at home, so I sing in it most of the time. It felt very different for me to sing in English [for Brave], and while I loved getting the opportunity to do that, it made me really think about how I sing. It was fun to explore!
Cayla: While Brave isn’t a musical in the traditional sense, the film’s album debuted as the highest-charting Pixar soundtrack since Cars, rising to No. 2 on the U.S. Billboard chart for soundtracks. And the impact of the story and music on fans is immeasurable. As you’ve reflected on the project through the years, what makes you most proud?
Julie: To me, storytelling and music are kind of one in the same … and as a mother of two children, I feel like there are great teachings in stories. Children can develop a moral compass through listening, reading and hearing stories around them. Being immersed in those stories teaches them empathy and gives them a chance to feel all different types of emotions in a safe space with their own imagination. Storytelling is so important, and it’s incredible to have worked with Disney on this album. We’re over 10 years now since Brave was released, and people continue to reach out to tell me what the film and these songs mean to them.
Cayla: Brave has meant a lot to me personally. Merida was one of the first Disney Princesses that really broke the mold of what a traditional princess looks like. When it was released, I was actually around the same age as Merida, and I can remember being inspired by her. What about Merida did you find resonated most with you?
Julie: When I was recording the vocals, my daughter was two years old, and I was expecting my second child. I didn’t know then, but it was another girl! The story of Merida and her mum, that relationship, love and strong bond resonated very strongly with me whilst we were working on the film and continues to do so even when I look back on it now.
Cayla: Part of the magic of Disney and Pixar films is their ability to continue to resonate with future generations. What do you hope generations of fans continue to draw from Brave?
Julie: I hope it continues to show young fans, girls in particular, that there are different paths you can take. I think for our young people, no matter what gender you are, everyone has a place, and everyone has their own path to follow. If you strongly believe in something, you should follow your dreams.
