Emily Cole- Emily Cole resides in Montgomery, TX, a small town just NW of Houston, TX. At the age of 12, Emily attended her first songwriter’s camp. Emily already knew she loved to write, but the camp gave her a new love of writing music. It also made stronger her love of singing and Emily realized she wanted to be an artist. She hasn’t looked back since.
Interview conducted Jan. 25, 2021
By Dan Locke
Emily Cole is now a multi-award-winning alternative pop singer/songwriter with music out on all platforms, including AMI Jukeboxes and NSM Music Jukeboxes located worldwide. Emily has been awarded Pop/Contemporary Vocalist of The Year 2019 by the Josie Music Awards; acknowledged as a Songwriter, performing for the Muscle Shoals Songwriters Festival in Alabama; and acknowledged as an Emerging Artist, performing 3 Showcases for the Mesa Music Festival, Arizona’s premier emerging artist festival.
What is your upbringing?
Growing up, Mom would always have music on, at home, and in the car. During elementary grades, I loved the school plays where we had lots of music, and I loved it when I’d get a singing part. I used to come home and sit at our piano that was handed down from my great Grandma and play the music we’d be practicing in the school plays. This took my parents by surprise, and they put me in piano lessons. Long story short, I wasn’t a fan of “lessons,” and that didn’t last long – who wants to play the same song over and over and over, right. And, they weren’t songs I would have chosen to play. Because we always had music playing in the house, my brother and I would dress up and stand in the living room with our play microphones and act like we were the ones singing and playing the music. Like a lot of kids our age, my brother and I played several different sports, through the YMCA. This kept us active and we could experience each sport and decide what we liked. I loved volleyball and stuck with that for a while, but I still would sing as often as I could. In 6th grade, my friends would talk their teachers into letting me go in and sing in front of the class. Instead of jogging around the track that surrounded our playground, my friends and I would walk and sing. Sometimes, the other kids would tell us to stop. But, we didn’t. While in 6th grade, I heard about a music camp that was going to take place during the summer. I attended the camp, and that’s where I discovered I could do more with music than just sing. I spent a week at the camp, worked with songwriting mentors, and I wrote my first song. At the end of the week, we got to perform it for an audience (all our families and friends). I’ll always remember that performance. During the week, we all would gather at the Dosey Doe Big Barn in The Woodlands, TX, so we could learn to write. At the end of the week, that’s where we performed. Needless to say, I started out being spoiled with this venue. Dosey Doe has big names come through for performances and is usually a sold-out venue.
How did you start to write music?
Ever since I can remember (and my parents tell me this too), and as soon as I could actually write, I would take pieces of paper and staple them together to where it looked like a little book. I’d make up stories and songs and write that all down. It’s funny because my mom says my brother went to her and said something about my stories not really making a lot of sense. He said they’re not really stories. She made light of it and told him I was having fun and it was good to just let me keep expressing myself. But I have to say that my very first “real song” was in that songwriting camp. I’ve been hooked ever since.
Describe your music.
I like to think my music/production style is like a combination of Billie Eilish, Selena Gomez, Taylor Swift, and Mothica mixed with some EDM sounding effects! So basically, if I had to put a label on my music, “alt. pop” is what I’d call it.
How did you get your first guitar, and do you still have it?
I remember being at one of my brother’s golf tournaments in late 2012 after I took the first songwriting camp, and I told my parents that I needed a guitar to learn how to play like everyone else did. So, I got on my mom’s computer, and she let me order this plastic, purple, $25 guitar off of eBay… which I eventually decorated with a neon green One Direction sticker… I for sure still have it!!! It’ll always hold a special place in my heart.
What is your guitar of choice now? Year, make and model? And, does it have a name?
I use either my “ol’ reliable” Epiphone J-200, or my Lava Me 2 guitar that I just ordered about a year ago!
How often do you play Ukulele?
Pretty much at every gig I play! My ukulele is one of my favorite things to incorporate into my shows, especially since I like to completely flip songs and make them my own on it.
What was the first song you learned to play on the ukulele?
“I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz!
What was your first performance like?
