Singer/songwriter Julen Santamaria (born 1996) was raised in Glasgow in a bilingual Scottish/Spanish family. Brought up on a diet of eclectic music with diverse influences, he was immersed in music from an early age and throughout his youth was involved in a range of choirs and bands as well as formal tuition and singing at a national level. He left art school in 2016 to pursue a musical career and focus on his first formed band: ‘Angus and the Whine Bottles’ where he and long time friend and painter Angus Fernie co-wrote and self-released their first single "A Parting Gift”. The Whine Bottles disbanded after a year with various members moving away and Julen re-branded, forming "Awkward Family Portraits" in September 2016. AFP’s evolution through the past few years has covered music styles from country to roots and Americana with Julen writing a library of innovative originals influenced by the music of his childhood and Old-time American music, as well as drawing heavily on personal experience and values. 

Julen frequents local Glasgow music haunts with a more recent endeavour named “Baby Face And The Beltin’ Boys” with AFP band-mates Timmy and Andrew, and drummer Donal McCruden. He continues to work on his solo music however AFP is currently his main project and outlet.