Q: Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how your childhood impacted your musical direction?
A: I was born in Sicily, my parents are both high school teachers, they are not musicians or artists but they have always been huge listeners, there was always music in the house. My mum loves Queen and my dad introduced me to Pink Floyd when I was 12, that was definitely a turning point for me.
Q: How are you planning on growing your fan base and sharing your music with the world? What message do you have for anyone who is about to discover “Emanuela”?
A: definitely social media is a great tool nowadays to reach a lot of people on a global scale, but I also aim to bring my live shows outside of London during 2024. I want to send a positive message to the people who will discover my music, I want people to feel comforted and understood when they listen to my songs.
Q: Who is the most inspiring artist for you right now? And where do you find inspiration for making music?
A: I think Taylor Swift is such an inspiration especially for young female artists and musicians like me. Not only is she an incredible singer and lyricist but she is also a smart business woman and she is her own boss. She is absolutely amazing.
My inspiration comes really from anything that touches my heart: i write about human connections, stories, feelings. Not only about myself but also about what people who are close to me go through and usually, when they vent to me about something, it ends up in a song.
Q: Can you tell us about the story or message behind the song, “Boy Like You.”?
A: How do I begin to explain “Boy Like You”? It’s the story of someone who I made the centre of my thoughts so much that I lost sight of my own self for a while. And that is never worth it, for anyone. “Boy Like You” is about how people you think you know can reveal themselves for what they are and really ruin a good thing for the sake of it. The ultimate message is that, when someone like that hurts you, the best revenge is always indifference.
Q: How would you describe your sound in one word for potential listeners?
A: empowering
Q: Did you face any challenges while writing or recording “Boy Like You”?
A: Actually “Boy Like You” came to me in a very natural way… because I was furious. It’s a rage baby, hence the writing process was quite quick, words and music were flowing at the same pace. The main challenge I faced was probably during the production process: there was something missing, I felt the piece was lacking that special peculiarity to make it perfect. And then I heard it in my head: I wanted trumpets in the bridge, to make it big and bright, to reach the climax of the song; we brought into the studio Matt Tarrant, a phenomenal brass instrumentalist who graduated last year from the university I go to, ICMP. I discussed with him what I had in mind for the trumpet arrangement and just like that, after just 15 minutes of recording, Boy Like You was finally shining in its all entirety!
Q: What is the message of your music? And what are your goals as an artist?
A: Ultimately, I want my music to uplift others and to tell the listener “hey, I’ve been through that too, you’re not alone in this.” I want to make people feel like my favorite songs make me feel.
Q: Who is your dream artist to collaborate with? (dead or alive)
A: If only it was possible, I would love to collaborate with Amy Winehouse. Sometimes I wonder how the music industry would look like if she was still here with us.
Q: What is your advice for people interested in pursuing music as a career or for those trying to enter the industry?
A: Never stop being true to yourself. It sounds cheesy but it’s true: people still love what’s real, they love to perceive emotions, feelings. They want to be listened. And also, never stop trying! A “no” is just a “no”. If you knock at thousands of doors there’s the chance that at least one will open for you.
Q: If you could go back in time and give a younger you some words of wisdom, what would they be?
A: Hold on tight because in a few years you’ll move to London to do what you like the most. Mom and Dad really do love you unconditionally. Calories aren’t what matters in life.
