Q: Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how your childhood impacted your musical direction?
A: Yeah, I’m from Houston, Texas — born and raised with music always around me. As a kid, I was deep into the universe, metaphysics, psychology… just trying to make sense of everything. It was a lot sometimes — like, my brain didn’t have an off switch.
Music became the outlet. It helped me process things I couldn’t always explain out loud. Now it’s like putting my thoughts and feelings on a canvas — trying to bring some kind of order to the chaos.
Q: Can you describe the musical style of Emsee in three words?
A: Introspective, Honest, Evolving
Q: How do you stay connected with your fans, and what role do they play in shaping your musical journey?
A: I try to stay tapped in just by being me. Whether it’s sharing a song, a thought, or just showing the process, I want it to feel real. I don’t see fans as just listeners — they’re part of the journey. The way people respond, connect, or even interpret my music ends up shaping how I grow.
It’s a two-way thing. I create from the heart, but when it reaches someone else’s, that’s when it really starts to mean something.
Q: You have just released your new album, ‘Under a Still Moon’. Is there a story behind it?
A: Yeah — Under A Still Moon is real personal. It’s inspired by my grandfather, who meant a lot to me. He used to love Fats Domino, and there’s this line in “Blueberry Hill” that always stuck with me: “The moon stood still.” That image — of everything around you moving, but the moon just watching — felt like what I was going through in life.
The album’s about that quiet space in the middle of all the noise. It’s me processing pain, purpose, growth — and trying to find calm when everything feels like it’s spinning. So yeah, it’s a tribute, but also a reflection of where I’m at.
Q: What is your favorite track from the album and why?
A: My favorite song on the album is Last. It’s not the one people bring up the most, but for me, it hits the hardest. I think it’s one of the most honest songs I’ve ever written — like, no filter, just how I really felt in that moment.
It might not be the catchiest or the most polished, but in terms of what resonates with me, it’s on another level.
And fun fact — that sound of someone taking a shot? That’s actually my homie Tommy Gun from way back. I had that audio for years, and it just felt right to include it. It adds a layer of memory to the track.
Q: Can you walk us through the creative process of producing the album, “Under a Still Moon”?
A: The creative process for this album was honestly pretty chaotic. It went through a lot of evolutions — there were issues going on at the house I was working out of, and at one point, a tornado hit and did serious damage. So I ended up having to relocate multiple times during the making of this project.
That constant movement — that instability — kind of wove itself into the album in a weirdly beautiful way. You can feel it. There’s this push and pull between stillness and change that became part of the sound.
All the beats were produced by MXNNY and we went back and forth building these tracks together while I was writing. It was a real collaborative process, even with all the chaos around us
Q: What has been the most memorable concert or performance for Emsee so far?
A: One of my favorite and definitely craziest shows I’ve done recently was opening for Paul Wall. The crowd was packed shoulder to shoulder — just wild energy all around — but what made it special wasn’t just the size.
It was sharing the stage with my people: Reno Rez, Ari Rose, KNG GST, and Sam Lopez. Being up there with my label mates — people I create with and believe in — that’s the kind of moment you don’t forget. The love and the energy we all brought to that stage made it one of my most memorable shows, hands down.
Q: Reflecting on your body of work, each song holding its unique significance, could you share a particular track that stands out to you personally? What makes that specific tune special, and why does it hold a place of pride in your musical journey?
A: Right now, I think Heavy, the final track on the album, hits me the hardest. What really makes it special is the outro — there’s a clip of my grandfather saying a prayer he used to always say before meals or celebrations.
It’s a prayer I’ve always thought was beautiful, and I felt like it needed to be shared with the world. In a way, it perfectly captures the heart of the album and everything the song stands for.
At this moment, it’s probably the most memorable song in my whole body of work. But knowing me, that might change tomorrow.
Q: Exploring the diverse creative processes within the music industry is always fascinating. Could you provide insight into your unique approach to crafting music? From the initial spark of an idea to the finished song, how do you navigate the creative journey and bring its musical concepts to life?
A: For me, it usually starts with a concept — like the idea for a project or a world I want to build. Once I have that, it stirs up a certain feeling in me, and that feeling starts to shape the sound.
From there, I chase the emotion. I try to find the tones, melodies, and words that live in that space. The fun part is letting those emotions lead the way — every song becomes its own little piece of the bigger picture. It’s not always a straight path, but that’s what makes it meaningful.
Q: As we wrap up our conversation, looking ahead, what aspirations or dreams do you have for Emsee, and what message would you like to share with your fans as they continue to accompany you on this musical journey?
A: Looking ahead, my goal is to keep evolving — to keep pushing my sound and exploring new concepts without ever repeating the same project. I want to experiment, try new melodies and ideas, but still make music that feels good to listen to.
