Getting To Know... Emma & The Fragments

Having already spent the last few years releasing a flurry of bright and impressive singles, London-based outfit Emma & The Fragments now returned with their latest anthem 'Circle Of Concern'.

Lifted from their sophomore EP 'Smile 'Til It Hurts', which is due out later this year, 'Circle Of Concern' sees the group return in stellar form. Filled with blistering pace, killer hooks, and the vocals of Emma guiding the track throughout, their latest offering shows a promising start to their campaign for the new year.

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

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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?

Emma - when I was 9 I fell in love with the tuba. It was bigger than me and I could barely carry it but I loved how it felt, smelt and tasted. I was finally convinced that it probably wasn't the best instrument for me to continue learning. But I still have fondness for it now. I started learning the ukulele a few years ago and this is my current love.

Donn (lead guitarist) - the drums, I was always air drumming to my favourite bands. My Dad recommended I took up the guitar as it took up less space in our apartment! Glad I listened to my Dad as it turned out to be a good choice.

Jon (drummer) - the drums are his one and only true love (after Emma of course!)

What kind of music did you love as a teenager?

Emma - from Motown (especially Diana Ross, Smokey Robinson and Stevie Wonder), 80s pop (Madonna, Eurythmics, The Cure) and House Music.

Donn - anything that was Rock, Metal or Pop from Linkin Park, Smashing Pumpkins, Cannibal Corpse to Duran Duran.

Jon - indie, Brit pop and rock - from Stone Roses, Blur, Prodigy, Skunk Anansie, Squeeze to Depeche Mode.

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

Emma - really hard to pick one! So the first that comes to mind - Ode to Billy Joe (Bobby Gentry) it casually tells the story of a terrible tragedy. Iconic and impactful and leaves the listener wanting to know more in the hope of understanding the mystery.

Donn - again really hard to pick one - probably New Divide (Linkin Park) gives me the same feeling today as when I first heard it. I remember when I first learned to play it how simple it was, yet some of the best songs are the simplest.

Jon - The Chain (Fleetwood Mac) - every time I hear it, its like i am hearing it for the first time.

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

No habits or rituals - inspiration just comes from a variety of sources from a dream, a mood, watching a TV, listening to music, having a laugh with the band or even at work when working on a spreadsheet (gave me inspiration for a song called silently screaming).

We also bring our inspiration/ideas to rehearsals and jam and form songs that way too. So can’t wait till our rehearsal studio is open/permitted to get together again!

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

Emma - Billie Eilish, Rosalia and Maggie Rogers.

Donn - Metric, they are releasing one great album after another. Amazing songwriters and musicians.

Jon - Maximo Park, Foo Fighters (new album), Michael Kiwanuka and Pa Saliu.

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

Emma - the majority of my songs have either been inspired by people currently in my life or from my past. Otherwise they are written about my own feelings/experiences.

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

Playing at KOKO to over 1,400 people as the support band for All Saints at a media event.

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

Garbage - the epitome of female fronted indie rock!

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

We all have full time jobs (in finance, teaching and media). So it’s the reverse i.e we wish we could be full time musicians!

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

Don’t hold yourself back, you are much more talented than you realise.

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Emma & The Fragments' new single 'Circle Of Concern' is available to stream and download now. Check out the new video for it in the player below.