Julia Deans


Julia Deans is a New Zealand singer-songwriter best known as the lead singer of rock band Fur Patrol.

Banshee Reel

In the early '90s Deans joined Wellington-based Celtic rock band Banshee Reel. The group released two albums – Culture Vulture and An Orchestrated Litany of Lies. Banshee Reel toured extensively around New Zealand and overseas. In 1996, after returning to New Zealand from a Canadian tour, Deans and Wellington guitarist Steve Wells decided to form a rock group, which was to become Fur Patrol.

Fur Patrol

Fur Patrol released three albums – Pet, Collider and Local Kid and had a number one single with "Lydia" in 2000. The band moved to Melbourne in 2001 to focus on a wider Australian audience. After the lack of success with their third album Local Kid, Fur Patrol went on hiatus.

Solo career and The Adults

With a number of songs she had written over the years but thought unsuitable for Fur Patrol, Deans was encouraged by her record company to record a solo album. This became Modern Fables, released in 2010. It was well received and was short-listed for the Taite Music Prize, with single "A New Dialogue" long-listed for the APRA Silver Scroll award.
Deans then became part of The Adults, a musical collaboration between established New Zealand musicians such as Jon Toogood, Shayne Carter, Tiki Taane and Ladi6. In 2011 the group released a self-titled album which was nominated for Album of the Year at the 2012 New Zealand Music Awards.
In 2012, Deans released new single "Broken Home". She also embarked on a theatrical project, starring with Jon Toogood in Silo Theatre's production of Brel: The Words and Music of Jacques Brel.
In 2013, Deans performed at the Taite Music Prize ceremony in April. Later in the year, Deans and Anika Moa recorded a cover version of "2000 Miles" for the charity album Starship Christmas Album 2013.

Discography

Albums

With Banshee Reel

Music videos

YearMusic videoDirector
2010"A New Dialogue"Greg Page
2010"Modern Fables"Mark Burrows
2012"Broken Home"Stephen Tilley

Awards

YearAwardCategoryWorkResult
1999bNet NZ Music AwardsBest Independent ReleaseStarlifter
1999bNet NZ Music AwardsBest FoxJulia Deans
2001New Zealand Music AwardsSingle of the Year"Lydia"
2001New Zealand Music AwardsBest Female VocalistJulia Deans
2001New Zealand Music AwardsBest Songwriter"Lydia"
2001New Zealand Music AwardsAlbum of the YearPet
2001APRA AwardsMost Performed Work in New Zealand"Lydia"
2010APRA Silver ScrollShort list"A New Dialogue"
2011Taite Music PrizeShort listModern Fables
2012APRA Silver ScrollLong list"Anniversary Day"
2012New Zealand Music AwardsAlbum of the YearThe Adults