Emma Kelly
Interview conducted September 07, 2021
By Dan Locke
Emma Kelly makes bold powerful pop music that balances precariously on the verge of euphoria, sorrow and empowerment.
You are from London. What is your upbringing?
I grew up in a small village in Surrey so not far from London with my mum and dad and older brother. I had a pretty what I’d say normal upbringing, my parents always let me be who I wanted and always encouraged me to try everything but I always gravitated to music.
Do people ask you if you are related to the Emma Kelly who was known as the Lady of 6,000 songs?
I can’t lie I did just have to google who that was and I haven’t been asked if we’re related, sure she was fantastic though.
How did you discover music?
From as early as I can remember music has always been around me, both my parents are big lovers of music in completely different ways. My dad was into heavier stuff like Queen, Pet shop boys, Scissor Sisters whereas my mum grew up in the theatre arts so was always listening to musical soundtracks. As a kid, I’d always get dressed up and pretend to hold a microphone whilst singing along so it was always a matter of time before I took it seriously.
How did you start to write music?
Since around the age of 7/8, I would write in a diary and I always loved writing stories/poems. Obviously, at that age, they weren’t very good but when I got to around 15, I started to write more lyrics-based ideas whilst also coming up with melodies. From that point, I realized I loved the aspect of songwriting alongside singing.
Describe your music.
I’d say it’s quite dreaming pop. My lyrics tend to be a very story-like and sometimes can come across as sad but there are many elements behind each lyric which I like to keep as quite ambiguous. I think one of my favorite things about being in this career is when people tell me what their understanding/relation to my song is because I want people to interpret it in their own way.
What was your first performance like?
I’ve definitely learned a lot since my first performance. I still get nervous but I am so much more confident and communicative with the audience. It was so much fun and clarification that I knew that I loved what I was doing.
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Do you belong to any to songwriters’ organizations like SESAC, BMI or ASCAP?
Yes, I am part of PRS which is the organization for the UK.
What makes a good songwriter?
I don’t think there’s anything specific that makes a good songwriter. Everyone writes in a different way which works for them. I would say confidence is key as if you don’t back what you’ve written nobody else will.
What was the title of your first original song? Did you record it?
I think the first song I properly finished was my one called ‘Doubt’, I never properly recorded it but I’ve still got a voice memo of it on my phone. The first one I recorded was called ‘Guide the Blind’ but that’s very much hidden in my hard drive.
Earlier in the year, you released “The Thought”. Tell me about the backstory of the video?
I knew I wanted to make a video but it was also during a point in the pandemic where we were allowed to do things for work but restrictions were still problem creativity-wise. I’m very lucky to have my best friend who is an impeccably talented dancer/creative so we brainstormed some ideas as to how we could make as good as video as possible considering what was happening. We wanted to present the idea of what happens inside of your brain, those thoughts you have but do not share. The song is about the fight you have where you want something but it isn’t necessarily good for you and we tried to present that through dance. You might be lonely but you’re not alone.
How different was the making of the video from your first “Running Wild”?
When filming Running Wild there was a whole team of at points about 15 people, we also had all the highest of tech compared to when filming The Thought, we just used an iPhone so there was definitely a huge difference production wise but both were enjoyable in their own ways.
What is the process of writing your music?
Recently, the writing process has started on zoom. We usually chat for a little bit and talk through any ideas/new life situations that could turn into a bop. At that point, a beat is started to get created whilst we’re all also throwing lyrics ideas about. Once the demo is written we’ll then go into the studio to add all the layers and niche bits. Sometimes the song changes a fair bit from demo to the finished product but I think that’s what makes the process so much fun.
Tell me about your latest single “Loving You”, which comes out on Sept. 10th?
I based the song around a few situations, it is about those unhealthy addictions we all have whether in a relationship/friendship, and how you constantly gravitate towards it. It’s like the situation/person is a red button, everyone is telling you not to go near it/press but there’s that bit inside of you that has to do it regardless.
What are you’re feeling about streaming music?
