Emmaline Muchmore is a profound singer-songwriter who takes center stage in 2017. Her newest single "Solid" has been making waves throughout the beginning of the year as she proudly proves herself as an undeniable talent as both a musician and a performer. Releasing albums since 2001, Muchmore's music has notably evolved over time, as we hear a confident artist calling the shots on her own terms.So how does Muchmore want her music perceived? “As a strong, independent woman heading up a super-soul groove machine,” she says. Sounds just right. We had the pleasure of catching up with Emmaline recently, for a charming interview you can read below.
What is the inspiration behind your new single "Solid"?
I can pinpoint a very specific inspiration that led me down the path of this song — a New York Magazine photo shoot of Serena Williams.
As I was messing around with lyrical ideas for a groove I was working on, those images of her came to mind followed quickly by the words “I’m solid”. From there the lyrics evolved to evoke the experiences of strong women of all stripes who are taking charge of their narrative and their path. It came to be a powerful pep talk for me personally, and an affirmation that I needed to get back to songwriting and performing which I’ve always loved but had put on a shelf. And it turned into a fun and powerful statement for both women and men that hopefully encourages people to acknowledge and celebrate their own power.
What made you discover your passion for creating an eclectic sound of edgy Soul and Pop-Rock?
Experimenting with the capabilities of Logic Pro recording software helped me re-discover the passion and energy of songwriting that had eluded me for a while. My sound is evolving as I become more acquainted with the capabilities of the program. Most of the music I like to listen to is electronic, but I came up in bands playing keys and guitar. So when I made the leap to using Logic Pro to generate song ideas and was doing all the instrumentation myself, I found that I enjoyed combining electronic sounds with more organic sounding instruments to come up with an edgier electro pop sound.
What places in your mind do you channel to craft your songs - in particular, the songs on your new record?
The songs on my new EP Back to Right are all very reflective of where I am in my life right now -- the words and the vibe of the songs are very much about me sorting out and examining who I am in this moment in time. As I'm crafting the songs in my mind, I'm really examining and exploring themes of strength, empathy, womanhood, being true to yourself, acknowledging joy as well as loneliness, determination, and being comfortable in your own skin.
What are your favorite venues to perform at, and if you had to choose, do you feel more comfortable in the studio or onstage, and why?
My favorite venues are mid-sized clubs and outdoor festivals. In both places the crowds tend to be lively and they're there for a good time -- they're not laser-focused on you the entire time like at a small venue so you can relax into it a bit, take some chances, and enjoy the experience.
I'm very comfortable in the studio, but nothing beats performing live onstage. That's when the material really finds a life of its own, with the reactions of the crowd informing how the songs progress and the communication between band mates making every show a new adventure.
How do you write your songs? What is the process like? Does it take you days, weeks, even longer? How does the perfect Emmaline Muchmore piece come together?
I usually start with a beat and either a melody line idea or an instrument line. I'll add a few elements to fill it out, and then maybe sketch out a possible change. I'll usually do this with a few different songs at a time. Then I'll go back and forth between them and try out vocals or other sounds, keeping what I think works. When I've exhausted ideas for one I'll switch to a different one. Simultaneously I'll be jotting down lyrical ideas and working with them.
This process has been working pretty well for me -- it keeps me from getting too bogged down in one song where I can't seem to make headway. It helps to keep things moving and it keeps me enthused to press on to completion with a song.
Before using this method I had a really difficult time finishing songs -- I'd have a bunch of interesting bits here and there but no real way of making progress on any of them. Now I get set up to track in a few different songs at a time, and gradually build on them, editing and refining as I go. Sometimes a song comes together quickly over a week or two. Other times I'll stew on an idea for months before something clicks and it starts to take shape.
How did you create a sound throughout time that is so uniquely your own? What defines the Emmaline Muchmore sound to you?
Everybody has their influences, but I think it's really important to strive to have your own style, sound, approach, and vision. It's important to try to deliver something that is uniquely yours, not only to try to distinguish yourself from all the other music out there but to help clarify for yourself what your direction is as an artist.
I'm mainly a singer, and there are LOTS of singers out there. What angle can I take or what perspective can I bring that differentiates me and makes me stand out? How can I utilize my strengths while also finding a unique take on the subject matter of a song? These are some questions I ask myself during the process of writing. Ultimately I like a song that has something smart to say as well as a good groove to it. If I had to say what defines my sound, I guess my contribution to the cosmos could be called sexy, smarty-pants blues ;)
This year is already shaping up to be a huge year for you. What do you hope to accomplish in the New Year?
I'll be promoting my new EP and continuing to write new material, while hopefully connecting with more people to explore possibilities for different types of promotion as well as playing live.
