“I’m quite a spiritual person and very optimistic. I think it helps to be that way. You see the world in a different light.” For more information on Emma Stevens, visit her website at www.emmastevensmusic.com
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became my debut album, Enchanted, is built up from the fabric of my mum. “She designed the cover artwork for all four of my EPs and when you put them together they formed the entire cover of Enchanted.” Such was the aggressiveness of her mother’s illness that on March 26, 2012, Tina Stevens passed away. “It was the saddest day of my life. For all her support, encouragement and love my mother never got to see the finished product although everything about it was inspired by her.” The single, Riptide, went on to be a huge European success and provided her with the opportunity to tour in her own right in support of the new album. “I love being on tour and engaging with my fans. It is the most amazing experience to see people touched by your music and have them tell you it makes a difference to their lives.” As we speak I can see the enthusiasm and excitement in Emma so it came as no surprise to learn that she started her second album, which is due out later this year, only two weeks after she completed, Enchanted. “The new album is entitled Waves and it reflects my emotions, events in my life and of course my huge love of the sea. The first single, Make My Day, was inspired by a friend’s break-up. The video was huge fun to make and I actually did three different versions of it, with one filmed in a tiny light aircraft where I am playing guitar and singing thousands of feet in the air!”
So did she suffer any challenges or that dreaded “second-album” syndrome? “Not at all. I’m quite a spiritual person and very optimistic. I think it helps to be that way. You see the world in a different light. I didn’t have any concerns about writing and if anything, my confidence was sky-high and the ideas just kept on coming! “And as well as for myself I do it for my wonderful fans. To know that there are people out there who appreciate what you are doing and want you to do more of it is incredible! What could possibly be difficult about that?” With such a focused outlook, does she have time to detach from her career? “I don’t really see what I do as work so it never feels forced or challenging. However, I have other interests outside of music and my big passion is surfing. I love the sea. I also really love nature and just taking a walk in the woods keeps me grounded and makes me realise that life is multi-faceted and not just about one thing. “As a Taurus I am pretty down to earth and I love to cook. Sushi and Italian food are some of my favourites.” So what does bring her down? “I have a pet hate in that people today don’t really appreciate or use the English language as it should be used. I guess technology has contributed to that – texting and tweeting have allowed language to evolve in a different direction to an extent – but it isn’t necessarily always a good thing. “I also wish I wasn’t so clumsy! I often break at least one thing a day but then no one is perfect I guess!”
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