UK Singer Emily Burns Talks Headlining, Artist Inspirations, And New Music

This UK singer is an icon in the making!

With over 40 Million Streams on just Spotify alone, Emily Burns is surely becoming a name to know in the music industry. From headlining her own tours, to being a guest singer on the new Rag ‘N’ Bone Man tour, we are so excited to see what she does next.

We had the honor of talking with Emily on all things music, pandemic challenges, and upcoming music:

Q: What are the biggest challenges you’ve faced during the coronavirus lockdown?

E: “I think like everyone, I’ve faced challenges in both my work-life and my personal life during the pandemic. In terms of my music, having the whole of the live music industry shut down for over a year now, has been really hard. However, it’s been a challenge (that I’ve genuinely enjoyed,) finding new ways to engage with an audience outside of a live show. I also, like many of my friends, feel like the next big challenge will be adapting to normal life again… we’ve all gotten so used to a slower pace of life, that the idea of a packed schedule now feels daunting and overwhelming. “

E: Did you get to discover anything new about yourself during this period of social isolation?

E: “I’ve always known that I’m a bit of an over-thinker… but being in isolation definitely emphasised this for me! Having so much time alone with my own thoughts, taught me that I should really be kinder to myself in terms of my internal dialogue. On a more positive note, I also fell in love over lockdown! I’ve always felt too busy and too wrapped up in my own world for love, but over lockdown, I met the right person, and gave myself the time to love and be loved and it’s amazing. I feel very grateful for that. “

Q: How does it feel to be headlining your own shows in the UK?

E: “Seeing people buying tickets for my own shows is the most amazing thing. And what’s really incredible is when I see people that have had tickets bought for them as a present… I will never get over the idea that someone wants to buy tickets to my show as a present for someone else! I’m just so excited to get back out on stage and feel the energy in the room again.“

Q: Has pursuing a musical career always been your dream from the start?

E: “Yeah! I started playing guitar when I was 8 and then wrote my first song when I was about 10 (it was called “Shooting Stars” and it was dreadful.) I remember at school we had to fill out forms stating our ambitions and goals and I definitely wrote “popstar” on mine hahaha. I knew from a very young age that I wouldn’t be fulfilled doing anything but music… so I just had to give it a go. “

Q: Are there any artists who have influenced your style that most people are surprised to hear?

E: “I’ve been influenced by so many amazing artists over the years but someone I never really mention is Newton Faulkner… I remember going to see him live with my Mum when I was 14/15, and I was completely in awe of his guitar playing, lyricism and phrasing. I went away and listened to his “Write It On Your Skin” album and felt so inspired by him.“

Q: What is the process for determining which songs of yours make the track list for your EPs?

E: “This might sound super cheesy but, if a song doesn’t make me FEEL something… it doesn’t make the EP. When I come away from the studio after a writing session, sometimes I’ll play the song over and over and over again and I’ll just know straight away that I have to release it. It’s a really innate feeling, I just know.”

Q: Has growing as an artist made it easier to share vulnerable experiences in your music?

E: “I would say it has yeah… when I first started releasing music, I was really shy to even use female pronouns in my songs. I was super worried about just being myself, but as I’ve gotten a bit older and my confidence and self-belief has grown, I’ve let walls down and really become a lot more open and honest in my music. I just say it exactly how it is now.”

Q: What are you most excited about for this year, now being halfway into 2021?

E: “Releasing new music… it’s been almost a year since I’ve released a new song and there’s nothing quite like the feeling of putting out music. I’ve been working on some really exciting stuff and I’m desperate for people to hear it! I’m really proud of it and I think people are definitely going to notice that I’ve grown and matured as an artist.”

Q: Where can we follow your amazing journey?

E: “All the usuals! On instagram and Tik Tok, I’m @emilyburnsmusic and follow me on Spotify! So much more music coming soon… I can’t wait to share it with you.”

Emily’s new single “I’m So Happy” is out now!

Solstice Raeanne–Music/Mental Health Editor– Solstice Raeanne is a mental health advocate. As someone who has seen the way mental health is treated in our society they’ve wanted to make a change, and a difference. If they aren’t working, you can find Solstice on the phone scrolling through pinterest, or writing new articles and conducting interviews.