Being one of the biggest Trance vocalists is certainly a big deal. But Emma Hewitt handles all of that with a certain panache. The Australian singer and songwriter has collaborated with some of the biggest names in Trance music, including Armin van Buuren, Dash Berlin, Cosmic Gate, Gareth Emery amongst others. Not only that, she had a rock band of her own named ‘Missing Hours‘, and also released her own debut album ‘Burn The Sky Down‘ in 2012.
Now she’s all set to perform at Sunburn, Goa on the 28th of December, and we had the pleasure of interviewing the phenomenal vocalist. Read on!
TBB: You were lead singer for a band called Missing Hours, what prompted the shift to electronic music?
Emma: The shift to electronic music was kind of a natural progression for me. It was not something I had expected a few years earlier at all. We were signed to Sony in Australia with the band, and had been pushing this project for a long time. I had every intention that this band was my path. When I first worked with Chris Lake, and we wrote “Carry Me Away” I really enjoyed the experience, and I did feel this music had something special and perhaps suited my voice in a way I had never imagined, but to me this was still unknown territory and something I assumed would be a one off.
Soon after I wrote “Not Enough Time” with Cosmic Gate, and then “Waiting” with Dash Berlin. I then became quite aware that this music was most definitely my path, and the style that suited my voice and music a lot more than rock music did. I then decided to leave Sony and explore the world of electronic music with everything I had, and make it my future.
TBB: How’s the journey been so far since “Carry Me Away”?
Emma: As with everything in life I believe when something is meant to be the doors will open at the right time. And this has been the case for me since “Carry Me Away” was released. I had to work very hard and write the songs I needed to write and push myself in the direction I wanted to go. But the road has been much more smooth than my previous career in rock music was for ten years, where I would often come across blocks that would cause set backs. The journey has felt like a natural evolution, and each piece of information I have learned or gathered has led me to the next collaboration.
TBB: Who, in your opinion, is your favourite producer to collaborate with?
Emma: So far I have loved collaborating with Armin van Buuren, Cosmic Gate and Dash Berlin of course. But looking forward to the future there are a lot of young up and coming producers who are making amazing music, and who are really inspired and hungry to do something different and make their mark. These are the people I am really excited and honoured to be working with right now
TBB: Who is the most intimidating producer you’ve ever collaborated with?
Emma: I would say Armin van Buuren, only because I was well aware of his status so he did make me a little nervous.
TBB: Which song of yours holds that extra special place in your life?
Emma: “Colours” is a song from my album which was written about the passing of the passage of time, and how nothing is permanent, and perhaps the most beautiful moments are the simple moments that we barely even notice at the time, but in the end they hold the most power. This song was written at the time of my grandfather passing. This made me question what it is we all think about and remember of our lives in those last fleeting moments. And I was convinced that these small, poignant, simple minutes will most certainly be the ones we hold on to.
TBB: Can we expect more acoustic EP’s like “Starting Fires”?
Emma: I come from a background of acoustic music, and all of the songs are written on an acoustic guitar or piano. So most definitely there will be more releases done this way. I am looking to do a tour in this format down the track too. Incorporating a few more live acoustic and orchestral instruments. I think music possibly sounds the most affecting when played this way.
TBB: You were in India last year as well along with Cosmic Gate, What about this country keeps drawing you back?
Emma: I was captivated by the beautiful energy and friendliness of the people last time. Life is so colourful in India and there is so much more to see, I barely touched on it the first time around. I am very much looking forward to experiencing more of this wonderful country, and I hope to be back a lot more over the next year or so.
TBB: What do you think are the struggles for a vocalist within the dance music circuit?
Emma: I really believe that to achieve anything worthwhile there will be a struggle, so to me I have never seen the struggles as set backs, only challenges to be overcome. And in this sense I think anyone trying to break into a creative field will face similar struggles, whether you are a vocalist, a producer or a pop artist.
I have always tried to put my focus into just doing what I do to the best of my abilities, without concerning myself about what my role is, or what the difficulties may be for other vocalists or people in a similar vocation to me. Other people did initially say to me that vocalists won’t get any shows or be able to have a career, but I ignored those claims and focused on just trying to pave my own way.
TBB: How excited are you to be performing for Asia’s biggest dance music festival, “Sunburn”?
Emma: I absolutely can’t wait!! I have heard amazing things about this festival!!! A lot of DJs have told me it is without doubt their favorite festival to play, so I am very excited!!
TBB: What are the top 3 #Bangin tracks on your music library right now?
Emma:
- All That Matters – Kryder and Kolsch
- I Said – Chris Lake and Deadmau5
- Always Something Better – Trentemoller
Emma Hewitt plays on the 28th of December on the Cubezoid Stage at Sunburn, Goa.
Interviewed by: Shule Puri
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