Introducing Los Angeles-based pop singer/songwriter CHANDLER JULIET. This beauty has just released her single 'Speechless' which won for 2017 Best Pop Record at last nights Indie Music Channel Awards. I had the pleasure of meeting this emerging talent to not only interview her, but also watch her perform at the famous Troubador and let me just say, she is super sweet and has an awesome stage presence. Get to know more about this rising star by reading our intervew below:
MHB: Can you introduce yourself? Where are you from; can you touch a little on the music scene there and what you like about it?
CHANDLER: I am from Los Angeles, born and raised! I have never been the big fish in a small pond, from the tiny town, but I feel like that has motivated me more to stand out as an artist. I love LA and seeing all the amazing talent that comes into this town.
MHB: How long has music been a part of your life and how did it come to be a part of it?
CHANDLER: Since my parents are professional musicians, music has always been a huge part of my life. They required me and my sister to take up piano lessons when we were kids, and we kept studying different instruments as we grew up. I played violin, clarinet, and cello for the longest—like 8 years—and taught myself how to sing, play guitar and write songs.
MHB: Growing up, who were some of your biggest musical influences? What current artists would you say continue to inspire and influence you and your music?
CHANDLER: I am a huge Katy Cat, and love the other great empowering female solo acts such as Lady Gaga, Demi Lovato, Sara Bareilles. I grew up listening to all kinds of music, but mostly folk-pop, pop, and rock. I love John Mayer, Jason Mraz, and so so many alternative bands. My favorite band right now is the 21 Pilots.
MHB: Without using any musical terms, how would you describe your sound to a new listener?
CHANDLER: I would describe my music as an opportunity to take a ride to a different place in your mind. Let go completely, and take a smokey, mysterious, sensuous journey into a different realm.
MHB: Did you always know you wanted to be a musician or was there a particular moment when you decided you wanted to make music your life's work?
CHANDLER: Music was always just something that I did, and knew was destined for me. I just feel like it’s my job to follow that calling, and not question it.
MHB: How do you describe yourself as a person apart from being a musician?
CHANDLER: Well, I’m hilarious. I try to stay as positive as possible in every aspect of my life. The food I eat, the people I spend time with, the thoughts I think, and the things I say are all a reflection of positivity. I believe we speak our realities into existence. I’m kind of a hippie.
MHB:Can you tell me a bit about your creative process? Is it typically the same or does it differ every time?
CHANDLER: It does differ at times. I used to write with a guitar, and let the melodies and concepts come out and slowly develop, but in the recent months, I have been writing starting with my voice, jotting ideas and concepts into my voice memos and notepad on my phone. I love experimenting with writing music and creating, because there is no right or wrong way.
MHB: Let's talk about your single "Speechless", how did it come together? What is it about and what was the inspiration behind it?
CHANDLER: Speechless was a blast to write. The girl in speechless, that character has been dying to come out, and she has a mission.
MHB: You've been nominated for 3 Indie Music Channel awards for the song, congratulations btw, how are you feeling about that?
CHANDLER: Yes, thank you! I’m so excited about it. My incredible team at Revolver Recordings (Mikal Blue, Dean Dinning, Jake Williams) and I have been working so hard on making the best music we can, and we are so thrilled it’s starting to get recognized in the Indie scene, and in the Sync world!! Speechless, along with the rest of my upcoming EP is some of my best work yet, and we are so proud to be sharing it with the world.
MHB: What projects are you currently working on? Is there an album in the works? What can we expect to hear from you in the coming months?
CHANDLER: If you liked Speechless, then just you are going to love my EP, 7 Minutes in Heaven.
MHB: What advice would you give to other artists trying to make it out here in L.A.?
CHANDLER: Master your craft, work on your career every day, practice every day… don’t sleep until you’ve done at least one thing every day for your career, exercise, and stay away from negative people.
MHB: If you had the opportunity to go back in time and see one artist perform live, who would you choose?
CHANDLER: Michael Jackson!!
MHB: Can you share one random fact about yourself?
I make my own jewelry :3
MHB: What does music mean to you?
CHANDLER: Music is everything to me, and I’m so blessed to have a career in music.
MHB: Is there anything else you would like to share about yourself and your music?
CHANDLER: I have put my heart and soul into this EP! I hope you all check it out and love it as much as I loved making it. Thank you all for reading this Q & A and if you would like to keep up with me and my journey, then please follow me on Spotify, and Instagram!!
You can check out her latest single 'Speechless' below:
And as a special treat, check out her live performance of 'Speechless' which won for Best Pop Record at last night's Indie Music Channel Awards below:
Congratulations on your win Chandler!
To hear more from CHANDLER JULIET, be sure to follow her
on Spotify, SoundCloud, YouTube, Facebook and Twitter
