Two years into the course she was offered the job of tape op at Strawberry Studios, Stockport where she trained under engineer Chris Nagle, in addition to assisting on sessions with Martin Hannett. As part of her training at Strawberry, McLarnon brought in local band The Charlatans, introducing them to Chris Nagle and assisting on the recording of the band's debut single 'Indian Rope'. Nagle later went on to produce the band's debut album 'Some Friendly'. Following the closure of Strawberry Studios, Julie McLarnon worked at Suite 16, Mirage and The Windings Studios in North Wales. These years saw her work with Happy Mondays, New Order, 808 State, James, A Guy Called Gerald, Inspiral Carpets, Napalm Death and World of Twist amongst others.
Thrush Puppies and Bridget Storm
In addition to her studio work, in the mid-90s McLarnon also fronted riot grrl act Thrush Puppies, who toured extensively, recorded Peel Sessions and signed to 4AD offshoot Detox Artefacts. Following the break up of the band, she subsequently fronted her own project under the name Bridget Storm, signing a publishing deal with Rough Trade and touring with Smog, Lambchop and Daniel Johnston.
Julie McLarnon set up her own Analogue Catalogue Studios in Manchester in the early 2000s, recording to 2" tape using only analogue recording equipment. Built around a vintage Trident Series 80B mixing console and Otari MTR90 24 track 2" tape machine, she produced and engineered albums by artists including The Vaselines, Jeffrey Lewis, Barbarossa and King Creosote. The studio moved to Ireland in 2014 where she continues to work producing albums by artists including Yorkston/Thorne/Khan, Alasdair Roberts and Lankum. McLarnon has produced, engineered and/or mixed numerous records including Jeffrey Lewis – A Turn In The Dream Songs The Vaselines – Sex With An X Barbarossa – Bloodlines Yorkston/Thorne/Khan – Navarasa : Nine Emotions Yorkston/Thorne/Khan – Everything Sacred Yorkston/Thorne/Khan – Neuk Wight Delhi All Stars Lankum - Between The Earth And Sky Brigid Mae Power - The Two Worlds Brad Gallagher, Bill Lowman & Alasdair Roberts – Missed Flights & Fist Fights Alasdair Roberts – Pangs Ulaid and Duke Special - A Note Let Go King Creosote – Astronaut Meets Appleman King Creosote – Analogue Catalogue EP King Creosote & Jon Hopkins – Honest Words EP Frances McKee – Sunny Moon The Shivers – More Aidan Smith – Fancy Barrel Supreme Vagabond Craftsman - Just You, Me & The Baby Robin James – Paper Earth Elaine Palmer – Waves
