Emma Jayne
Emma Jayne’s latest single “Gallery Wall” is like watching a movie. The songwriting is brilliant. Her voice brings so much color and warmth to the record. “Gallery Wall” quickly caught my attention because of its simplicity and its honesty. I cannot wait to hear more music from her.
Thank you so much Emma for this conversation !
Go stream “Gallery Wall” now available everywhere.
Introduce yourself - what's your story?
Hi! I'm Emma Jayne, I'm a 26-year-old singer-songwriter living in Brooklyn. I've been writing and recording original music for over a decade. When I'm not making music, I work for a queer arts non-profit called The Future Perfect Project, amplifying the voices of the next generation of LGBTQIA+ artists.
"Gallery Wall" is your new single - what's the inspiration behind this song?
This song is all about long term relationship energy and how different and sometimes confusing a shift it can be from new relationship energy. I'm currently in my first relationship and have been for nearly four years. Most of my relationship knowledge comes from hetero media tropes and the couples I grew up around. I processed the ways these tropes and experiences fail to prepare us for what our relationships can look like through writing this song. Gallery Wall is also about leaning into the unknown and the uncomfortable, not running away and isolating (which I tend to do). If you've put a lot of work into anything, whether it's a relationship, an artistic endeavor, a gallery wall, don't give up the minute things start to change.
Could you describe the songwriting/production process for this song? Who helped you create it?
I guess since it's heavily inspired by my relationship, I owe some songwriting credits to my amazing girlfriend, Lauren! (Don't worry, she's getting publishing. iykyk) But really, I wrote this song on my own, in one sitting, extremely fast. I love when songs come out like that - it's almost like getting a psychic download from the universe. From there, I took it to my dear friend and producer Hannah Tobias to record. I never want anybody except her to vocal produce me again. She's the shit. And she totally captured the sitting around the campfire vibe I wanted in the production.
What's your favorite lyric on this song?
"I can’t help but notice how I’ve changed, some extra inches on my waist, am I still beautiful to her?"
What made you want to release "Gallery Wall" as a single?
I haven't released new music in a year and this is the first song I've been excited about in a while. I'm not waiting another second to share Gallery Wall with the world!
What can you tell us about the artwork?
My girlfriend took this photo of me hanging up our most recent addition to our gallery wall, a custom piece of artwork by Aliana Manteria, depicting my girlfriend and I in our bedroom. I love that Lauren took this photo and that it features our beautiful living room, a place we spend a lot of time together. I hand painted the lettering for the title and my name.
What does songwriting make you feel?
Invincible, relieved, accomplished, at one with the universe, satisfied.
Do you remember a specific time in your life where music made a huge difference?
I don't remember a time where music hasn't made a huge difference. Music has allowed me to connect with some of the most incredible people at shows, sing on TV, open for some of my idols, and it has made me a living. Most importantly, nothing feels better than having a song to show for a particularly tough time or confusing emotion. It's like your little prize for going through the bullshit. I love it!
How's it like to be a woman in the music industry? What message do you want to give to women out there?
I would actually consider myself gender queer, but I present feminine and was socialized as a woman. I want to make that distinction. But to answer your question, I will say that the music industry can be really exciting and electrifying when I get to connect with other artists who are women, especially artists who are queer women. I want women in music to know that I'm in love with all of them, and that there are extremely talented femme producers, audio engineers, mixing engineers, mastering engineers, composers, and instrumentalists that are excited to be in community with you and create with you.
What are your thoughts on today's music industry? If you could change one thing, what would it be?
I love how accessible music distribution is becoming. Independent artists can release music on their own timelines without a major label or even management. That's incredible. If I could change anything, it would be that we're not all so beholden to an ever changing algorithm to get ears and eyes on our music. Speaking for myself, I am often wrestling with what I want to post and what I think I should post. I hate that.
In your opinion, what would make the world a better place?
Funding for artists, trans healthcare, and living in less isolation as it becomes safer to do so.
What advice do you want to give to anyone going through anxiety?
Get a therapist if that is accessible to you, be kind to yourself, and remember that a painful life is still worth living.
What message do you want to give to the queer community?
The non-profit I work for, The Future Perfect Project, provides free online arts workshops for queer youth ages 12-19. Writers, musicians, podcasters, visual artists, anybody with a story to tell, should opt into our network or share it with someone who might enjoy it: http://bit.ly/fppnetwork
What biggest life lessons have you learned so far?
We're all responsible for regulating our own emotions (annoying I know) and also, the slower you cook an omelette the better it tastes. Oh, and queer youth are geniuses and we should all be listening to them!
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