I featured a few Emily Wells videos via a guest post from Streetwater not to long ago. Recently I was able to ask Emily some questions, all in the perspective of a new fan, someone who was far from familiar with her music, her style. I’ve now been a borderline obsessive fan over the past month or two, searching relentlessly for more of her music, live videos, etc. Her medium is just that good, that different. Actually she doesn’t even have a medium. She will tickle you perfectly with a beautiful performance a la ukulele, then switch it up and use five different instruments you’ve never heard of in a violin heavy remix of ‘Juicy‘. People who create their own style, then live in that style, are the best. Interview and videos after the jump. Enjoy it.

Serial Optimist: What up Emily! Thanks for taking the time to answer some questions. This will be great because I’m a new fan, and literally know nothing about you, except that I can’t stop listening to your music. I’m going to refrain from Googling the shit out of you to prepare for this interview, and just freestyle it. First of all, when I show people your videos, or play them your tracks, I’m like “DO YOU UNDERSTAND SHE IS CREATING EVERY SOUND YOU ARE HEARING?! DO YOU GET IT?!” Do you ever have that problem? When talking with labels or whatever, are you more selling your music or how you create your music?

Emily Wells: That is certainly a great place to start cause I’ve been thinking about this a lot… There’s a fine line between a science fair project and a great performance. While what I do on stage is engaging for me and hopefully for the listener, and it allows me to do things alone and with the band that I could never do without the use of live sampling / looping, I don’t want the process to distract from the experience. I’ve been working on evolving the loop pedal, and always strive to create good work, and good songs above all else.

SO: How do you describe your style of music? When did you start experimenting with mixing different sounds, instruments, styles, etc? How did you get introduced to some of the instruments you use/play?

Emily: I bat around a few different ways to respond regarding my style… Often I say it’s classical mixed with hip-hop, but lately it’s getting a touch of gospel and back woods… It’s just a mix of all my influences and experiences… now try filing that at a record store… I know.. I know. I’ve been interested in sound and producing ever since I got my first four track when I was 16. I was so mesmerized by the idea of the ability to layer and build… it’s really grown since then, my collection of instruments, as well as my approach to recording and production. This fascination might in fact be part of why I do all the loops and stuff. I loved recording so much and found this was the closest way to bring it to the stage. Basically I can’t stop collecting anything that makes sound and these instruments, toys, whistles, ect find their way onto the stage or the tape eventually. I just got a big beautiful bass drum!

SO: I love it. Your a musical hoarder!

SO: You just moved back to NYC. How long were you in LA, and what made you head west? What made you come back to NYC?

Emily: I did indeed. I was in LA for 8 years, kind of on accident. Love will make you leave, love will make you stay. Did I just answer all your questions?! Going to NYC was a series of coincidence and serendipity… I don’t think I’ve quite figured it out other than to keep growing as an artist, tour out here, enjoy a new place, and most of all grow as a human being.

SO: Are you a self-taught musician?

Emily: No, I was classically trained as a violinist from a young age… I have picked up a lot of instruments sort of on my own over the years, but that’s just from listening and observing and of course practice!

SO: What artists are you currently really into, can’t stop listening to?

Emily: Fuck. That Beach House record is going non-stop lately… And I was obsessed with riding my bike around New York listening to the new Black Keys for a while. I’ve just started DJing (and LOVE it)… so I’m all on the vinyl right now, adding to my ever growing collection of old good hip hop. I also was a little addicted to the Sinatra/Biggie Mash Up album much of the summer. Today is a Bob Dylan day.

SO: What are your top 3 hip-hop tracks of all time?

Emily: These kind of questions are always so hard for me.. off the top of my head:

Biggie: Come On

Method Man: Release Yo Delf

2pac: Me and my Girlfriend

SO: Great choices for sure. I know, those questions really are tough to answer.

SO: How do you find inspiration, or, how does it find you?

Emily: Oh both… I find inspiration in really simple things, like the look on somebody’s face real fast on the street. The flutter of things. The light on the back porch. An incredible live performance. Random acts of art and kindness. That feeling you get when you can’t NOT! And love of course… those matters of the heart.

SO: Nightmare question, but you have only one instrument you can play the rest of your life, which one do you go with and why?

Emily: My voice… because it’s the only thing that is only mine.

SO: Describe your perfect NYC day.

Emily: Sleep late… lie on the kitchen floor and drink coffee listening to something good. Wander a bit. Ride the bike. Come home and work on a new song. Get in it. Orange juice. See someone I love. Have drinks then gallivant. End up at home with vinyl all over the floor and people around laughing and hugging.

SO: When was the last time you giggled, and why?

Emily: Just now. This question… Before that? Probably a good funny text.

SO: Thanks so much Emily, and I can’t wait to see you live!

____

DIG IT:

____

SO Note: Listen to more of Emily Wells music here, become a fan of hers on Facebook so you can get up to date info on touring and where she’s playing here, and just Google her name to find and listen to some amazing performances here.