We recently connected with Your Friend Juniper and have shared our conversation below.
Your Friend , looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?
This is a subject I take a lot of pride in. I work extremely hard for my artist project and for my own enjoyment of life. It’s crazy that most creatives have to choose between the two. Most artists really struggle with how much money they have to spend on recording, promotional content, publishing and artist development. I made the decision very early on to learn how to do it all myself really to just save money, but it ended up being the best decision I could have made because now I can not only rely on myself, but offer the skills I have learned to other people and make money from that. I taught myself how to record, produce, mix and master audio, make promotional content and music videos, edit photos, film score, write for sync and book gigs. I feel like a Jill Of All Trades and a one stop content shop😅
I am looking for management and booking help because it can get overwhelming but being able to put out content when I need to at the quality I would like without having to wait on other people or spend everything I’ve earned is really incredible. I love creating things and love working with other people! Hard work often comes out of necessity and I now welcome challenges into my life with open arms knowing the fruit that will come from that labor.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I am originally from Austin, Texas but lived in Salem, Oregon for a good part of my growing up as well. I have always been a performer but was very focused on musical theater until I attended Berklee College of Music in Boston. It was there I began writing original songs and learning guitar. I fell in love with creating music and writing words along to it that affected people in a positive way. Music always spoke to me louder than people did. It calmed my nerves, erased my anger and pushed me to be forgiving and loving and free. Music and art have been at the heart of every major positive change this world has seen and I feel so lucky to have this talent and skill, specifically, because of the ability it has to spread light. I have a huge respect for people and communities who enact change that helps the world and the people in it and cannot wait to have an influential voice to do just that. I have a brand mantra, “YFJ(your friend juniper) your way through the day”. It means pretty much to be addicted to lifting people up and helping where help is needed. It’s the best high you’ll ever have. 🤍
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
You have to love what you do. There’s a literal fire in you that lights up when you’re engaging in something that is meant for you. It’s pretty much following your gut. Walking towards it will always bring good things and walking away from it won’t ever work out. So first, I’d say, follow that light.
Second, show up! Opportunities come because you are there to receive them. You can’t wait at home for a miracle to happen because it won’t. Have the confidence to go out and advocate for yourself and your passions. Declare what you want and do it often. I say out loud all the time that I am one day going to be really successful..manifestation baaaabbbyyy! I really do believe in it.
Third, be good and kind to yourself and others. Karma is a fact, not an option. Pursue friendships with people first. It’s not a good look or vibe to just ask people for things or only be pursuing someone because of what they might do for you. For sure put yourself forward in the rights circumstances and advocate for what you want but when it comes to other people, your only job is to support other artists that you believe in and be a good friend. Networking has it’s place when it’s mutually understood but I cannot tell you the amount of times I stopped engaging with someone because it felt like they were only after what I could get them. Be genuine always.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
Right now I am looking for a manager, booking agent and publishing. I also love writing songs with other musicians and for other musicians and am always looking to create with other people. The best way to reach me is to message me on instagram. Email is great as well: [email protected].
I would love to go on tour as an opener so if you like my sound and performance style, please reach out! I am currently living in a pretty untethered way to be able to follow opportunities as they come so wherever you are, I can be there! I am performing in Nashville up until mid October and then will be in Los Angeles for the rest of the year playing shows and working on a couple projects. Come say hello🌻
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/yourfriendjuniper
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yourfriendjuniper_/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yourfriendjuniper/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-moreland-ochoa-180160246/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCz23PNtakbDCzHQl1BEknhA
- Other: My Linktree has my artist portfolio and a link to my personal business website where you can book me for content creation : )
Image Credits
All of my photos are taken by my partner Fairhazel : )
