Julia Hungerford is a wild drummer and the mindful chef and owner behind Schmaltz a vegetarian/vegan Jewish deli sandwich truck. She's also one to tell rambling tales, full of surprises, a swimmer, has two sweet kitties Lucy and Ursa and is quick with a smile.
I feel most myself when I am…naked in water.
On a hot, sunny Saturday morning Julia was in a tizzy hunting for a lost pair of keys. After searching high and low to no avail we decided to plop down on her front porch to catch our breath and sip some of her homemade blueberry pomegranate kombucha. We racked our brains about possible hiding places for keys. In the car? In pockets? At the bottom of a lake? While brainstorming we poked around Julia's closet exploring her incredible collection: a vintage Balenciaga snake cuff from the set of Asia Argento's (yes, that Argento) The Heart Is Deceitful Above All Things - she worked on the movie just after college while living in Knoxville, loads of turquoise pieces from her grandparents jewelry shop, a flowing 70s dress that very well may have belonged to Anaïs Nin (well, she was photographed wearing the same one anyway...), knee high lace up boots left over from her teen years, loads of brightly patterned swim suits, and a pretty sweet Biggie t-shirt.
We never did find those keys though.
My personal style is...seasonal and job appropriate. HA! Truly. If my hair’s all up in a crown then I am making food or set out to “get results.” If my hair is down than I am playing drums or just hanging loose. I like to wear lots of colors and patterns too. It is more interesting to look at. I guess wearing interesting things is a present to whoever sees me. You’re welcome.
My style icons are… Susan Tyrrell, Frida Kahlo, Kenneth Anger, Anne Bancroft as Mrs. Robinson, MFK Fisher, Marianne Faithful and Edith Bouvier Beale. You know, true artists, hedonists and satanists alike.
I’m inspired by… coincidences and all of my friends constantly. I like that they push limits and keep a positive attitude and really live. They are all gritty old caring souls.
If I lived in another era I’d choose… only the present. I can’t take it for granted that I can do what I want and get away with it. However I really love old Hollywood, pre codes-era when there was a bit of seediness thrown in with the glamour. Or maybe that’s just Kenneth Anger. Oh that old queen has truly inspired me style-wise.
The last book I read was… Crimes in Southern Indiana by Frank Bill. Hillbilly noir. “Bad people doing bad things to other people” is how my friend Sam described the books she likes to read. Noir. Crime. Jim Thompson is a Texas writer whom I truly enjoy. Cormac McCarthy is a fellow Knoxvillian whose voice I love. I’m also always picking up Richard Brautigan for a tear and a chuckle.
Lately I’ve been listening to… John Wesley Coleman so that I can learn songs. I love playing those songs with those people right now. Big ups to two rad ladies I play with: Geena Spigarelli and Erin Budd- what’s up? I play with Erin in a new project called USLabor. There are a lot of rad ladies in Austin playing music right now.
When I’m at home I love to… listen to records and sit on my porch swing.
If I were in a movie I’d be in… My friend Janice said if I was in a movie I’d be “in the rain.” She owns her own vintage shop and has for years. I used to do chores for her on commission when I was a teenager. I got a full length Calvin Klein kaftan/vest embroidered in orange and purple that I still have. I think it is from one of his first collections. It is packed in a suitcase! I should have pulled that out [for us to look at]! It has a whole bunch of frocks in it. Lots of vintage cocktail dresses and costumes are in that suitcase. I used to collect wardrobe for films I made. My favorite is my white sailor suit. Believe it or not I recreated a scene from Notre Dame des Fleurs (by Jean Genet) and filmed my friend Harold in that sailor suit. I have the hat too.
My go-to beauty product is… jojoba or sunflower oil.
When I walk up to the bar I order…rye whiskey on rocks or Talisker scotch if it was a good day at Schmaltz.
I’m crushing on…the Source Family. Still. They were a cult in LA in the 1970s who all ran a vegetarian restaurant in Hollywood, made love and records together and drove around in Rolls Royces.
The last time I surprised myself I…found [my boyfriend] Russell’s keys! In the street! After hours of looking! I didn’t give up, thanks to [my friend,] Katie Geha!
On a sunny afternoon I love to… go to Barton Springs and swim and dive off the diving board and people watch and eavesdrop while pretending to read and also actually reading.
When I’ve got money to burn I head to…craigslist looking for something I don’t yet know exists or the bar.
Five things I can’t live without are…I really can’t think of anything besides my knife.
love this, laura
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