Photo Credit: David Myers

I was recently introduced to Emma Webb with the release of her track “90s Playlist.” With this introduction I wanted to know more about the emerging artist. Emma presents a bold, joyful sound that draws you in and provides a soothing cool to your day, it was this that made me want to know more.

Join me as we go Beyond The Music with Emma Webb!

Where are you from?

Hi! I’m originally from Bexhill.On.Sea in East Sussex, UK but I now live in Bristol, UK.

When did you first fall in love with music?

Emma Webb by: David Myers

I’ve always loved music and have been singing away! My mum noticed how much I loved it from such a young age and I started singing lessons and attending East Sussex School of Performing Arts from the age of 7! I did my classical singing grades all the way to Grade 8, got a Musical Theatre Diploma, GCSE Music, A Level Music and then a BA Hons in Music at University, plus a ton of musical experiences along the way! I’ve since been a singing/music teacher and musician for my job. It’s always been about music for me!

How long have you been in the industry?

Well I’ve been a musician for years but I first released my original music in July 2020, so really recently. After my third release doing it totally independently the lovely Mark from Blinding Talent approached me and 90s Playlist is my first single since working on my Artists Development with him in a more professional way. So it’s all very new!

Can you tell us about your latest release and the background/inspirations behind it?

It’s called 90s Playlist. It revolves around two friends and my relationship with one of them through the years. The main memory that I sing about in the chorus is our road trip when we went on holiday, and we listened to 90s music all the way, singing out and laughing and just having a fab time together! I really cherish my friends and felt inspired to write about them!

What do you think of the state of the industry in 2021?

Ooh that is an interesting question! I think the music industry is very different due to two things, social media and covid. I think for a while now the internet has changed the way the industry works both positively and negatively, but I think it’s not centrally about the music anymore. With Covid, and no live gigs, it feels very much online at the moment, which is a shame but us musicians will get on it with the live stuff when it is safe to do so. At the end of the day the music industry is a business, and businesses have to revolve around profits. With money comes greed, and usually the smaller independent people are the ones to lose out. With spotify royalties being virtually nothing and social media influencers with fans now becoming viable music acts, it all seems a little flawed at the moment.

Who do you think is the most influential artist at this time and why?

Well, I live in the past with the stuff I listen to regularly. I can say the Artists that are currently releasing music that I really like but I’m not sure about influential. I think Harry Styles has done incredibly well coming out of One Direction and producing a damn good album. I adore Sigrid, I think her song writing is amazing. I’ll always have a soft spot for Katy Perry and Taylor Swift is clever with her releases and genre switch-ups. Ed Sheeran should probably be mentioned too, his stuff but also his contribution to others with his song writing.

If you could Collab with ANY Artist, Dead or Alive, who would it be and why?

Oh my god, I don’t think I could pick just one!! I’ll pick one person alive and one person dead, cheating I know haha!

Paul Simon immediately comes to mind for me, I could harmonise over his Graceland album with him! I adored Eva Cassidy when I was younger and sang a lot of her stuff, singing with her would have been hauntingly beautiful.

How do you think you differ from others in your genre?

I think my lyrics are from a really honest place, coming from real people and real experiences. Lots of people write about sex and romance, but I’ve have always been really interested in the idea of unconditional love. I think writing about relationships that you have over many years with family and friends (that become like family) are so much more interesting and layered and important than writing about sex and lust and romance. They are absolutely my priority, even my partner was a really good friend before things became romantic. I think there’s something so precious about friends and family, that we can so often take for granted. So, I feel compelled to write about it.

Emma Webb by: David Myers

Take us back to young Emma. What was the first album you purchased?

I could be completely wrong here because young Emma was a while ago haha! But, I believe it was Stop by The Spice Girls on tape. Fab song and the tape was pink, so it was a winner all round! And don’t ask me what the other song on the tape was because I honestly cannot remember!

What’s your favorite song at the moment?

Well, I just recently did a little singing session with my choirs (I am a choir leader for my main job) doing a warm up of Linger by The Cranberries. So, at the moment that’s fresh in my mind, and it’s my alarm too! Beautiful song, in my top ten favourite songs of all time I reckon!

What is your favorite saying or Mantra?

I always say this. ‘Everyone’s purpose in life is to be happy (whether we realise it or not). But happiness means something different to each of us. So, all we need to do is respect one another’s different journeys to happiness.’

I also always think about that first impression I give someone when I meet them; is it fair? Is it kind? Is it without prejudice? And if it isn’t one of those things, then I consciously have a word with myself, and correct my thought process and/or actions.

What other hobbies or interests do you have?

I love animals, particularly rescue animals (adopt don’t shop!) I have two rescue cats and grew up with rescue dogs; when you earn their trust, it is the most amazing thing ever!

I also love food, and I love to read. My perfect evening (at the moment anyway, being in lockdown haha!) would be binge watching something on TV with my partner and my cats, with a takeaway and then my man can get on his playstation for a bit so I can cuddle up with a book!

Tell us what the fans can expect from you in the coming months?

A release every month for a few months, and then we’ll see what the situation is with live gigs, hopefully a few if safe to do so! And then we’ll see where it all takes me…

Yep! I told you all she was awesome. Thank you so much Emma for allowing us to get to know you Beyond The Music!

Follow Emma Webb

Instagram / Twitter / Facebook

Emma Webb by: David Myers