An Interview With the LA-Based Singer-Songwriter, CHANDLER JULIET!

Thanks for your time today! Where does this interview find you now? Is there music playing in the background

Hey there! I’m in my kitchen on my laptop catching up on emails on a Sunday. Yes I’m listening to music! My current obsession is this new EP by Daniella Mason. Pure Nashville-pop goodness.  

I’m really grateful for all the growth I’ve experienced so far this year. I graduated last December and overall I wanted to take my music career much more seriously, making each release count, and performing as often as possible. I have accomplished a lot of my goals small and large in the past 10 months (releasing these new songs, building relationships with press people, getting that pretty little blue checkmark on instagram) but I think one that has been most noticeable is how much I have been performing live out in LA. I never let more than 2-3 weeks pass without me performing at a local writer’s event, or a show with my band, cause if I wait too long I get nervous!! Hehe. It’s seriously not worth the stress and it also helps me stay polished. 

Growing up in a musical family, music was always around, and I’m lucky that came very naturally to me from a young age, and learned how to play a lot of different instruments growing up. I have always loved music and have a deep appreciation for it, and almost any kind of it. I always knew I wanted to release my original songs and make records, but at first wanted to be an actress before I took on that front. But when I was 18, after playing my originals for some trusted friends, and getting an extremely positive response (and some much needed validation lol),  music took my obsessive focus, and I started releasing my songs and making my own music videos throughout my college years. 

I think the hardest thing in my experience, is having to accept that things take so much longer than you want them to. And sometimes they pick up crazy speed, and then slow back down. Having to learn the pacing of “hurry up and wait” can be tough. Using your resources to the best of your ability is all you can do, and learning to have patience and love the process is really important. 

Growing up in LA has been a strange thing in my experience, and it feels like I have only recently realized how growing up in such a career-driven town has effected me. But it all comes through in my music I think. My songs lately have really developed into talking about life, and my story and all those real adult feelings, and what growing up in a lonely and isolating town has felt like.

“tidal wave” was the first song I wrote this year and since I had graduated. I was feeling incredibly lonely and low and didn’t expect “life” to hit me so hard after graduating, cause I didn’t think much would change. I had already lived in LA, and I was going to continue to stay and pursue a career in music and entertainment, but it was so much harder than I thought. I think “tidal wave” is the most authentic and honest thing I have ever written and released, and my music is only getting more blunt and honest as I move forward (something also very true about me in person). The song is all about loneliness and asking God for help, to help me figure out the waves of life, and where I am. Although sad and real, there are definite waves of optimism. 

I would love to know more about why decided to put together a collection inspired by the elements, fire, eater, earth and air?

I wrote tidal wave first, then burning sage, and after a spin class (endorphins running high, and all) I realized that those both have themes of water, and fire, and thought it would be really interesting and a fun challenge to loosely theme songs around all 4 of the elements. I then wrote “gravitational” and “hide and seek” with my collaborators Joe Pepe and Zack Burke, which are the “earth” and “air” songs of the EP, respectively. This collection, and all my recent works really, is me telling my story of growing up in Los Angeles, and letting go of adolescence

How do you plan on celebrating the release of “elements”? What did it feel like hearing it all for the first time?

I will definitely host an ep release show here in Los Angeles, and hopefully hit the road soon!! I loved hearing it all together for the first time, because I think there is finally a sonically cohesive thread through these four songs, as they are all guitar based. The songs are loosely themed around each element which was really fun to explore and a fun challenge to rise to, and actually accomplish. 

Since the beginning of music, people have turned to it for support and as an escape from their realities. How do you want your music received and appreciated?

I always think about the two ends of the spectrum of music, and entertainment. There’s the side that you completely escape from reality, just let go and listen to more escapist lyrics that don’t make you think too much (which I actually enjoy quite a lot). Then there’s the music that is really heartfelt and emotional, that opens something up within the listener, as we are all looking for connection and relation to each other in this human experience. I am such a fan of both, and want to be a creator of both. But even in my most fun and sassy pop tracks, I still want there to be a message. I love having fun, but I also love to feel and be self aware and allow myself to be human. I am a live act more than anything, so I can’t wait to hit the road and sing and dance with people all over the US, and the world, someday. 

What has it been like keeping up with your social media accounts and all of the different platforms? Is it hard to stay up to date on it all? What would you say is your favorite way to connect with your fans now?

I love social media because it allows me to stay in contact with friends and fans, but of course it can get overwhelming at times. I love Instagram, it’s my favorite platform because it’s so visual. I graduated in media management (in the film department) so visuals are a huge passion for me as well as music, especially when they come together. 

If you were going to be stranded on a deserted island forever, what musical item would you take with you and why?

Easy. Guitar. And my voice (if that doesn’t count as 2). I write my most authentic music on guitar, I’ve found. Something about me playing and singing at the same time is really honest and real, both lyrically and melodically, probably because I’m most comfortable with both since I’ve been playing so long.

Do you have any tour dates you would like to tell our readers about? How will you be spending your fall and winter?

I will definitely be playing out of LA in 2019, so please keep in touch with my dates on my website (www.chandlerjuliet.com) and sign up for the email list while you’re there!! In fall and winter, I’ll still be playing some shows here in LA, I have an SF trip planned to do a couple shows, and will be writing and recording like a mad woman. I’m addicted and obsessed and just love creating, so that never really stops. 

At the end of the day, what do you hope your fans take away from your music? I’d like to know more about how you want your music to be timeless?

I hope my listeners can hear my story and my emotions and relate to them, know someone else thinks and feels the way they do, possibly. It would be really nice for ME to know that I’M not alone in the way that I am/think/feel. I want people to leave feeling inspired, and with light, and after feeling your feelings, go out and live life! Having fun and playing is so important and I think it’s something we all need to remember to do.