An Interview with Promising Singer-Songwriter, EMILY HEARN on Touring, Her Latest Album, “Hourglass” and Much More!

Meet 24 year-old singer-songwriter Emily Hearn! She released her latest album, Hourglass on March 10th. The album’s lead single, “Volcano” is a melancholy song about the slow cooling of a relationship as the love falls apart.

Hourglass was produced by Chad Copelin (Green River Ordinance, Ben Rector), and written in her native Athens, GA as well as Michigan, Tennessee and North Carolina with her bassist husband, Michael Harrison as well as collaborations with Ben Rector (“Please, Don’t Take My Love Away” and “Save Me”) and Emily Lynch (“Volcano”).

This album is an assortment of twelve beautifully poignant and effervescent songs that came together from one inspiration: time and how it affects us.

“We fall in or out of love as time moves us. We learn life-changing lessons as time goes on. We figure out how to handle important relationships as time shapes us. We decide who we want to be and what we believe as time reveals our priorities. And ultimately, we grow older as time goes by,” said Hearn.

Hearn is currently touring with Tyrone Wells, hitting over thirty tour markets throughout the United States and will be going to many west coast cities Hearn has never played before.  The tour will go through mid-May.

Can you remember the moment that you decided to be a performer? Was there ever a time when you wanted to be something else?

EH: Growing up I loved singing around the house, and even dreamed of performing on a stage. But after a few childhood auditions for local plays my family and I noticed that my stage fright seemed to get the best of me. By the time I got to high school I had written off any dreams of being a performer, I thought I might like to be a veterinarian. When I went to the University of Georgia I used the few guitar chords that I had taught myself and started writing songs. I kept them a secret for a whole year, until one night when I went with my roommates to a Brandi Carlile concert. Her show was a combination of such talent, honest writing, moments of laughter and moments that made me feel deeply moved—and for the first time I thought that that type of performing is something that I would love to do for the rest of my life.

What would you say has been your biggest accomplishment so far and what do you have your eyes set on next?

EH: I have been really blessed to have a career with a lot of exciting opportunities. Maybe the most encouraging thing that has happened to me so far is being able to raise the money to fund my latest album. Through Kickstarter and with the help of my fans I was able to raise $33,000 to put towards making an album that I’m so proud of. It’s such an accomplishment to be able to navigate a career in music without a record label to help with the financial needs of putting out new music, making high quality music videos, and to fund touring. I was blown away when I realized that I have fans who want to help me make that happen.

The next big thing for me is a big nation-wide tour. I’m so excited about visiting several new cities and getting ready to tackle 20+ venues that I’ve never played in before. I can’t wait to play my new album all over the U.S.

Your album, Hourglass, was released in March. How long had you been working on it? Can you describe the experience of creating an album?

EH: I’ve been working on Hourglass for over a year now. I started writing right it after I released my EP “Promises” in October of 2013. But that’s pretty much how it goes–you write until you can’t write anymore, you pick your favorite songs and record them, and several months later (after mixing, mastering, printing, and promoting) you release your album into the world. It’s like the feeling having a baby after you put a year’s worth of work into one group of songs. But it’s so rewarding, when you’ve worked so hard and are truly proud of what you’ve made, to release an album that has been through this process.

Where does the inspiration for the album’s lead single, “Volcano” come from?

EH: Volcano is a song that’s all about the feeling of loss. I wrote it specifically about divorce, but to me it applies to so many different situations–a break up, a friend moving away, or even a loved one’s death. Loss has different levels of intensity, but the effects and the feelings that go along with it are the same. This song is for anyone who needs a moment to express that feeling of disappointment or grieve a lost relationship.

How did you get the actor Bill Murray to be in your “Rooftop” video? What was it like working with him?

EH: Bill Murray and I have a mutual friend (Mark Bryan of Hootie and the Blowfish). Mark was helping me with my “Paper Heart” record in 2010 and we were looking to make a music video. So after finding a company and making a whole plan, I set out for Charleston, SC. Little did I know that Mark had secretly asked Bill Murray to be in the music video with us. Sure enough, he showed up at the shoot, brought me coffee, and told me he loved the song. I’ll never forget it.

I just watched your video for “Found A Heart”. I loved your wedding dress! Is that your real wedding taking place?!

EH: Yes! My album “Promises” came out a year and 2 days after my wedding. So we were brainstorming a video idea for the new album pretty much at the same time that we were celebrating our anniversary. We watched the wedding video in celebration, and suddenly the idea hit me that we could use our real wedding footage for the “Found A Heart” video (after all, the song is about my husband Michael, inspired by our wedding). It worked out perfectly.

Living or dead, who would you love to collaborate with and why?

EH: I would absolutely LOVE to collaborate with Ella Fitzgerald. In the past 3 years I’ve really become her biggest fan, and fallen so in love with the romantic, intricate jazz albums that she’s been a part of. My all time favorites are the Ella & Louis duet albums (Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong).

Are you excited to go on tour with Tyrone Wells? What places are you looking forward to going and which venues?

EH: I couldn’t be more excited! This is the biggest tour I’ve been on yet. I’m particularly excited to see and play Seattle. I’ve always been a huge fan of the city and wanted to visit, but recently I became obsessed with Grey’s Anatomy so I have a whole new love for Seattle.

More times than not, influences tend to bleed through. What artists have consistently inspired you and your music? 

EH: I’d say that to this day my biggest inspirations have been James Taylor, John Denver, Simon & Garfunkel, Joni Mitchell–artists who wrote incredible lyrics, breathtaking melodies and had simple but unique voices.

Thus far, what’s a favorite memory or something quirky that’s taken place (in-studio, onstage, or elsewhere)?

EH: My favorite quirky memory  is probably from making my new record this summer. We’re always trying to save money (an up and coming artist necessity), so my husband Michael and I decided to sleep in the tiny room next to the studio. A train passed by every night, three times a night. We slept with earplugs and laughed about it every morning. I think there’s something about the poor times that make for better memories.

What do you hope listeners take away from your music?

EH: I hope they laugh, I hope that they want to dance and most of all I hope that people listen to my music and feel understood,

Is there anything else that you would like new fans to know about you or your music? 

EH: This new album is my favorite yet, please tell your friends about it and check it out!

EMILY HEARN TOUR DATES WITH TYRONE WELLS:

4/29 – Washington, DC – The Hamilton

5/1 – Boston, MA – Brighton Music Hall

5/2 – Philadelphia, PA – World Cafe Live Downstairs

5/3 – New York, NY – City Winery

5/4 – New York, NY – City Winery

5/6 – Indianapolis, IN – Radio Radio

5/7 – Chicago, IL – City Winery

5/8 – Evanston, IL – SPACE

5/9 – Minneapolis, MN – Cedar Cultural Center

5/10 – Iowa City, IA – The Mill

5/12 – Denver, CO – The Soiled Dove

5/13 – Denver, CO – The Soiled Dove

5/14 – Provo, UT – Velour

5/16 – Anaheim, CA – House of Blues