I’ll have to refer to the camp again. At the end of that camp was when I first performed my real full song. I felt really nervous, but I was excited to be doing it. The mentors at the camp really complimented us on our writing and they were very encouraging, so this made it easier. It was really special because I hadn’t seen my cousin in a long time and she had just moved back to our area. That’s what prompted me to write that song. My cousin was at the show that night, so yeah…we all may or may not have cried a little.
What was it like to sing the National Anthem?
It’s always such an honor and so cool!
What makes a good songwriter?
Honestly, it’s really hard to put into words, because there aren’t really any set-in-stone rules to it. I think just being authentic and singing the lyrics from a place of real emotion is what’s most important.
What is the process of writing your music?
When I was first starting out – up until a few months ago even – I would always sit down on my bed with my guitar and just start playing some chords, while writing down words or phrases that come to mind. It’s always been an intuitive thing for me. Lately, I’ve started learning how to produce my own music, so it’s definitely spiced things up a bit when it comes to how I write my songs!
Do you belong to any to songwriters’ organizations like the International singer-songwriter association, SESAC, BMI or ASCAP?
I register all of my music with ASCAP (and, of course, it’s all sent to copyright)!
What was the title of your first original song? Did you record it?
In Your Life. The camp that I went to would record a demo of each of our songs, so I have to have it somewhere!
How was it to perform at the 26th Annual Cutting Edge CE Music Conference?
Oh gosh! I love New Orleans. It was super awesome. The venue was small, but everyone there was great listeners, and it was exciting to see people really wanting to hear original music.
What was High School Nation’s tour?
High School Nation is a tour that goes around to different high schools throughout each semester, and they put on this “mini-Coachella” for all of the students. It’s always so much fun and I love meeting everyone! I also got to tour with their Hollister/Do Something Cancel Bullying tour.
How were the Josie Music Awards?
SO COOL!!! It was my very first official red-carpet event, so everyone was dressed super nice and the atmosphere was amazing. I wore this rainbow tulle dress with some holographic pink platform boots – it was a look. I ended up taking home the award for “Pop Vocalist of the Year” in 2019!
Tell me about the making of your EP “3Am”?
For years, I’ve been wanting to release an EP or album with a Halloween-ish vibe to it. It’s been a dream of mine for a long time. I guess I subconsciously wrote a handful of songs that had this vibe, and when I was picking songs to put on the EP it just fell into place!
Why did you name it that?
Mainly because I sing a line in “Hex Our Exes” that has “3 A.M.” in it, but I’ve also heard/known that it’s a spooky time of night!!!
Tell me about your release “Ain’t My Vibe”?
The lyrics to “Ain’t My Vibe” are pretty self-explanatory- it’s about how my friends and I are tired of dudes viewing us as either objects or less than them! It honestly gets old really fast. Like, we’re just trying to live our lives, but not waste time with people who in the end don’t care about anything more than just getting with you, you know?
What was your life like while you were creating “Karma”?
“Karma” came from an experience where a few friends I had actually ended up being super fake. The song was for sure an emotional release of built-up feelings. It was my last little “lol, I’m so done with y’all” moment before I was able to fully emotionally heal from what happened if that makes sense.
What is your favorite track on the album?
My favorite track is probably “Haunting” because it’s not really like any of the other songs when it comes to production. I guess you could say I just vibe with it the most!
How do you stay healthy while performing?
I’m honestly really bad at this, I drive to Dunkin Donuts like twice a week and really despise working out. Mom, if you’re reading this, I promise I’ll start doing better asap. Like, tomorrow. 🤣👌 Everyone in my family works out pretty much every day of the week, just to try and stay fairly healthy. I know I need to do this.
What are you’re feeling about streaming music?
I love streaming!!! There are endless possibilities, and you don’t have to worry about going broke just for wanting to listen to all kinds of music.
How can people forget about the origin hashtag # Sharp in a musical score?
It’s honestly taken me literally years to even grasp the concept of technical terms- I’m just now starting to understand what a # means when it comes to music, thanks to the production course I’m taking!
Digital vs. vinyl?
Both! Nothing beats a classic vinyl, but digital is so much more convenient and easier to listen to.
What song from the past is in your mind right now? Moreover, what is the meaning that song means to you?
I constantly have 10 different songs going through my head at the same time, ranging from meme songs off of TikTok to Dreams by Fleetwood Mac. Right now, “Drivers License” by Olivia Rodrigo is stuck in my head, mainly because it’s all over TikTok and I’m trying to learn the song at the moment!
