Alexandra (Founder of Music Debut LLC / Host):
Hey everyone! I’m Alexandra Gobrogge, Founder of Music Debut — where we help independent musicians grow and launch their careers.

Today I’m talking with indie pop musician Juliet Daniel (Indie Pop Musician) about her independent music career journey and her new collaborative EP All My Friends Are Stars. I’m super excited to talk to you today, Juliet. Thanks for being here!

Juliet Daniel (Indie Pop Musician):
Hey, thank you so much for having me!

Juliet Daniel (Indie Pop Musician) on Finding Self and Connecting with Others Through Music

Alexandra (Founder / Host):
So first off — why is making and creating music important to you?

Juliet Daniel (Indie Pop Musician):
For me, music has always been a way of figuring out how I feel about things. I’ll sit down to write a song and end up realizing what I actually think or feel — stuff I couldn’t really put into words before.

And it’s not just about the lyrics. It’s also about creating the sound that captures that emotion. There’s something really rewarding about making something that represents a piece of you — but also kind of lives on its own.

Plus, I love that other people can listen and find their own meaning in it. I think we’re all looking for connection, and music is such a beautiful way to find your people.

Alexandra (Founder / Host):
I really resonate with this. Music builds community in a really special way. It’s also such a good outlet for processing emotions — which is one of the main reasons most of us make music in the first place, as a form of therapy.

Juliet Daniel (Indie Pop Musician):
Exactly. There aren’t many other things that can process emotions in that way — maybe other forms of art, but definitely not tech or products or whatever. You have to do that kind of emotional work yourself, and music just happens to be my favorite way to do it.

Juliet Daniel on Realizing Music Was the Missing Piece

Alexandra (Founder / Host):
When did you decide to actually pursue music as a career? How did that happen?

Juliet Daniel (Indie Pop Musician):
Honestly, it was super gradual. I’ve played instruments since I was a kid, but growing up, music was kind of treated like something you did to look “well-rounded” — you know, to get into college or whatever.

After college, I moved to Seattle and started working at Microsoft as a product manager. It was a great job — I learned a ton, met great people, saved up some money. But eventually, I realized something was missing.

I never stopped listening to music, even when I wasn’t making it. But for a while, I couldn’t even go to concerts. I’d watch female artists perform and just feel jealous — like, ugh, why can’t that be me? I didn’t even listen to a lot of female vocalists because it made me compare myself.

Looking back, that should’ve been the sign that I wanted to be doing it too.

Once I started writing again, it felt like journaling — like, just processing life. After a couple years, I had four songs I wanted to record, so I hit up a producer from my hometown — shout out to Enrique Rojas — and he really helped me get started. He kind of planted that “you could actually do this” idea in my head.

From there, I realized I connected way more with creative people — artists, comedians, filmmakers — than I did with tech folks. I started learning production on my own, messing around with Ableton, and I just kept following what I was curious about.

Eventually, I got to this point where I asked myself, If you don’t want to do this anymore, why are you still doing it? So I left Microsoft. It was scary, but it felt right.

Music doesn’t always get the validation that other careers do, but it’s worth it. My goal now is to keep making honest art and connect with people through that.

Juliet Daniel on the Branding Reason Behind Changing Her Artist Name

Alexandra (Founder / Host):
I love that. So, you recently changed your artist name to your real name — Juliet Daniels. What made you decide to do that?

Juliet Daniel (Indie Pop Musician):
It was on my mind for about a year before I actually did it. Honestly, I just didn’t love my old name anymore — it just didn’t feel like me.

When I first started, I felt like I needed a stage name, like a buffer between my “real” self and my artist self. I used to see Juliet Daniels as the logical, resume-building, 9-to-5 version of me — not the artist.

But now, I’ve kind of integrated those two sides. I don’t need an alter ego to make art anymore. I am who I am, and that’s enough. It felt right to make everything line up — my name, my art, my identity.

Juliet Daniel on the All My Friends Are Stars Project

Alexandra (Founder / Host):
Let’s talk about your latest project, All My Friends Are Stars. It’s a collaborative EP with five different artists. How did that idea come about?

Juliet Daniel (Indie Pop Musician):
Oh, I love this question! I’d been thinking about doing a collabs project for about a year. I just kept making this list of people I wanted to work with — friends, artists I’d met around the Seattle scene — and I thought, why not make something together?

I also love the idea of re-imagining songs that already exist. We put so much effort into our music — why not revisit it, remix it, breathe new life into it?

I’m a huge fan of collaborations in general. I get so excited when two artists I love come together. It’s also just a fun, natural way to connect. And when you’re collaborating on a remix, you already know the heart of the song — so you can really focus on making it fresh and different.

The Seattle music scene has been a big part of my journey, so I wanted this project to celebrate that community. All the artists and producers involved are from here, and it was honestly such a good excuse to hang out with my friends, make art, shoot videos — just create together.

It’s kind of a love letter to the people and the city that made me fall back in love with music.

Juliet Daniel on Her Next Sound — and Why It’s More “Her” Than Ever

Alexandra (Founder / Host):
That’s awesome. So what’s next for you — musically?

Juliet Daniel (Indie Pop Musician):
I’ve been working on a bunch of new songs that feel more me than ever before. Now that I’m releasing under my real name, I want to show more of my personality — the humor, the awkwardness, the real stuff.

I’ve been playing around with my lower vocal range and writing about things that aren’t always covered in pop music — like self-doubt, identity, all those everyday weird human moments.

Sound-wise, I’m leaning a bit more guitar-y and live, but I still love electronic music too. I’ve also got a drum-and-bass remix of my song Battery coming soon with Sam Rydell — he’s a super high-energy DJ and producer. That track has been a blast to make.

Overall, I just want to keep exploring who I am and finding new ways to connect with people through what I create.

Juliet Daniel on Her Advice for Independent Musicians

Alexandra (Founder / Host):
I am so excited to hear what you have coming up. Lastly, to wrap up — what advice would you give to independent musicians who are just starting out?

Juliet Daniel (Indie Pop Musician):
Hmm… honestly, I’d say don’t wait for permission. Just start. Record your ideas, even if they’re messy. Follow whatever excites you, even if it doesn’t make perfect sense yet.

And remember — your art is valid just because you made it.

Alexandra (Founder / Host):
That’s such good advice. Thank you so much for chatting with me today, Juliet. I enjoyed hearing about your journey and appreciate the advice you gave. I’m sure independent musicians will learn a lot from what you shared.

Juliet Daniel (Indie Pop Musician):
Thank you! This was so fun.