Juliet Ivy: Channeling the Everyday into Indie-Pop Magic

The 23-year-old NYC artist revels in a limitless, organic creative process and anticipates exciting new projects and shows in 2024.

In the bustling streets of New York City, where inspiration hides in every nook and melodies echo through the rich urban landscape, Juliet Ivy finds her muse. In an ever-evolving terrain of music, the new artist has captivated millions of listeners worldwide with her rare gift for juxtaposing whimsy with insight into bouncy, infectious songs. Infusing her music with a sense of playfulness, imagination and tongue-in-cheek wisdom about the essence of everyday, introspective moments, Ivy crafts melodies that harmoniously blend indie-pop, folk and hyper-pop. Her gentle voice exudes a youthful, sweet sound, yet the deeper existential themes disguised in her lyrics reveal a unique lens of the complexities of life and emotions.

The NYC native has been developing new sounds for her next EP, set to release this spring. Following the success of her debut EP “playpen” and the virality of “we’re all eating each other,” reaching over 40 million streams across platforms, the songstress just released a dreamy, quirky, color-saturated music video for the hit single. This year, fans can expect to see the long, white ribbons in her hair and her butterfly-shaped guitar at more live shows and on tour soon. Ivy is setting her sights on sharing her genuine love of music and connecting with the growing community of fans. Since graduating at NYU’s Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music last spring, the musician has been busy writing the story of an exhilarating new chapter.

“I love being busy because the New Yorker in me keeps going.”

On her list of recent achievements, being announced on the lineup for her first music festival at “Head In The Clouds” and looking forward to performing in her home turf at Forest Hills Stadium in Queens were cherries on top of all the success. Needless to say, 2024 is going to be a thrilling ride for Juliet Ivy.

For the young artist, the streets of New York City serve as an endless wellspring of inspiration—a tapestry of sights, sounds, and emotions that fuel her creative imagination and curiosities. From the hustle and bustle of Manhattan-bound subway cars to the more secluded, introspective streets of her neighborhood, Ivy draws upon her surroundings to craft songs that describe life in color and a child-like sense of wonder. Through clever wordplay and astute observations, she offers a fresh perspective on age-old themes, challenging listeners to see the world through a new lens.

“Being from New York has always really influenced my writing style and lyrical choices because being around all these people and just observing them— it makes me so curious where all these people are going, what their stories are and how we are all connected.”

At the heart of Juliet Ivy’s music lies a deeply personal and introspective songwriting process—one that finds beauty in the melting pot of everyday, organic experiences.

Whether she pens lyrics riding the subway home or spends time with her friends exploring the city spontaneously, the songstress’ creative process is guided by intuition, emotion and stream-of-consciousness. She never forces the creative process for herself; instead, she prioritizes being surrounded by her loved ones and embarking on new adventures. Her work is a testament to the power of music to capture the vivaciousness of life and shared human emotions.

“Just being a person is so complex, yet so simple. There are so many rabbit holes to fall down in terms of the human experience… Living in New York just always sparks a new rabbit hole in that sense for me… I feel like I can actually feel alive here and do things other than music.”

As a new artist, Juliet is more eager and motivated than ever to explore new sonic landscapes through her upcoming slate of projects. She sees an opportunity to forge connections with fans in ways she never thought possible.

“I’m just so grateful it has reached people who really like the music. I just want to keep growing and use this moment to really connect with people who have found me, get to know them, have them get to know me, and just enter this new project– and the rest of my hopefully long-lasting career– with all these new people with this new energy.”

Regardless of the numbers and noise around her viral hit, Ivy has continued to rely on her own personal motivations and energy to pursue new opportunities.

“I already had a bunch of stuff ready to go and I just went out [to LA] to finish it. I would’ve done that either way. I already put that pressure on myself. It’s more exciting now that there are people who are excited to hear the next step, but it’s definitely what I would’ve done anyway. I knew I wanted to just keep going, to keep my personal momentum going no matter how the project performed… It’s just really gratifying because I’ve worked so hard, and I’ve always been putting in the work. To feel like it’s actually accessing people now— it’s just the best feeling.”

For Juliet Ivy, music is more than just a means of self-expression—it is a bridge that connects humans to each other, transcending barriers of culture and difference.

“A conversation with another human who appreciates you and what you make is just irreplaceable and unique because everyone is a different person. I just want to spend my career having those moments more than anything.”

Whether she’s in LA penning lyrics about her New York experiences or interacting with her growing fanbase (nicknamed “the ivy league”) on social media, Ivy cherishes the opportunity to connect with the community of people who resonate with her music. As she prepares to wrap up her new EP and reach even more audiences, Ivy shares her boundless excitement for the projects that lie ahead and the creative journey that fuels her.

“My biggest goal is to continue growing as an artist and continue growing the community of listeners and fans that can be part of this experience with me… When I make music, I understand more of myself, and I’ve always hoped that people who listen would understand more about themselves as well… To find comfort and to find that these feelings are real and true, and we’re all in it together, and we’re all connected.”

She alluded to a theme in her song “wet nose,” which expresses her lack of an internal voice and her constant self-discovery through music and her support system: “Internal dialogue but I live in a silent fog / A mental toilet clog, I really miss my dog.”

Ivy has found herself propelled forward with unwavering encouragement and love from her family, friends and energetic little dog named Pesto. Ivy revealed that one of the songs on the new project is about the people she loves who continue to anchor her.

“From the beginning, [my parents] just always believed in me, and I’ve gotten my work ethic from them [by] admiring how hard they work at what they do. So, I’m just applying that to my own career because they’re the hardest workers I know. My mom is Chinese and my dad is Colombian… They both came from really poor families in New York and worked so hard… It just inspires me to do the same.”

Ivy’s friends have also solidly grounded her, providing both emotional support and practical guidance along the way. Whether collaborating on songs, being front-row at each other’s shows or simply sharing her songs on social media, Ivy’s circle provides a sense of camaraderie that is invaluable. Their shared experiences and mutual support inspire Ivy to push the boundaries of her artistry and strive for excellence in all that she does.

“When I went to NYU, I met so many of my friends who now feel like family. They’re all in music, [and having] that support system of people who are doing the same thing and entering the same industry is so comforting. You feel like you’re not alone because [it can be] a little bit scary.”

With her family and peers as her biggest supporters along with a new eager audience thrilled to accompany her in this creative chapter, Ivy embraces the future of her music career with confidence and unwavering determination. Carrying a deep appreciation for channeling everyday memories and ideas into her art and an unwavering dedication to expanding her musical scope, Ivy is poised to carve out space in the music industry and bridge new connections. Through her unique voice and thoughtful songwriting, she invites listeners to join her on a journey of discovery and inspiration. 

“A metaphorical internal voice— I hope these songs can be that for people. To let the people say their truth and express what they connect with it. I want to amplify that.”