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10 Questions with ... Em
June 28, 2021
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
I started recording at age 12 and writing at age 16. I’ve made several albums over the years but it wasn’t until 2019 in Woodstock where I finally got to make a solid album that I was able to call my own and have developed the way I desired.
1. When you write, which instruments do you have handy?
If I’m around people, it depends on what the song calls for. I can work with either piano or guitar but I found some songs were more piano driven or geared for guitar. When I’m by myself, however, I can write full lyrics and melody free form and bring it to a producer to arrange with me.
2. What inspires you most to write a song?
Life experience! Music is very spiritual for me, so it is whatever my spirit needs to get out and maintain clarity, strength and renewal.
3. Are there any topics that are completely off the table for you to write about?
I don’t like to divert from my nature, so you wouldn’t hear me singing about doing drugs, or having meaningless connections or using people.. I like to provide connection to the Divine, truth, love, hope and growth. I also like to stay away from politics. To me, it is too much of this world and it can get into the territory of greed and corruption and has been causing much division. I like to use music to get close in faith and have strength in your life to move forward and not let the world or people cripple you.
4. What was it like for you when “Say What You Mean” starting connecting on the radio?
A dream come true! I’ve honestly had these desires since I was a little girl. I’ve also been in situations where I thought my music would get heard, but it did not. This is an exciting time with forward momentum and a team I prayed for that supports and believes in my music to propel it in that direction.
5. “Hear Your Love” has you back on the charts. The song has echoes of a gothic romance novel—how did the inspiration for the song come about?
This was the first record off the pop album “Dear Life.” I wanted so desperately to bring back Soul music into the pop realm, and this was our interpretation of that. Deeply inspired by if communication on the physical plane is not present, the love and connection is alive in the music. Any time that song is played, or you write a song, that connection gets revived. It’s a longing and wanting that lover to feel your presence and give you the same love back that you once felt together.
6. Videos are very important to your creative process. Explain how your ideas go from being on a piece of paper to the “big screen.”
Oh yes, you got that right! With “Hear Your Love,” I had this vision of sending this letter off a balcony into the universe with no address and hoping it gets to her lover. The lyrics, “rolling down,” in the pre-chorus really inspired that. From there, I saw a castle and started to put together a mood board. I was able to develop the basic concept from the letter in the beginning to seeing her lover as this mirage in this castle and showing the love they shared together. I saw this ballroom scene of us dancing together and this music box to be the catalyst to the flashbacks of their love. Every time the music would play, the love would get revived. The 1800’s concept came from the sentiment of love with letter writing, the deep longing for your lover and the age of romanticism and music expansion that had begun in Russia during that time. (Russia is where my ancestors were from). Once you have a time and place, you can fire off on all cylinders with directions, creative props and costumes and gaining a sense of the song’s driving force. “Hear Your Love” was that longing for connection, that a song can bring her back to that frame of mind and she desires for her lover to feel the same. “Say What You Mean” hungered for connection as well, but the kind of connection where she felt respected and valued. The song will tell you…you just have to listen.
7. Which musicians, artists, songwriters have influenced you the most?
So many…Michael Jackson, Billy Joel, Carly Simon, Stevie Wonder, Kendrick Lamar, Drake, Camila Cabello. I love the music of yesterday and today. Classic Rock can fill my spirit, Gospel fills me up of course, always Soul music and I love Pop. There is so much from everywhere, but I really had to find my footing in what felt good to my ear and spirit, what I felt had healing, surreal words and melodies.
8. If you could pick one concert stage anywhere in the world to perform on, which one is it and why?
Honestly, it’s not so much about the stage--it's about the crowd, the people that are there because your music touched them and they need it. The people on stage with me when we perform just click and it's magnetic and everyone can feel it--that’s what performing is about. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve dreamed of world touring since I could talk and sing, but I also realize the value in making music that impacts. I want to perform for people that need the love and healing and came to hear that, and if it could be on an island while we do that, all the better! I just always want to remember why I was brought here and what music provided for me in times of struggle and confusion.
9. If you could pick anyone to do a duet with who would it be?
There could be so many, but honestly, until you get in the studio with someone, that’s when you know. I realized the best duets are of those who are connected to each other. That’s the way I would like it to be if I could have it that way.
10. If you could pick one other artist to cover one of your songs, who would it be and why?
Anderson Paak because he’s the melodic king. He could turn my song into another song and then several songs could come from that. He’s wonderful. I love his harmonies and cadence and style.
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