What is your name?
Emily Jean Flack
What is your genre of music?
Genre: Progressive-Folk
Give us a little bio about you.
I’m a 24 year old Canadian young woman, living in Ireland. Not sure where on the map is next! London? New York? Montreal? Paris? (I LOVE Paris!!)
I’m a singer, songwriter, musician and step dancer. I grew up playing traditional music but have always loved pushing the boundaries.
There is nothing that makes me happier than dancing around kitchen to some tunes, whether it be her majesty Ella Fitzgerald, a set of Cape Breton tunes, or a good top 40 moment. Add a G&T or glass of red and I’m in my element.
When I dawn the outside world, I will be walking and talking (to others or possibly myself), in a thrift shop, a coffee shop, singing my little heart out on stage, teaching piano, jogging – ok we’re done.
I write my music because I love creating, but really its just my way. Putting melodies, words, rhythms together in order to feel something a little deeper. Being raw. Thats what its about for me.
What made you go in to music?
My mother, being a singer and musician herself, is my greatest musical influence and large part of why I do what I do now.
Are you a signed?
Not yet!
Your released your new single ‘Throwing Shapes’ tell us more.
Throwing Shapes came out of nowhere. The phrase itself I picked up in Ireland, which in essence, means to dance. Anyone who knows me appreciates my constant need to dance whenever the moment is right (and by the way, it is usually right!!) So writing a song about this was rather fitting.
The lyrics developed from the idea that we all come from something but are making our own mark in this world now. It’s about pushing boundaries, being something new, living in the present, and being free. Dance.
Describe the track in two words.
Eclectic and Exploratory
What was the writing process like?
The idea developed over several months where I was travelling a lot both in Europe and North America.
The beat and melody then followed. I LOVE a good jig!
Then the lyrics crystallized up in Belfast in the summer.
What was the recording process like?
Like all the tracks, we demoed the song as just a piano vocal and from there began to experiment with different sounds and instruments. Layer upon layer the track became what it was – a very organic approach. Later we decided to add my own percussive dance beats to the track which was really fab. Of course, we did this on the tiled kitchen floor 🙂
What is the message you want listeners to take from the single?
Be you. Do you. Don’t forget what you come from. And love life.
Who did you work with on the single with?
The bulk of the track was developed with producer Pete Wallace. Later musicians such as Marty Barry (acoustic guitar) who co-wrote the traditional tune woven into the song, James Nash (electric guitar), Carly Harvey (bass), Matt Weir (drums and percussion) among many others joined in on the song. I can’t tell you how outrageous all the players are who worked on the music. Beyond inspiring.
Where can we buy the single from?
CD Baby, iTunes
You are also set to release a new Ep ‘Throwing Shapes’, tell us more about it.
The EP as a whole is a compilation of original songs. I think, without my knowing it at the time, the project brought together a lot of the experiences I had from moving away from home, exploring the world as an independent woman, falling in love, falling out of love, and everything in between. The style of the music thus is a mix of what I come from and what I have developed on my own — the old and the new, the traditional and the contemporary. Its dynamic. Its heartfelt. Its me.
Describe each track in two words.
Another Year Gone By: Ethereal and Longing
One Word: Joyful and Contemplative
Not Gonna Be the One: Groovy and Heartfelt
Tread Softly: Honest and … Honest
Throwing Shapes: Eclectic and Exploratory
Who did you work with on the Ep?
Produced by Pete Wallace.
Mixed by David Bottrill
Mastered by Joao Carvalho
And a crew of unbelievable musicians!!!
Do you have any shows coming up or a tour in planning?
Definitely planning to get playing the music in the next coming months both throughout Ireland and Canada. Dates to come!
I am playing a lot with renowned fiddler Shane Cook when back home in Canada for the summer!
I will be performing with Bill Whelan and Co. also featuring Seamus Flaherty and Haley Richardson at the Clifden Arts Festival 2019. This will be much the same as the performance we did in New York last November!
What else can we expect in 2019?
I can’t stop writing and so more music in the making!
Do you have any collaborations coming up with any up coming artists?
I will be continuing to collaborate with Pete Wallace.
I also will be working with Seamus Flaherty on some duo-song material.
Always love a good co-write and collaboration with different musicians and styles and so look forward to seeing what this year will bring!
Would you be up for collaborations if other musicians wanted one with you? and who would they have to contact?
Absolutely! Just message through the website or through Facebook.
Do you play any instruments?
I play piano.
Who are your influences?
How to answer this one!? I suppose we can start with family as they would be my primary influence. Then comes the traditional music scene I grew up within which greatly formed me. Alongside that though comes my love for contemporary music — pop, country, jazz and I guess anything else that simply makes me feel. I took classical piano lessons, although was a terrible student. I also was involved with my high-school choir which brought the classical back into my life which I am so grateful for now. Living in Toronto during my BA was very formative as that is where I began to take writing seriously. Later moving to Ireland, the writing and recording took off much to my own surprise. And now here I am. People and places — these are my influences.
How do you get inspiration to write songs?
I take inspiration wherever I can get it. Often times its after writing the song that I learn what I am feeling or trying to articulate. Thats what I love about writing — its a never ending road of being creatively honest.
Where do you see yourself now in 5 Years?
Making music. Touring my music. Working with new, amazing people. Hopefully a little more aware of this whole thing called love — ya, thats a lifetime pursuit. Doing what a do now but doing a lot more of it!
When you’re not doing music, what do you do?
I am exercising, cooking, shopping (I love thrift shops), in a coffee shop, at a concert, or curled up on the couch with a cup of tea #grandmotheratheart
What was the song you listened to most that influenced you to go more in to the music scene?
Oh gosh — Darrell Scott “A Crooked Road”
What’s the best advice you have ever been given?
You only will do something when you have nothing left.
You only know love when you have experienced the absence of it.
You are enough.
What advice would you give to aspiring musicians not about the industry and just as an artist?
If you’re honest, work hard, keep it about the music, and surround yourself with people who both lift you up and challenge you when necessary, good things will come.
Quite frankly, I don’t think i’m one to be giving any advice but thats my outlook at least.
What quote or saying do you always stick by?
“Let us go forth, the teller of tales, and seize whatever prey the heart long for. And have no fear. Everything exists. Everything is true. And the earth is only a little dust under your feet”. ~ W.B. Yeats
Where in your hometown is a must go to visit?
An evening boat ride in the summer on Lake Dore!
Your coming off tour;
1/ Where do you go first? My bed.
2/ Who do you see first? My parents or my girlies.
3/What do you eat first? A big hearty salad with chicken, hummus and avocado.
When you are at a gig, what are 5 things you cannot forget?
Water, Dance Shoes, Lipstick, Phone, the right bra (haha).
Do you have social media accounts so your fans can follow you?
YES! Facebook, Instagram, Twitter — Emily Jean Flack!
