When you’re as creative as Julian Scanlan, the only thing you can do is roll up your sleeves and get to work. He’s been doing so for over eight years under the moniker Slushii, an artist persona that uses music production as his playground. But it doesn't stop here; as of late, he’s also been releasing music as sapientdream, his second alias, which he describes as “resemblant of a singer-songwriter alternative electronic audio diary where I journal my thoughts and feelings.”
With a penchant for animation, sushi, video games, and music, Julian is now finding new creative outlets like fashion, and with that, a newfound appreciation for Japanese brands like Yohji Yamamoto and Undercover. His latest release as Slushii, Break My Heart, is dreamy yet danceable, something that suits him well. In this interview, he tells us he’s been working on new projects for both Slushii and sapientdream, so 2025 will be a big year for his fans worldwide. Today we speak with him about anime films, his love for sushi, and navigating social situations after fame.
Hi Slushii, it’s a pleasure to speak with you. How are you feeling today and where do you answer us from?
Pretty great today. I am answering from South Jersey, just outside of Philadelphia.
You work under the moniker Slushii. What are the differences between him and Julian Scanlan? Do you think your artist persona influences Julian in some way, and vice versa?
Yeah. I would say that sapientdream, my second alias, is very similar to a Julian Scanlan project — resemblant of a singer-songwriter alternative electronic audio diary where I journal my thoughts and feelings. Whereas Slushii is more my festival side where I can party and let loose in the realm of sound design and production.
Let’s talk about Break My Heart, your latest single. It’s very dreamy yet danceable; you create a richly textured soundscape that’s both introspective and expansive. Could you share the creative process behind it?
Sure. I am very influenced by early PlayStation 2 jungle breaks — there are a lot of PS2 games that have breaks in them. It’s more of a contemporary version of my sound because of the sapientdream collaboration. This song is my way of differentiating the brands as I look to bring out the songwriting side in my music again. Ever since I was young, I felt a huge sense of abandonment and rejection in my life, so from a psychological standpoint it’s me giving myself room to move on as well as fill the void in my soul with what I love most — songwriting.
In March you released Dancing With Myself, and since then, four other songs have followed. I assume these are singles off of an upcoming album/mixtape/record? What can you tell me about it?
This could very well be the beginning of a new Slushii project. There is a new sapientdream album coming soon and I’m very excited because it has been a labour of love for the last few years since the pandemic. I love it as I feel my songwriting and production skills have blossomed on this project. I am excited to get back to my roots with another Slushii project in the near future — be on the lookout in 2025!
This year, you also released a seven-track record with different remixes of Past Lives. How did you choose the artists you wanted to re-work that song?
Initially, Tokyo Machine had sent me their remixed version and I was a huge fan. I wanted to put it out on the album. Bailey Pickles had also sent me their piano version and I thought it was really good. I liked Tiffany Joy’s orchestral version as well, which actually will be making my next album. I’m very happy and thankful for everyone who has remixed the song.
Doing research, I found that everyone agrees in considering your debut album Brain Freeze (2016) as a pivotal moment in your career. Since then, have you felt a pressure to keep delivering on that same level, and even improve it? How have you handled it?
I think that I’ve continued to evolve. I would say that my upcoming album is the spiritual success of all my previous work. It’s taken a really long time to get back to a point where producing is fun again and I’m not following trends. It’s really nice to be doing what I want to do. I would say the Brain Freeze era has returned in a way and I’m really happy because of it.
You have a penchant for animation. The cover art for Break My Heart is a manga illustration, just like If You Love Me Now’s, while those of Dancing with Myself or Worst Night of My Life look like video games. What about it resonates with you?
I’ve been a huge fan of animation and cartoons since I was a kid. It was one of the first things I remember seeing in my life. Since an early age, I was very enchanted by what I’ve seen with screens and televisions. I really enjoy the bright colours, animation styles, and voice acting. As a voice actor myself, I have a lot of respect for the work that goes into creating an animated show or full-length feature film. I find it all really cool. I love Yu-Ghi-Oh and Naruto — getting my first set of Yu-Ghi-Oh cards was love at first sight.
As a curiosity, could you recommend us a few anime movies/series, and also video games you’re currently playing right now?
Anime moves I can recommend: Akira. Also Maquia, which never ceases to bring me to tears — it’s probably the saddest I’ve ever seen. Eureka 7: Hi-Evolution. Shoutout to my friend, Johnny Yong Bosch, who voice acts as Renton in the show and films. We’ve worked together on Slushii projects before and he’s a fantastic voice actor and singer.
As far as video games go, I’ve been really into Marvel’s Spiderman 2. I’m playing for the second time trying to collect all the suits. I’ve been playing an unhealthy amount of Fortnite. Doom Eternal and Tetris 99 as well.
As far as video games go, I’ve been really into Marvel’s Spiderman 2. I’m playing for the second time trying to collect all the suits. I’ve been playing an unhealthy amount of Fortnite. Doom Eternal and Tetris 99 as well.
Born and raised in the US, these images make me guess that you like Japanese culture. Am I right about it? What do you enjoy the most about it?
I’ve been to Tokyo around fifteen times now. I really love the culture and language, as well as the food — ff course the food. I am a huge sushi fan. Although I try to remain vegetarian most of the time, sushi does call my name. I am a huge fan of the culture. Now that I’ve gotten involved in the fashion side and designing my own clothes, I’ve grown a respect for Japanese brands like Undercover, bape, and Yohji Yamamoto — their cut and sew, as well as choice of colours, is unparalleled in my opinion, speaking as a musician.
You’ve opened up about how being diagnosed with Asperger’s has influenced the way you would (or wouldn’t) relate to others. Now that you’re famous, have fans, and play in front of large audiences, would you say your way of relating to people has changed? How do you navigate these social situations?
I’ve learned to navigate my own quirks a lot better. I get overstimulated a lot, and being a musician in a loud space, it took a lot of getting accustomed to my surroundings. I feel like I have hit a point now where I’m more comfortable being in my own skin. I also saw a documentary featuring Paul McCartney playing music for autistic children, and seeing how they reacted helped cement for me that I was in the right profession and that music is truly a timeless tool for us to connect with each other. I hope this tale rings triumphant for my fellow aspies trying to navigate their way through an already abstract world — I did it, so you can do it too.
Looking into the future, what can fans expect from you in the coming months? Any plans already for 2025?
I can’t say too much right now, but I can say I am very excited for what’s coming next year. I would say to expect a lot of music, as well as other things.
