Meet Juliet Varnedoe, a musician with a captivating journey. Her love for music began in her youth, where she spent her days playing the piano and singing. However, Juliet decided to explore new horizons and pursued a career in photography. Yet, her heart yearned for music, leading her to relocate to New York to delve into the world of jazz.
Now based in New York, Juliet combines electronic beats with the rich sounds of traditional jazz, drawing inspiration from her Louisiana roots. Her music reflects her diverse experiences and the vibrant cultural tapestry of her upbringing. Join Juliet Varnedoe on her musical odyssey as she weaves together the rhythms of the past with the beats of the present.
Can you tell us about your journey as an indie musician? What inspired you to pursue a career in music?
I started out very devoted to classical music and would listen to records, practice piano, and perform in a variety of musical endeavors. Then I stopped. I wanted to try a new discipline and get out of the practice room. I applied to the San Francisco Art Institute and started my career as a photographer, which was very fulfilling. I was also exposed to a lot of jazz music on the west coast and that influence came with me when I moved to New York. I wanted to get back into performing, and started to work with jazz. New York was a musical university for me.
How would you describe your unique style and sound as an artist? What sets you apart from other musicians?
In my first EP I was experimenting with using electronic sounds with traditional acoustic jazz instruments. I also added Cajun French phrases to nod to the Louisiana area where I am originally from. I think of this work as a reflection of my journeys in America – east coast meets west coast with roots in New Orleans.
Could you share some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced as an indie musician and how you overcame them?
Motivating yourself to pursue musical projects can be challenging because of the time demands it requires, but it all comes down to the joy I get when I’m making music. It gives me a chance to express myself and say things I couldn’t say otherwise.
What is your creative process like? How do you approach songwriting and composing music?
Right now, because I just finished a project, I am in that creative mode of listening carefully. I keep journals, take notes on chord progression, and go out to live music. The process is organic. When I started Cajun Blue I was just playing around with blues chords and riffs on the piano and suddenly I found a vein and worked on it until it was completed. Completion is very important to the process. It allows you to open up to the next possibility.
Are there any particular themes or messages that you aim to convey through your music? What inspires your lyrics?
Not so much a message, more a feeling and connection. My lyrics are inspired by memories, but also observations and questions I have. I also like reading collections of songbooks from the greats like Rodgers and Hart, Jerome Kern, Johnny Mercer, to look at the themes and rhymes they worked with for inspiration. Love, in all its forms, is the most common theme.
What are your long-term goals as an indie musician? Where do you see yourself and your music in the next few years?
Long term, I hope to have a body of work that people listen to and enjoy. In the next few years I hope to have another cycle of songs recorded and work with more musicians.
