Emma talks to us about her new single – ‘Don’t Fade’, her journey as a vocalist and more.
Aditya – Hey Emma, Glad to have you for the interview. How were the first couple of months of this year for you?
Emma – Hey, thanks so much I am really pleased to interview with you. This year has been wonderful. I have been working hard on my album of old and new songs, recreating a really cool vibe with live musicians and things are looking really good for the rest of the year, with shows coming up and new music material with some incredibly talented people. Very exciting things happening so far.
Aditya – ‘Don’t Fade’, your latest single sounds really soothing. What’s the creative process behind this track?
Emma – It’s really lovely isn’t it. I mean I can’t take too much credit here, the song was written & produced by the very talented Richie John Marek from the States and he asked me to put my vocals on the track. When I heard it I was mesmerized! I feel like it belongs in a movie.
Aditya – Tell us about your journey as a vocalist.
Emma – I was born into a musical family, on stage from about 6 years of age. I began my songwriting career when I was about 24 years old and have been working and collaborating ever since. I have covered many genres from Drum & Bass to dance, soul, Hip-Hop, and Reggae dub. But these were mostly collaborations and finding my way, finding my genre if you know what I mean. It’s been a beautiful journey, meeting such amazing people, some I call family now. I have learned so much along the way about myself, about the industry, and about the style of music I really ‘feel in my soul’
Aditya – What kind of a singer do you classify yourself as?
Emma – I am an Rnb-soul Singer without a doubt. As much as I am very versatile, what really grabs my attention is soulful music with real live instruments, nothing too electronic sounding. Performing Live with a band is something I have always craved. I need it. I love it.
Aditya – What’s your creative process like? How do you begin writing music? Do you pen it down?
Emma – Sometimes I just have random ideas hit me and I need to create music around it, or I find a producer or musician and we work together on something. I don’t force the process, I let it flor and I find inspiration wherever I can. If I am blank and I have nothing then that’s ok, it will come when I’m inspired enough. I tend to not write but just hit the record button and go from there. My first ideas might sound basic to me but actually, it’s a base to build on. I try not to pressure myself too much (although we can be our own worst critics) For me it is important to remain in a good frame of mind and get the best out of myself. The people I work with have a huge impact on this too, their ideas, their input and the relationship we build together are just as important in my opinion.
Aditya – What’s your band setup like?
Emma – So I have spent many years building a family of musicians, we can literally turn up and play together without even rehearsing because we vibe together, we understand each other and its a really beautiful thing. I am focused right now on some of my newer material that hasn’t yet been released and I, a pianist, violinist and percussionist are working through a handful of my songs in readiness for some shows this year. It was important I found musicians who really like my style first of all. Musicians who feel the vibe just as much as i do and who are just as excited about my project as I am. I am lucky enough to have found this so watch this space peeps!
Aditya – Which is the first instrument you ever picked up?
Emma – I play some piano but honestly not very well YET! I am working on it. My voice is my instrument and I work very hard on making sure I use it correctly.
Aditya – Who are your influences and why?
Emma – My mum was always my biggest influence. I lost her when It was 17, to suicide, she was a singer, a very powerful singer, a very powerful woman in fact. She was and has always been my idol. I admired her strength, her confidence and her vocal ability and i feel i am living on for her, and fulfilling her dreams (in my own way)
But ok musically, I have always been a huge fan of Mary J, Lauryn Hill, Alicia Keys, Jill Scott, Erykah Badu. Their style of music, their vibe…
Aditya – What are your plans for the rest of the year?
Emma – I will be showcasing my music in London to start, putting on shows and sharing more of me and my music!
Aditya – Lastly, who’s your favorite British-Singer?
Emma – If that was supposed to say, British singer…..Jessie J. She blows my mind. She is an absolute legend!
Connect with Emma, here.
