Following on from the release of her much-loved collection 'LAVENDER' earlier this year, Seattle-based artist JUL!ET is looking to continue her vibrant ascent as she delivers the dreamy new single 'nice try!'.
Capturing more of that warm and shimmering alt-pop aesthetic she is known for, 'nice try!' makes for a wonderfully rich and immersive listen throughout. With her bright and buoyant vocal performance layered across a glittering production from start to finish, she is continuing to cement herself as one of the more alluring names on the rise right now.
So with the new single available to stream now, we sat down with her to find out more about her origins and what has inspired her most over the years.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
The voice was my first love and continues to amaze me. I took lessons for piano, guitar, and even trombone at times growing up, but most of my vocal training and practice came from singing along to the radio and casually jamming with friends. I sang in a bunch of different settings and genres: bluegrass campouts, musical theater, jazz band, and the national anthem.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
I was quite the builder of playlists in high school and would burn a new CD about twice a month to listen to in the car. At the time I was really into “Alternative” music and would listen religiously through Blalock’s Indie Rock Playlist. On multiple occasions I pushed my family’s data usage past the limit due to my excessive streaming. In those formative years, CHVRCHES, The Kooks, Lana Del Rey, ODESZA, and Phantogram became some of my favorite artists.
What was the first album you remember owning?
Metamorphosis by Hilary Duff. For my second grade talent show I sang ‘So Yesterday’ and a cool fourth grade girl asked to borrow it to perform the title track. I still love singing ‘So Yesterday’ and have covered it in a few of my live sets.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
‘claws’ by Charli XCX is the ultimate cool girl song. It’s perfectly edgy yet poppy, angsty yet upbeat – I need to make something like it.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
My top songwriting habit is writing and recording ideas on the go. I have an Apple Watch for the primary purpose of adding Voice Memos to the home screen, which comes in clutch when I’m driving or riding my bike and need to capture a creative spark. I also keep a running note on my phone with any song titles, topics, lines, and daily observations that catch my attention.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
I’m always listening to a ton of Charli XCX, Spacey Jane, and Taylor Swift! I also recently saw Charlie Puth in concert and Rina Sawayama, Lauv, and Suki Waterhouse at Governor’s Ball in NYC, and they were life-changing experiences.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
I mean, opening for Taylor Swift is the dream. So pumped to see her at the Eras Tour in Santa Clara!
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
The moment a song comes to life: when I start and finish an entire song in a manic haze, when I’m in the room writing and recording with other creatives, when I’m driving around bumping my work in progress, when I see an audience dancing around and mouthing my lyrics, when my band and I crush it onstage.
And what is the most frustrating part?
Loading in gear (just kidding). I guess I would say that the business side of music can be the most frustrating, but it’s still fun most of the time. It’s a lot to be an independent artist also acting as my own manager, booking agent, and creative director among other hats, and I have to be careful with how I spend my time these days.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
Go out to shows! They’re a great place to make friends and meet other creatives. Live music made me feel really connected to my local scene in Seattle. Watching how crowds react has been instructive for my own songwriting and performance. These experiences remind me of what it’s all about!
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JUL!ET's new single 'nice try!' is available to stream now. Check it out in the player below.