A Chat with Emma Grace (21.07.24)
Navigating a life journey with singer-songwriter Emma Grace, the US-based music explores themes like self-discovery, self-worth, relationships, love, loss and all those other coming-of-age topics – each one as significant as the next. We speak with Emma Grace about her new album Changing, influences and much more.
OSR: When did you start singing?
Emma Grace: I’ve been singing for as long as I can remember, it’s always been a part of me. I started taking it seriously though with voice and songwriting lessons at the age of 13.
OSR: Was there a particular song that inspired you to try songwriting?
Emma Grace: I think music in general inspired me to go down this path. I feel that most people listen to the words in songs but I can’t help but listen to every little detail in the instruments being played. You can individually hear how every instrument makes the song whole and it gives me a feeling of peace. So my goal was for everyone who listens to my music to feel peace.
OSR: On your album, Changing, the songs deal with some heavy themes of loss and not knowing your place. They also have a confessional feel to them. When writing these songs did you draw on personal experience, or did they have another source of inspiration?
Emma Grace: Changing was definitely one of my more personal songs. It tells the story of being scared of not knowing what the future holds. But as you continue to grow on your journey you realize although you had and will continue to have obstacles, everything is going to be okay in the end. I want everyone to know that it gets better, that doesn’t mean it’s easy but it will all be worth it in the end. And that’s the main message I was trying to tell with this song.
OSR: Did you play any of the instruments on your album Changing?
Emma Grace: Yes, piano and ukulele.
OSR: The song ‘Stupid’ has a great pop feel to it, but it is the only song on the album that has that kind of vibe. What led you to arrange that song differently from all the others?
Emma Grace: I wrote ‘Stupid’ when I was 16 years old (I’m now 19). At that time I was just a teenage girl writing songs in my room for fun about my personal experiences or others that anyone can relate towards. From the moment I found the guitar chords, I heard and felt it was going to be an upbeat song (the music never lies). I never would’ve thought that that song, or any song of mine would be recorded, produced and put on an album. But it truly has been a dream come true.
OSR: Changing has a spare and meditative feel to it. Did you exclude more upbeat songs like ‘Stupid’ in favour of creating something gentle and introspective?
Emma Grace: I didn’t really have a set plan or pattern to the album or the intensity of the songs. I kind of just went with the flow and wrote what I felt. I do plan on making more songs similar to ‘Stupid’ in the future though. It was very fun to make.
OSR: What was the process like for you of choosing which songs get included in the album and which get left off?
Emma Grace: With the amount of time I take to perfect my lyrics and melodies, it was quite easy to know which songs were going on the album Changing. With my writing process on this album, I feel like because of how personal each song is, there was no argument for what songs were going on.
OSR: Your song ‘Til the End’ has a beautiful vocal harmony part. Can you tell us what goes into how you make arranging choices like choosing to include a harmony part on one song but not on another?
Emma Grace: ‘Til the End’ Is the most personal song on the album. It’s about my best friend, my inspiration, my grandmother. For me when I’m that deep into a song emotionally, the harmonies and extra vocal patterns come naturally. It’s almost like you are the song, and you’re just doing what feels right.
OSR: Who are some of your inspirations for songwriting? What about singing?
Emma Grace: My biggest inspiration forever has been Billie Eilish. Her voice, her lyrics, her style, it’s all mesmerizing to hear. She truly never disappoints and I hope to do what she does one day.
OSR: Your Instagram has a lot of stories with Christian themes. Do you draw artistic inspiration from Christianity?
Emma Grace: Christianity has always been a part of my life, even the times I felt furthest from God I never lost faith. He is the reason I am here and the reason I am doing what I am. I thank him every day for this life he has given me. And hopefully, in the future, I can put more work into my worship songs for a worship album.
OSR: Do you have any plans to tour in support of this album?
Emma Grace: To tour is one of my biggest dreams. There is nothing I want to do more than to perform in front of a huge crowd. I always loved singing the national anthem in front of everyone at my high school games. And seeing everyone with a smile on their face, I can’t help but have a bigger one on mine.
Many thanks to Emma Grace for speaking with us. Find out more about Emma Grace on her Facebook, Instagram and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
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