I like streaming music when it comes to being a consumer as it’s easy to access, I can listen wherever/whenever. However, in regards to being an artist, it’s not good especially in comparison to the days of physical copies when they were so popular. I think if the industry can push through the necessary changes, then things can improve it is just whether the big organizations want to give what artists deserve.
Digital vs. vinyl?
Vinyl all the way. That’s what I listened to mostly as a kid and now I am really trying to build my own collection nothing beats the crackle of vinyl as the music plays.
Tell me about your Hot Vox concert with Sanchi, Elavins, and Emma Withers which happen on March 14th?
That was my last gig before the UK went into lockdown as week later so it was rather surreal. A few of the acts pulled out due to being sick so the full lineup wasn’t there. I am so happy I got to play because little did, I know I wouldn’t then be able to get back on the stage for months.
What song from the past is in your mind right now? Moreover, what is the meaning that song means to you?
I recently watched for the millionth time one of my favourite childhood films ‘The Parent Trap’ and I will always love/ have it stuck in my head the song ‘L.O.V.E’ by Nat King Cole. The song always represents the start of something I love to watch and it is such a feel-good song.
If “Video Killed the Radio Star” do you think that the Covid-19 virus has killed live music? Do you feel the Covid-19 virus going to affect the music business in the future?
I think as an industry we can rebuild, music in my opinion is such a necessary form of enjoyment. Recently, festivals have been happening here and just seeing the happiness on people’s faces just being able to listen to music again with no restrictions is a euphoric feeling. I do think that the live scene has been affected, the government showed no care behind trying to assist small venues so it has definitely taken a big knock with some venues having to close which is so sad to see. However, I am optimistic that in time we can rebuild back to normal.
Do you think that Covid-19 has been a plus to an artist career?
As an independent artist personally no, I don’t think so. I think everyone took a knock but well-established artists with huge labels were still able to put out high quality products.
What have you been doing with your self-quarantine?
I did a lot of cooking/walking and trying not to go insane. I also spent a lot of time doing zoom quizzes with friends which as much as I love them, I do not want to revisit.
How do you stay healthy during the lockdown?
I’ve always been super active as I find it helps with my anxiety so when lockdown started, I just had to adapt from going to the gym to online home workouts/road running.
Have you discovered or rediscovered any new hobbies?
I definitely developed my cooking skills, I always enjoyed cooking as a hobby but now I had a lot more time to play around with different cuisines. I also tried painting for a bit but gave up on that quite quickly.
Recently the virus has come back with the Delta outbreak, which as cause many people in the industry to worry about the future of live music.
How would you like live shows to be held and still keep you and fans safe?
I think that is a difficult one, in the UK we got the delta variant when the amount of vaccinated people was still quite low whereas now most people are vaccinated and were so when the live scene started up properly again. I think keeping the proof of testing/ vaccination is something good to keep as everyone is still in different places in to how they feel about the virus in social situations.
Is pay to play still a thing? Now pay to play also means thinks like playlist on the internet and opening slots for a major band on tour.
I personally have never involved myself in pay to play because as when you first start out you are already doing so much ‘play for exposure’. It’s a shame that certain companies feel OK with literally charging talented people to play but I guess that’s their lack of conscious. I think if you have a talent you deserve to be paid for your service.
What about Holographic concerts in our living room?
I haven’t seen/heard much about this currently but I am intrigued as to how it would play out but then technology constantly surprises me.
In the past if a musician stops doing music, they find a new career. For example, David Lee Roth from Van Halen became a licensed EMT in NY for 6 years, San Spitz (guitarist for Anthrax) became a master watchmaker, Dee Snider (Twister Sister) voice over work for SpongeBob SquarePants. If you can’t do music, what would you like to be doing?
I’d love to be an actress which I think at some point in my life I would never rule out going into or I would love to be a chef.
What is your happy place?
I think I have a couple; one would be at my godparent’s house in Switzerland, they overlook the most incredible view of Lake Geneva and I always feel at most peace when I am there. I also am lucky to have the most incredible group of friends/family so I am always happiest with them.
