Getting To Know... Emilia Tarrant

Following on from the praise she received for her 2019 acoustic singles 'If You Want Love' and 'Black & White', emerging singer and songwriter Emilia Tarrant has now returned with her blissful new offering 'Honeymoon Phase'.

Lifted from her debut EP of the same name, which is out later this year, 'Honeymoon Phase' makes for a rich and heartfelt return for the artist. Filled with a sweet and uplifting atmosphere, breezy production, and her own impeccable voice at the helm, it feels like we are going to be hearing a lot more from her in the months to come.

So with the new single available now, we sat down with her to find out more about her background and what has inspired her most over the years.

-

What was the first instrument you fell in love with?

The first instrument I fell in love with was definitely the piano. I had played the violin before, classically, but sitting at the family piano and writing my own songs came naturally to me. After discovering and spending hours doing it, my parents got me lessons and the rest is history!

What kind of music did you love as a teenager?

As a teen, I was obsessed with pop ballads, such as ‘Breakeven’ by The Script, and ‘i hate u,i love u’ by gnash (ft. Olivia O’Brien), but also indie rock that I had grown up listening to, such as ‘Run’ by Snow Patrol, ‘Mr Brightside’ by The Killers, ‘Use Somebody’ by Kings Of Leon etc. My music taste has always been broad though, I have my parents to thank for that!

What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?

There are so many songs I wish I could have written! However, one of them has to be ‘(No One Knows Me) Like the Piano’ by Sampha. The lyrics, the piano, the melodies, everything about the song is just stunning.

Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?

My process for writing new music is quite random - I never schedule sessions, unless I’m writing with others. I start writing when I have the urge to, normally when I need to get some emotion off my chest. I’ll take an experience I want to talk about, play the piano or guitar randomly to find chord progressions I like, and sing random lyrics over the top until something cool comes out; as I said, I have a random process. Works for me though!

Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?

Recently I have been listening to a lot of pop, and emerging artists I aspire to, such as Tate McRae, Holly Humberstone, Sody and Arlo Parks. I love listening to these sorts of artists when I’m creating and releasing new music, they inspire me to work hard and aim high with my own music.

How many of your songs have you written about people in your life?

I write practically all my songs about myself or others in my life! I write from emotional experiences, which are usually the most impactful when they involve the people closest to me in my life. I have written many songs about relationships I’ve been in, for example. ‘Honeymoon Phase’ is one of these, which focuses on the end of the fairy tale beginning of a relationship, and whether you and your significant other can work through the next trickier, argumentative stage etc. I am happy to say that myself and my partner (who I wrote the song about) were able to do this and are still together today.

What has been the funniest or most unusual moment in your career so far?

I would have to say that the most unusual but coolest moment in my career so far has to be when someone proposed to their partner during my evening set (for Wessex Cancer Trust) in front of Winchester Cathedral. It was raining too… so romantic. I am a sucker for those kinds of moments. (…and FYI, she said yes!)

If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?

If I could open a show for anyone, it would definitely have to be Coldplay. I have been to one of their legendary shows before, back in 2017; the audience was incredible and the vibe they created was just magical. Not only that, but Coldplay have been my favourite band forever. Who wouldn’t want to open for them?!

If you weren’t a musician, what other path do you think you might have taken?

If I wasn’t a musician, I’d definitely be in the world of media, an industry I have always loved and been interested in, or fashion, an industry I’m obsessed with! Luckily, I get to explore both a touch through my music career, creating a brand image, choosing my fashion style for stage shows etc.

And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?

The best piece of advice I received as a musician came from singer-songwriter Sody not long ago on a zoom gig she was holding. After asking her if she had any advice for releasing new music, she told me to stay true to myself and only release music I believe in, not what others want me to release. Couldn’t agree with her more, such important points to follow.

-

Emilia Tarrant's new single 'Honeymoon Phase' is available to stream and download now. Have a listen to it in the player below.