Both Pfizer and BioNTech have conclude Phase 3 Study of the Coronavirus vaccine. With the vaccine, it takes two shots. How many people do you think will take it and how many will forget to take the second shot?
Gosh, I really don’t know. At first, we were hearing how sick the 1st shot would make us. I think if that actually happens, then some would not want to take the 2nd shot. BUT I know people who have taken the 1st shot and have been fine. So, I think lots are waiting to hear from others. If the majority isn’t getting really that sick from the 1st shot, then no issue with going for the 2nd shot. Regardless, if the shots work, it’s much better than some of the alternatives I know about personally and others I have heard about.
How long before the whole world will be vaccinating against the virus. You have to remember there only has to be a 70% for Herd immunity (Herd immunity occurs when a large portion of a community (the herd) becomes immune to a disease, making the spread of disease from person to person unlikely. As a result, the whole community becomes protected — not just those who are immune.)
I really wouldn’t be able to say. I think there are still so many unknowns.
Do you feel the Covid-19 virus is going to affect the music business in the future?
I’m hoping things will get back to normal, maybe that’s just me being optimistic. I try not to speculate too much.
What have you been doing with your self-quarantine?
Gaming, producing, writing, meme-ing (is that even a word? … idk but it is now), driving around- just enjoying being a 20-year-old who happens to be an artist at the same time.
Have you discovered or rediscovered any new hobbies?
I was into painting for a bit during the summer – my friend, Alexa, introduced me to it. I really need to get back into this, so thank you for reminding me!
95% of people said that they have changed the way they watch television. This includes people who don’t have television and using their computers to do streaming of programs and movies. Which is your favorite streaming channel?
I’ve definitely started watching TV a lot less after I got out of the public school system and started into a homeschooling program in my 7th grade year. It changed my timing of things during my days and offered me a lot more time to do music, so I naturally watched less TV, because I was loving making music. When I was little, I used to watch SpongeBob every single morning before school. Now, I just stick to YouTube and Gaia (basically Netflix for people who are into documentaries, science, quantum physics, the way The Universe works, etc.) because there’s so much to learn!
Many artists are doing nightly concerts over either YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. In October that is going to change at least on Facebook. Facebook is cracking down on livestreamed shows that include recorded music with new terms of service, preventing artists from using the platform for “commercial or non-personal” purposes, unless they have obtained the relevant licenses.
The updated music guidelines state that users “may not use videos on our products [which include Instagram] to create a music listening experience […] This will includes [Facebook] Live,” and stipulates that such content should be posted for the enjoyment of friends and family only.
How do you think this will change the landscape of Facebook?
I’m not sure about all of that. I know there is a lot going around on FB about this, but I, for the most part, scroll by this. From what I’m seeing and doing, not much has changed; at least it hasn’t for me, that is. I’ve been able to live stream and play originals and covers, and I’ve been able to share them to my YouTube.
How can bands keep their fans if they cannot play live in front of the fans and sell merch to them at the show?
Engage on social media and be as personable as possible!
Is pay to play still a thing? Now pay to play also means thinks like playlist on the internet and opening slots for a major band on tour.
Every once in a while, it is, yes. It really just depends on the opportunity as to whether it’s worth it.
What about Holographic concerts in our living room?
All I know is that Elon Musk would probably say this is what the future is most likely going to be like. Definitely doesn’t beat in person, but still pretty cool to think about!
If you can’t do music, what would you like to be doing?
Well, I’m interested in a lot of different things that a lot of people would (I guess) say are “quirky” or “different” … if I had no choice, I’d either want to work at a local metaphysical shop or maybe even study psychology for a bit.
What is your happy place?
My room, because I constantly like to be surrounded by a lot of things that make me happy!
Anything you would like to say in closing.
I really want to say that I appreciate you and everyone out there willing to support independent artists like myself. Because you share for us, we can hopefully reach more people with our music (even if it’s just one more person). As songwriters, we hope that our songs can be relatable and even can help others in some way. It helps to have some way of getting our music out there to others that we can’t necessarily reach ourselves. What happens when others share for us. So, thank you!
