Lyrics are not mere words strung together, but rather, voices of the heart's deepest emotions. This profound sentiment forms the cornerstone of Juliet Hawkins' latest album, "Stay True." Within its melodies lie narratives of female empowerment and triumph over adversity. Yet, Juliet's lyrics transcend the confines of the recording studio. Beyond the realms of her music, she embarks on a noble movement, advocating for social justice and actively participating in volunteer initiatives. Her commitment extends far beyond the spotlight, as she tirelessly champions causes close to her heart, striving to effect positive change in the world. To learn more about Juliet Hawkins, read on.

Where are you based?
Long Beach, CA

What inspired you to start writing songs?
Music has always been an outlet to heal, to connect, to belong. I struggled with addiction in my early 20s and turned to music to process my pain. I sang in a tribute band for a while but found so much solace in songwriting — sharing my experience with other; turning hardships into art gave me relief.

Crafting songs is quite challenging. How do you approach the process of composing lyrics and discovering the perfect melody for your songs?
I've never really had a formula for this part. I definitely don't sit down with the intention of writing a song, it's gotta be fueled by something significant, and usually a phrase or a melody will come to me when I least expect it and almost force me to transmute it- songs come to me in dreams, in traffic, during a conversation with a stranger.

Congratulations on the release of your album Stay True. Can you tell us more about the theme of the album?
Thank you!! This is my pride and joy. I've always wanted to put out a live album. There are a few themes at play- female empowerment, the struggles of the music industry, finding my Faith, my relationship with my dad, staying true to who I am, and letting my struggles not define me, but help me grow.. we live in an over processed, over produced, over filtered world — this album offers the opposite: honest storytelling, raw emotion, challenging the listener perhaps to dive in, look deep, accept and let go, to find peace just how you are, peace in the imperfections, peace in the chaos life throws your way.. There's no fluff here, no vocal tuning, just me and my stories. That's the point.

What do you aspire for listeners to take away from your music? Do your songs convey any particular messages?
I'd love for my listeners to find healing in my music, maybe in hearing my story, they can find their own inner strength, their own voice, and above all, belonging. We don't overcome pain by dressing it up, we overcome it by bringing light to the wound. We don't overcome adversity by staying silent, we overcome it by standing up and speaking out.

You also released a single called My Father’s Men. Can you tell us more about the story behind the song and music video?
This is one of my favorite tunes from the album for sure. Mitch Parks (the director of the music video) and I wanted to portray "the artists struggle" in a sort of film noir aesthetic. Every woman I know has gone through this battle: trying to hold onto what's theirs, to get a fair shot, to be heard, to get the credit they deserve, to challenge the narrative, to be respected as an artist in a STILL very sexist industry; the necessary breaking point to find that voice inside. We have to push back. We have an obligation to the youth, and the younger female artists next in line, to raise the bar and change the status quo. This is bigger than music, this is our right as women to be equal- from the "industry" to healthcare.

In addition to your music career, you actively support mental health awareness and advocate for openness about addiction. Why do you believe it’s crucial to tackle these sensitive subjects?
It's what we're supposed to do as humans, in my opinion. Every one of us has either struggled with addiction and/or mental illness or loves someone who has. There's a stigma that if you're an addict, you're a loser or an outcast. Our "justice" system does a great job at compartmentalizing people based on these things, but the truth is we all have a pain nobody knows about — we all want to be loved and heard and seen, and I think in sharing my story of my own addictions and my own mental illness, that maybe someone out there will say "Hey if she can get through it, I can too”.

We also heard that you donate clothing and supplies to a women’s shelter in Long Beach California. What inspired you to start donating to the shelter?
I didn't want to just drop my stuff at Goodwill when I realized there are women just like me right down the street who need clothes, supplies, etc.

Its touching to see your involvement with PAWZ. Could you elaborate on your collaboration with the nonprofit? What are your goals in supporting the organization?
My friend runs WeSavedAPuppy.org; having adopted my best bud and fur baby Bernie from a shelter in San Diego, I want to push adoption as much as possible so I'm pretty passionate about promoting his business. There are animals all over the place that need our help, who can't fend for themselves; we've gotta step up and help out.

You’re known for being vocal about various injustices, whether it's condemning homophobia or misogyny. Why do you believe it's essential to confront these issues? What actions do you think individuals can take to address these widespread concerns?
I have always and will continue to encourage listeners to speak out, stand up, shut down hatred; call out prejudice, to fight for each other; the freedoms of our children and the future of this planet rely on us changing things, and being willing to have those difficult conversations; being willing to stand alone in the fight for justice. There's A LOT of darkness out there, especially in the mainstream media and we're repeating history in a lot of ways. We've got to be willing to look at that, we've got to be bothered by it. There are also a lot of bait-and-switch tactics to perpetuate the cycle, but if we can remember there's power in the people, there's power in numbers, and the more we can rise together, remembering we all bleed the same color, we all deserve healthcare, freedom of speech, equal pay, autonomy over our bodies, if we can see our brother or sister in a stranger, we can heal as a nation and as a human race.

Are there any upcoming projects you would like to share?
I've got a show on 3/29 at the iconic LA venue — THE MINT! Full band, sax, and all, I'm super excited about that. I'm also working on a new EP already and have been storyboarding a new music video. Stay tuned :)

It's been a crazy past few years. How have you been staying positive?
I'm not always a positive person, I'm an honest person, and I'm really sensitive so it takes work sometimes to stay positive. If it wasn't for God and Cottonwood church (thanks to my bandmates Stephen Del Cid and Yessie Del Cid bringing me there), I'd be a lot more miserable. I wake up in the middle of the night with my heart racing or riddled with anxiety and I have to take deep breaths, one step at a time. I make gratitude lists, as corny as that may sound, and it helps me refocus on what matters. I take time to appreciate myself, to look for the wins, to celebrate where I've come from. I also have no problem quitting jobs or moving when things aren't working. I turn to music and my dog Bernie, rollerblading, painting, support groups, nature, and whatever I can do to stay in the moment. It's all we have anyway.

What is your motto in life? Any final words of wisdom?
Stay True. F**k what they think. BE YOURSELF. Here for a good time, not a long time. Those who mind, don't matter. Be kind. I like to interchange these little mottos depending on the day.

To learn more about Juliet Hawkins, follow the links below.
IG: @juliethawkinsofficial
JulietHawkins.Com

Juliet Hawkins - Healing Through Lyrics