Today we’d like to introduce you to Julie Roland.
Hi Julie, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in Berkeley, California and was raised to be curious, creative, and to care about others. I always wanted to serve/make a difference/change the world for the better, but I don’t think anyone expected this tie-dye wearing, tree hugging, class clown theater kid to end up in the military. Little did they know that I would go on to perform magic and original songs on guitar all over the Navy (from flight school and my Winging Ceremony to aircraft carriers and destroyers). I’m the Lieutenant who painted a mural on two different walls in my old squadron and received a Naval Achievement Medal while wearing a wig and a fake mustache. One time, I brought in animal noses I had from childhood and all the pilots sat around a mission planning table wearing pig noses and beaks. That being said, I still have craved even more creative outlets.
Cut to: while on an impromptu trip to Joshua Tree to help a filmmaker make a documentary about a park ranger and the desert tortoise, I was taking a break and overheard some strangers talking and was amused by what they were talking about. I couldn’t help but introduce myself, and that’s how I met Emilia Barrosse, a stand-up comedian who was writing for Veep at the time. We became fast friends–and clearly were both comfortable with the venture of turning a stranger into a friend–and it didn’t take long before we had created the Just Tryna Make Friends (JTMF) show together in 2019. It began as a combined monthly comedy show in Los Angeles and monthly variety show in San Diego, with the true purpose of making friends.
Today: it is a 501c3 nonprofit that has been voted a finalist for Best Neighborhood Event for the past three years in a row in San Diego Reader Magazine. Working towards our mission of promoting the arts and building community, we have featured hundreds of artists and entertained thousands of audience members.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The Navy presents an obstacle in the form of deployments and detachments. It is not easy to run a backyard show from an aircraft carrier. But the Navy has also been good to me: my bosses have generally been enthusiastic hype men, my shipmates have come to support many of my shows, and several have even contributed artistic talents. Still, if I wasn’t a full-time Naval Aviator, I am sure I could apply more energy to the show. A lot of show producers in LA, for example, work in show biz and generally are mixing and mingling with talented artists as part of their day jobs. It makes it harder to book acts, find venues, and attract audiences when you’re not rubbing elbows with those folks all the time.
The pandemic was obviously a bump in the road. When you run a show based on a premise of people coming together, social distancing really throws a wrench in that. But frankly, because JTMF was never tryna make money—truly, just tryna make friends—taking time off didn’t take a financial toll. There was no money to make so there was no money to lose. We just missed our friends. In fact, we were lucky to have started as a backyard show because it was easier to bounce back than some of these intimate indoor comedy clubs.
I will also say that since JTMF has gotten more popular, there is a new challenge in figuring out how to scale. In some ways it doesn’t make much sense to remain a free show, because what it takes to accommodate a bigger audience often comes with a bigger price tag. But, I made a promise to myself that we were always going to stay free. Art is so valuable; it’s a shame that it so often costs money to enjoy it. There are members in our community who can hardly afford to pay their rent and those folks deserve the joy of live music or some comedic relief as much as anyone else. Even a $5 ticket can be prohibitive to some folks. If we truly want to build community with the entire community, then no one should be turned away because they can’t afford to join us.
As long as I am in charge, JTMF will always be free. The catch is just that we want to be fair to our performers too. If we sold tickets, then as the audience grew, we’d have more to pay our incredible acts. Currently, the performers are generously donating their time and talent to entertain for free. So, we just hope all who come to JTMF buy into the premise and donate generously so we can compensate our performers as fairly as possible. We may not be able to pay a musician what we wish we could, but we have unlimited friendship to give on top, and we just hope the symbolism of the effort is felt.
Honestly, all things considered, I am amazed at how smooth it has been. Since JTMF began, I have continued to serve active duty, while also beginning law school in 2022, and somehow, this traveling circus of friendship has survived. The most recent show we put on was the weekend before law school finals. As I was setting up for the show—instead of studying—I thought, “I could have planned this better.” I guess, against all odds, the show must go on?
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work? What do you do? What do you specialize in? What are you known for? What are you most proud of? What sets you apart from others?
I run Just Tryna Make Friends (JTMF), a 501c3 nonprofit committed to promoting the arts and building community. I also am a Lieutenant in the Navy, a magician, and a law student.
I specialize in…not specializing? Don’t put me in a box! Sometimes, with JTMF, I joke, “I’m in the business of making friends. And business is good.”
What am I known for? My endless energy and a niche love of snails? My boyish charm? One day, I’d love to be known for helping to create a more equitable, peaceful, and just world. We’ll see what happens. In the meantime, and then too, I hope people think of me as kind.
What am I most proud of? All the artists who have worked with JTMF. There are some who are sharing their art for the first time ever. I am proud of them for putting themselves out there, being vulnerable and trusting our community with their art. There are others who have gone on to drop albums, win awards, and go on tour. I am proud of them for following their dreams, hustling hard, and making it happen.
I am proud of my sister. She’s an incredible person, and I am lucky to have watched her grow up.
I am proud of myself too, but I’m not going to stop and pat myself on the back for anything just yet. There is so much more I want to do in the world. I’m just getting started.
What sets me apart from others? I am a very, very fast typer.
Other than that, the diversity of my interests is maybe a little unusual. As a Navy helicopter pilot, law student, and magician. I’m not sure that anyone sits with me inside this particular part of the Venn diagram.
Really, I don’t think I am particularly talented, but I am willing to give almost anything a shot anyway. I will play guitar for an audience even though I know about four chords. I will try to speak in another language even if I may sound foolish. I will compete at a sport or a game even if I know I’m gonna lose. I will engage in a conversation even if I don’t know much about the topic (in this situation, I will ask a lot of questions).
I am so curious that I make it a point to follow my nose even if it leads me out of my comfort zone, and so playful that winning or being impressive is far less important than participating. I want to learn as much as possible, but that comes with admitting that there’s plenty I don’t know. Who cares if I sound dumb? That’s part of the process. I’ll learn faster that way.
A lot of people are afraid to act before they feel confident. Sure of themselves. Polished. I am unapologetically unpolished. I don’t mind making mistakes with people watching. I am boldly, publicly imperfect. I suppose this is unusual because people have told me it is disarming. I just think life is more fun this way. It is freeing. Plus, I hope it encourages others to dip a toe in, to share themselves, to wiggle. To be honest, vulnerable, and openminded.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
JTMF takes a village. My competing obligations do occasionally get in the way, which means I have to lean on others. When law school started, I asked the community for help. One friend, Neil Patel, volunteered, and he has made running the show significantly easier ever since. I don’t know that I could keep it going without him. Similarly, my co-creator Emilia used to step up big time when I had Navy commitments, not to mention that the show would never have taken off at all if it weren’t for her enthusiasm and dedication. I am truly grateful for everyone else who pitches in, from roommates and bartenders and the staff at venues to all our artists and our warm, welcoming, and helpful audience members.
Finally, as always, I thank my mom. She planted the seeds early—growing in me a love of the arts and an even greater love of community. She passed when I was 18, but I think she would have loved the show.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/jyrola
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/jyrola
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jyroland/
Image Credits
Kseniya Us
