What is your name?
Emily Popli, although I have previously released music under my maiden name, Emily Henderson
What is your genre of music?
Soul/Pop/Country
Give us a little bio about you.
Emily Popli is a Chicago-based singer/songwriter who has been writing music for over two decades. After a 9-year hiatus from songwriting during which she got married and had two daughters, she re-entered the original music scene in 2025, finally willing to be honest about struggling with mental health and lasting trauma through marriage and parenthood. Emily’s debut album, “Lilith Fair Kid” is a vulnerable journey through depression, love, broken relationships and hope.
What made you go into music?
To me, it doesn’t really make sense to go into music unless you feel an inner pull, like you have to do it. I’ve held jobs outside of this industry, and the whole time I was either burning the candle at both ends to play gigs late at night while working during the day or slowly losing sight of myself until I eventually returned to music. Even if I lose my voice for a few days to laryngitis or something, hopelessness washes over me quickly. It’s really less that I love it, and more that I need it.
Who are your influences?
My album is called “Lilith Fair Kid” because the women of Lilith Fair were a huge influence on me. Particularly Sarah McLachlan and Sheryl Crow. I grew up listening to them during years where I was learning to sing and write songs, and I think they had a profound effect on the musician I’ve become.
Are you a signed?
I am unsigned
You released your Album ‘Lilith Fair Kid’, tell us more about the single and the meaning behind it.
“Alight” is very close to my heart. I was feeling very lonely when I wrote it, and my husband was doing what he could, but he works crazy hours as a chef. I felt I needed to express myself, but I also felt like it wasn’t totally fair that I had this outlet of songwriting, and he didn’t, so I wrote the part Matt Giraud sings to try to represent his side of things based on what he’d said to me. Ultimately I think it helped us both to get everything out on the table.
Describe each track in two words.
- The Elephant: heaviness, fighting
- Alight: heartbroken, hopeful
- Crazy Dream: nostalgia, yearning
- Nothing: clarity, severance
- Water Glass: big love
- The Guy Who Got Away: visceral trauma
- Control: pleading, broken
- Michigan: fun, (somehow also) sad
- Play: sexy, hopeful
What was the writing and recording process like?
The writing process for each individual song started and ended pretty quickly in a fit of feeling whatever emotion each track represents. The whole thing was written in the span of a few months though, otherwise that would have been a pretty insane day of feeling all those things. The recording process was fun, beautiful, cathartic, traumatic, and I wish it was never-ending. For most songs it felt good to get it off my chest, and exciting to hear back good takes with Brandon Williams’ production ideas. For The Guy Who Got Away though, for example, it meant reliving terrible memories, in front of people I hadn’t known for very long, and knowing in order for that process to end I had to perform my absolute best. I collapsed sobbing when we were done tracking vocals for that one.
Who did you work with on the album?
So, so many people, and a full list can be found on my website at www.emilypopli.com/credits but there are a handful of musicians that were absolutely crucial to the entire album. First and foremost, my producer Brandon Williams, who before, during and still after the release has been a friend, mentor and brother in addition to being a brilliant musician. Davy Tyson played piano on it, which in itself says something because as a pianist myself, I’ve never not accompanied myself on a record. He is both technically better than me and I think equally emotive and frankly I wouldn’t have even met these other musicians if it wasn’t for him. Jason Gittinger played drums on almost every song and was extremely intuitive in addition to being a lovely person to work with. Brett Lucas played electric guitar, and he actually made me cry within like 10 minutes of meeting him hearing him play on “Alight;” almost every bit of feedback I’ve received on the album but especially of that song has mentioned how lovely and soulful his playing was. Speaking of the single, Matt Giraud was my counterpart, and I’m so grateful to have had his beautiful voice on the record and silly personality in the control room- it was much needed. Rufus Ferguson played organ and keyboards and just about every time he touched the keys he had us whooping in the control room, that fellow is special. Finally, Matt Ryan played bass on every track, and I can’t decide if he’s a better human person or all-around musician, but he’s excellent at both. And possibly the best studio hangs in the country.
Do you have any live shows or a tour coming up or in planning, if so what can you tell us about it?
While we don’t have anything on the books yet, we do plan to tour in 2026, and when that happens there will be dates and ticket information available on all my socials and on my website, www.emilypopli.com
What else can we expect in 2025?
Honestly, I’m booked solid for the rest of the year at piano bar gigs in and around Chicago and Detroit. However, once this album has time to permeate a bit, the goal is to slowly shift to playing more and more original shows and to continue writing. I’m addicted to being in the studio now and I can’t wait to get back.
Where do you see yourself now in 5 Years?
I’ve already written a handful more songs and I can see plenty more on the horizon, so ideally in 5 years I’ll be in the studio working on something, having already released a few more projects in the previous 5 years.
What quote or saying do you always stick by?
“excuses are valid, but they are still excuses.” I tend to make a lot of excuses not to take care of myself, and it turns out creating music is part of taking care of myself for me.
When you are at a gig, what are 5 things you cannot forget?
I wasn’t sure if you meant physical things or just things to keep in mind, so here’s both. Physical: my own mic, deodorant, phone, lip gloss, marketing/merch stuff. Keep in mind/remember lyrics, that this might be someone’s only time seeing me ever, socialize before/after, connect with the other musicians, tip the venue staff.
Do you have social media accounts so your fans can follow you?
