In the haunting melodies of Julie Haven’s latest creation, “Between the Lies,” a raw and poignant narrative unfolds. This soul-stirring composition delves into the harrowing depths of domestic abuse and gaslighting, revealing a personal journey of resilience and self-discovery. As the artist herself, Julie lays bare the inspiration behind the song, stemming from a tumultuous relationship that left her mentally battered and questioning her own worth. With unflinching honesty, she shares the transformation from a strong, independent woman to one ensnared in the insidious web of manipulation and self-doubt. Julie’s revelation is not merely confined to her personal struggle but transcends into a universal anthem for those who have faced similar tribulations.

Through the emotional chords of “Between the Lies,” she invites listeners to join her in deciphering the truth hidden behind the facade of falsehoods. With each note, Julie unearths the gradual erosion of confidence and strength, ultimately finding solace in the song’s empowering message to “read between the lies.”

We caught up with Julie Haven below:

Tell us the story of this song, why did you choose to visualize this song specifically in this way?

I wrote this song while living through an emotionally and mentally abusive relationship with an alcoholic narcissist. I was confused as to how someone as independent as me could allow someone to break me down to a level where I didn’t even recognize myself. It was the first time I understood why women stay in abusive relationships. It’s something that happens slowly and you don’t realize what is happening until you’re already deep in it. So when I sat down to write this song I really had to ask myself if I was smart enough and strong enough. One of the things I would hear a lot is that I was stupid. I was actually with a man who was very well educated and came from a lot of money, where I just had a high school diploma and my family didn’t have a lot of money, so he would love to tell me how much smarter and of a higher class he was than me. Eventually I believed I was in fact stupid and trash. However, there must have been a part of me who realized these were lies or the song would not have written itself in such a way. I like to think of it as my higher self stepping in to help me come to this realization. 

So with the video, I wanted to share my story. The text messages in the video were almost word for word what I would receive on a regular basis, edited of course, because the language was actually much more offensive than what was shown in the video. I wanted the video to portray my life experience in the most raw way I could think of. 

What was the inspiration behind this video (visuals, storyline, etc.)?

The inspiration was as I said, my life experience. I sat down with a friend to help write a storyboard for the song and gave Lance, the videographer, creative freedom to suggest other ideas along with the amazing actors. 

The basic story is watching an independent woman be broken down into a shell of herself by anger and abuse. The whole time, I (playing an “angelic” character) am watching her go through this alone. She can’t see me until it gets so bad (physically abusive) when she realizes she needs to leave. That’s when she can finally see me and I reach for her and lead her out the door to a new path where she can find herself again. 

I loved the idea of that story because even though there was no literal angel I could see leading me away when I went through this myself, the song was my higher self leading me through the darkness. 

What was the process of making this video?

Making the video was a beautiful and therapeutic experience. I wanted so badly to play myself in the video, but I was encouraged to hire actors instead. I am so glad I listened to the advice because I think they did a much better job than I could have. I put out a casting call and got video responses and when I saw Manny and Vickey’s videos I knew they were the ones. They exceeded my expectations by far. It was a great day because they came to the house the morning of the shoot and we all met for the first time. By the end of the day I had made new friends. I still keep in touch with them as well. Manny especially blew me away because he played such a monster and was so believable that I actually started crying at some point. The funny thing is he is one of the gentlest and kindest people I have ever met and he’s also a very talented singer and pianist. Vickey is this bright and bubbly person yet she had such a way of portraying the part so flawlessly. Lance, the videographer, who also directed and edited the video did such a brilliant job at piecing this altogether. I was so grateful to have been connected with him. 

I think we were all affected emotionally by the filming of this video. 

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As the music fades into the echoes of Julie Haven’s heartfelt lyrics, the artist reflects on the collaborative effort that brought “Between the Lies” to life. In a poignant visual portrayal, actors Manny and Vickey breathe life into the painful narrative, their performances resonating with authenticity and emotional intensity. Julie’s decision to step back from playing herself in the video, instead assuming the role of a guiding presence, adds a unique layer to the storytelling, emphasizing the transformative nature of the artist’s journey.

Through this evocative creation, Julie Haven extends a compassionate hand to those who may find solace and strength in her music. With a hope that her song becomes a source of wisdom for those grappling with the torment of abusive relationships, Julie envisions “Between the Lies” as a beacon of resilience. In sharing her story, she seeks to remind others that they are not alone and that the path to healing begins with the courage to confront the lies and emerge into the light of self-discovery.