Woman to Watch :: Juliet Lloyd

Juliet Lloyd is a professional singer/songwriter and recording artist based in Gaithersburg, MD, who has dedicated over 20 years to writing and performing music. Throughout her career, she has independently released three studio albums, with her fourth, Carnival, set to drop on October 25th. This upcoming record is a stunning exploration of themes many women can relate to – processing past relationships and moving forward, with all the complex emotions that journey entails.

Juliet’s music has not only resonated with her audiences but has also found its way into TV shows on MTV and VH1. Performing over 150 dates annually, both solo and with her band, Juliet is a familiar presence in the DC/MD/VA music scene. Notably, she manages every aspect of her career independently, from funding and releasing to promoting her records, showcasing her remarkable talent and determination.

 

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How did you get to where you are today?

I’ve always had a balance between my “left” and “right” brains, feeling equally at home with numbers as I am with creating art. This has made it difficult to find satisfaction in just one path, so I’ve bounced between them.

I studied economics in college, because I didn’t know music could be a viable career path, even though I was always performing on the side. After graduation, I realized I didn’t want a traditional career in law or finance – I wanted to explore music.

I wrote my first song in 2003, not really knowing what I was doing. I studied songwriting at Berklee College of Music, and not long after, I released two albums and toured across the country. However, I really struggled with burnout. The feeling of uncertainty about what “success” means in music led me to step away.

I got a graduate degree in communications, moved to DC to work in consulting, and didn’t write a song for 10 years. Then the pandemic hit, giving me time to reflect. I returned to music, writing one song that won a prestigious songwriter contest in DC. This reignited my passion, leading to an EP, hundreds of local shows, and leaving my full-time job to fully pursue music again. Now, I’m about to release what I believe is my best album yet, with a more grounded perspective on what success means to me.

Who has made an impact on you?

Musically, I’ve been influenced by many artists – from Lilith Fair-era singer/songwriters who proved that female artists could both write incredible music and sell out tours, to songwriting icons like Carole King and Joni Mitchell. Over the past year, I’ve gotten really into memoirs by female musicians, including Carole, Joni, Brandi Carlile, and Margo Price. Their stories reveal the often unseen journey of persistence and resilience behind their success.

Recently, I’ve focused more on the craft of songwriting, aiming to express universal truths through specific details. One of the best at this is Gretchen Peters, a songwriter whose class I took earlier this year. She had a tremendous impact on how I approach the craft.

What do you think has helped you the most with your success?

“Success” is a loaded term for me. Like many women, I often focus on what I haven’t achieved, while others are able to see my accomplishments. The key factors that have helped me reach where I am today are:

1. Hard work and multitasking: When you’re running a business, you have to juggle numerous tasks. On any given day, I might write a song, handle business-related stuff, take calls, and perform – all of which require different skill sets.
2. Handling criticism: I’ve learned not to take criticism personally. I know from my acting school days that you can bounce back from even the toughest feedback. In the music industry, where rejections are common, I try to chalk it up to personal preferences and move on.
3. Asking for help: This is a newer one for me, because I’ve been so used to going it alone. I’ve learned the value of investing in professional skills and outsourcing tasks to experts, rather than trying to handle everything myself.

What has been the biggest challenge you have overcome in order to achieve your goals?

For me, the biggest challenge has been mental. As a creative, I constantly remind myself that success in this field is rarely a linear journey and that many factors are beyond my control. I instead pour my energy into those things I can control, and set goals accordingly. Not comparing myself to others – especially in the age of social media – is crucial.

 

What are you most proud of?

I’m proud to have something meaningful to say through my music, and that my songs allow me to connect with people over shared experiences. It’s fulfilling to be creating some of my best work now, in my 40s, after returning to music following a long break. I’m also proud of the courage it takes to build a sustainable career in the arts – something not everyone dares to do.

What are three pieces of advice you could give to our readers?

1. You are more than your job. While it’s important to celebrate work successes, they’re just one part of who you are. My therapist once asked me how I’d describe myself beyond my job, and it was such a hard question to answer! I’m still working on this, and I think we can all get better at “being” rather than just “doing.”
2. On that note, therapy is valuable! It’s a great tool for exploring your relationship with success and developing healthier perspectives.
3. Don’t be afraid to embrace a non-linear path like mine! If your journey is unconventional, it adds to your uniqueness and humanity. I used to worry about being judged for shifting between corporate work and music, but those diverse experiences have made me who I am today. I’m a better consultant because of my creativity, and a better musician because of my past experiences. It’s all part of my story, and I’m proud of it rather than feeling the need to hide it.

How do you try to make an impact?

I find immense joy in mentoring others, especially fellow female artists. I love sharing what I’ve learned to help them navigate the industry more quickly than I did. Mentorship is crucial in the music world, and the lack of it is a big reason why we still see fewer female artists, producers, and writers today. I’m passionate about lifting up other women in the industry – whether it’s sharing booking tips, offering connections, talking about songwriting, advocating for them in the community, or normalizing conversations about the behind-the scenes struggles we all face.

Juliet’s new album Carnival is the culmination of years away from the music industry grind, the hours spent writing through some of life’s hardest challenges, and the reintroduction of an artist now ripe with wisdom and experience. Recorded in an unhurried process over nearly 15 months and produced by Todd Wright (Lucy Woodward, Butch Walker, Toby Lightman), Carnival’s nine songs are a study in contrasts: Light and dark, devastating and self-deprecating, apologetic and angry, conversational and conceptual. They are genre-fluid, weaving elements of pop, folk, soul, and rock to create a vibrant and often unexpected platform for Juliet’s unflinching storytelling.

Listen Now!