Singer-songwriter, Emmy Law, has been creating her own songs since her days in college, and has been playing piano since the age of eight. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, Law has played several open mic nights, including her own concert sessions at renowned listening venues like Eddie’s Attic, the Red Clay Music Foundry and the Music Room upstairs at Smith’s Olde Bar. She’s also a music teacher, and recently released her debut EP, Fairyland, last fall (2017).
Law also released the single that shares the title of her debut EP, and has released a music video to accompany it. “Fairyland” was directed by Zak Washburn, filmed with a vintage camera calling back to her late memory of her idealized relationship. Read our interview with Emmy below to find out about her view of this “fairytale,” how she relates to her audience, the most influential songwriters she admires most and more.
I love that your bio reads “as she finds clarity within her misconstructions…” What does this mean to you in earning a place in your fans hearts?
Emmy Law: In revealing my imperfections, I relate to listeners. I know that as a listener I’m latching on to words I’ve experienced, and through that process I feel connected to the artist. I hope to connect to listeners by revealing my imperfections in an authentic way.
You’re hometown is Atlanta, and have played at Eddie’s Attic (one of my favorite venues), and the Red Clay Music Foundry…how do you feel that these venues specifically in the Atlanta area cater to the singer-songwriter? Do you think Atlanta is a growing and thriving place for the singer-songwriter also?
Emmy: I love both of these venues! Eddie’s Attic prides itself on being a listening room . Their Monday night open mic competition attracts serious singer/songwriters for this reason. On any given Monday, listeners are bound to hear some of the best in Atlanta and beyond. The Red Clay Music Foundry has a similar vibe. Their Sunday night competition has the motto “Life is in the song” – and you do truly feel that your songwriting is valued when you perform there.
You recently released your EP, Fairyland, in the fall of 2017, and have an accompanying video with it. I love that the music video focuses on the “fairytale” aspect of it! What about “fairytales” specifically fascinates you the most?
Emmy: The fairytale in this video has to do with avoiding reality. I think we have all experienced fairytales at some point in our lives….phases that we know are unhealthy and can’t be sustained, but we desperately want them to continue. In the video and song ‘Fairyland’ this was portrayed as a relationship that shouldn’t continue. How’s that for a happy spin on fairytales!
How did you get involved with your director, Zak Washburn, and was it a collaborative effort relating to the theme of the video, or was it solely your vision?
Emmy: Zak Washburn was recommended to me by the producer of my Fairyland album. The video was a collaborative effort! I told him the vision I had for the video, and he was great at bringing that to life and adding some key elements. He was really fun to work with.
Are there any songwriters that have had a huge influential impact in your singing and songwriting career?
Emmy: Absolutely. Ingrid Michaelson, Damien Rice, and the band Copeland are a few that have heavily impacted me. They’re all rule breakers in their own way. I’ve seen them all in concert and their music has been on repeat. It’s interesting that being impacted by artists doesn’t always mean your music sounds like theirs….they cause me to explore the corners of my mind for possibilities, and for that I’m so thankful.
Fun Questions
Who was your first concert, and do you have a favorite?
Emmy: Oh man, my first concert was Avril Lavigne, yeah! She was awesome. My favorite concert has probably been Damien Rice, just because it was an emotional experience.
What was your first album on vinyl, CD and/or cassette?
Emmy: ……I’m going to say Backstreet Boys.
What five albums or artists would you not want to live without?
Jimmy Eat World – Futures
Copeland – Beneath Medicine Tree
Death Cab for Cutie – Plans
Ingrid Michaelson – Girls and Boys
Damien Rice – My Favourite Faded Fantasy
Do you have a guilty music or entertainment pleasure?
Emmy: I can really, really, really get into some Post Malone. Is this guilty?
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