Emily Laing – Hey It’s You

By starrymag | June 5, 2020

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

 

A) Light, folky and hopefully very honest! I’m not a particularly flashy person, so I hope my sound is similar!

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

 

A) Laura Marling, Janis Joplin, Siv Jakobsen, Martha Wainwright, Billie Eilish (all the great women!)

 

Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “Hey It’s You.”

 

A) It’s a song about a moment of connection between two people. Whether they’re already together, friends on the verge of more or complete strangers.

It’s an incredibly loaded and energetic thing when we experience it. Love and sex are very powerful things. And often those moments go completely unnoticed by everyone else around you! It’s a mini universe that exists between two people. Completely exclusive. That’s ‘Hey It’s You’ for me!

 

Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?

 

A) I think most people will say they’ve experienced that moment with someone at some point. It’s a very familiar thing, so I’m hoping that fans can see themselves within the story.

 

Q) How does the video for the track play into the message behind it?

 

A) The video was shot on my home turf of Gloucestershire. It’s where I feel most free! The song is about a heightened moment and I wanted the video to display a certain level of freedom and reckless abandon. Some of the things that come with love. Plus, all I ever wanna do is climb things and get muddy. Totally in my element.

 

Q) What is it about Scottish folklore that connects you to it?

 

A) If a song tells a great story I’m sold! I love a raw and honest voice. There’s something wild and untethered about Scottish folk. I love it.

 

Q) What is your song writing process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?

 

A) I start with lyrics. I need a story and a focus before I can add melody. I write a poem and then add a layer of music on top of it. Of course, things will change over the process but for me it always starts with words. I spent so long being quiet, hiding my voice and now I just wanna let rip!

 

Q) How much of a hand do you have in the production of your music?

 

A) Oh, I’m there for all of it! Usually sitting in a corner with a marmite sandwich driving my manager and mixer crazy!

 

Q) Will there be a full album or EP coming in the near future?

 

A) Yes! Plans for an EP this year! So excited.

 

Q) Where have been some of your favorite places to perform and what makes those locations so significant to you?

 

A) The Court in Soho was where I did my first ever live gig so it will always hold a special place for me. As a club it has an amazing history. That stage has housed a lot of legends though so I have very big shoes to fill.

 

Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?

 

A) Johnny Flynn if he’d have me! That would be a dream come true.

 

Q) What album/band are you currently listening to and why do you dig them? 

 

A) A lot of Postmodern Jukebox because it gets me dancing like nothing else. And Matt Maeson’s album Bank on The Funeral. Completely beautiful.

 

Q) You are a part of social media. Why is that such an important way for you to connect with your fans?

 

A) I have an amazing community of fans on social media and I’m incredibly grateful. I love being able to connect with people and hear how something I’ve written may have made them happy or sad or nostalgic. It’s fascinating and so beautiful.

Social media can be a toxic place, so I do my best to be real and kind. I like sharing my struggles and imperfections and people seem to respond really well to that. We’re all just people at the end of the day.

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

 

A) Just thank you so much. This is a bonkers journey and I’m so happy you’re along for the ride. I will endeavor to stay honest and carry on making people happy! You’re wonderful.