Journey of a Song

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"Hasn't been a single day I didn't want to walk away, but I keep on showing the world." - Isaac Sloane

How do you reckon with Imposter Syndrome, feelings of inadequacy, or just the frustrating sensation that nothing you do really matters? When those feelings of discouragement or depression sink in, do you give them voice? Is there even space in your art for struggle?

In this episode, Emmeline sits down with Isaac Sloane of Isaac Sloane and the Sound Brigade to tackle these poignant questions through the lens of his song, "Try." Isaac talks about the challenges of choosing music, answering the call to create whenever it comes, and the lure of a sad song. They also discuss the importance of musical community in creation, and the different dynamics of writing alone versus writing with a band.

To learn more about Isaac Sloane and the Sound Brigade, or to follow their musical journey, visit their official website or get connected with them on Instagram.

For behind-the-scenes info and more about Journey of a Song, follow @EmmelineMusic on social media or visit the Journey of Series official webpage. You can hear songs from previous episodes through the Journey of a Song Official Spotify Playlist.

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"We’re all just actors in our own lives." 

How do we trust ourselves as artists? How do we trust our art? How do we build the confident audacity necessary to make the music we want to make and share it? How do we beat Imposter Syndrome and say something meaningful as songwriters?

In this episode, Emmeline sits down with Austen of A Joke and the Old Folk's Home to chat about the inspiration for his song, "Irish Goodbye," which is the first in a series of songs about learning to trust and believe in yourself. Austen shares some of his remedies for Imposter Syndrome and discusses how his investments in his own artistry have increased. He also talks about how his creative process is messy and different every time--and why that's okay.

To learn more about A Joke and the Old Folk's Home, or to follow the project's musical journey, follow Austen on Instagram or stream songs like "Irish Goodbye" on Spotify.

For behind-the-scenes info and more about Journey of a Song, follow @EmmelineMusic on social media or visit the Journey of Series official webpage. You can hear songs from previous episodes through the Journey of a Song Official Spotify Playlist.

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"Es que la ciudad es tan vacía como dicen." 

How do you know which language best fits a song? How do you keep your saddest stories from sounding too depressing? Where do you go for sonic inspiration?

AMANDA tackles these questions and more as she sits down with Emmeline to discuss her brand new song, "Medio Oeste." They talk about the importance of pulling the right producers on board, how one riff can transform a track, and why songwriters are so tempted to tell stories that seem a smidge melancholy. Plus, hear them geek out over their favorite 90s musicians!

To learn more about AMANDA, or to follow her musical journey, make sure to find her on Instagram. For more episodes of Journey of a Song, Emmeline's other show, make sure you're subscribed to Journey of a Song on all of your favorite podcasting platforms, or visit here.

For behind-the-scenes info and more about Journey of a Song, follow @EmmelineMusic on social media or visit the Journey of Series official webpage. You can hear songs from previous episodes through the Journey of a Song Official Spotify Playlist.

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"When will I find rest?" 

In "Requiem," a deeply personal composition about the struggles involved in chronic pain and mental health, singer-songwriter Ren deviates from her normal fare of witty one-liners, puns, and clever analogies to offer a passionately vulnerable glimpse into a different side of her life--one to which she's learned other people can relate. Because music can be delightful, fun, and truthful, all at the same time!

In this episode, Emmeline and Ren chat openly about mental health struggles, songwriting as a form of self-medication, and the challenge of being uncomfortably honest in music. Ren shares the surprise that came with having her "sad song" accepted into a festival, and she explores the disease of productivity that often keeps us from giving ourselves the very thing we need most: REST. Emmeline and Ren also talk about how we can stay busy and stay motivated at the same time--and why that line is especially hard for creative professionals to walk!

To learn more about Ren, or to follow her musical journey, visit her official website or follow her on Instagram.

For behind-the-scenes info and more about Journey of a Song, follow @EmmelineMusic on social media or visit the Journey of Series official webpage. You can hear songs from previous episodes through the Journey of a Song Official Spotify Playlist.

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"How I wished to be your hero; I wanted to lean into it." 

Sometimes, the best and most meaningful songs are borne from the darkest places. If we give ourselves space and time to process, the words often find us.

In this episode, Emmeline sits down with Blake and Rosie from DFW-based alternative band MKN Coffee to talk about the band's new single, "Hero." The song is especially personal for Blake, who wrote it about one of the hardest moments of his life. He shares what ultimately inspired him to pen the song, how one riff made the words come to life, and how the music has brought some miracles with it. Plus, hear Emmeline and the band talk about their mutual love of 90s rock.

To learn more about MKN Coffee, or to follow their musical journey, follow them on Instagram. You can also find them on YouTube, where you can watch the official music video for "Hero."

For behind-the-scenes info and more about Journey of a Song, follow @EmmelineMusic on social media or visit the Journey of Series official webpage. You can hear songs from previous episodes through the Journey of a Song Official Spotify Playlist.

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Sometimes, a song starts with a single image or a single line that grows into something much bigger and clearer.

In this episode, Emmeline sits down with Dallas-based singer-songwriter Jacy Penland to talk about her new single, "Sip Your Coffee Slow." Jacy talks about the discipline of being a songwriter, about how quickly the concept of sipping one's coffee slowly turned into a full song, and about how collaboration and trust with other artists have fueled her songwriting journey so far. Emmeline and Jacy also talk about the challenges of writing and stacking harmonies in folk music!

To learn more about Jacy Penland, or to follow her musical journey, follow her on Instagram or Facebook. 

For behind-the-scenes info and more about Journey of a Song, follow @EmmelineMusic on social media or visit the Journey of Series official webpage. You can hear songs from previous episodes through the Journey of a Song Official Spotify Playlist.

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"He just did it for love." 

Not all songs have to be serious. Not all songs have to be deeply probing--but they might be unintentionally!

In this episode, Emmeline sits down with dedicated musician and open mic host Will Stegall (A.K.A. Wild Man Willy) to talk about the surprising origins of his brand new rock song, "Dead Ahead." Thrashing guitars and thoughtfully produced vocals lend this track an air of reflection and soul-searching, but Will talks about the real inspiration behind its writing.

Emmeline and Will chat about the importance of community in songwriting, the necessity of open mics as a springboard for a career in music, and why, sometimes, you need a friend to say, "Hey, this song needs to be recorded!" before you consider jumping into the studio. They also bond over their mutual love of stop animation and creative music videos!

To learn more about Will, or to follow his musical journey, find him on Instagram. You can also catch WIll hosting the Wednesday night open mic at Guitars & Growlers in Richardson, TX or the Friday night open mic at Breaking Brew.

For behind-the-scenes info and more about Journey of a Song, follow @EmmelineMusic on social media or visit the Journey of Series official webpage. You can hear songs from previous episodes through the Journey of a Song Official Spotify Playlist.

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"Don’t be slow to bring your wounds to the salt and to the sun." 

How do we strike a balance between being open-hearted and preserving our sense of self? Between being hardworking and being present? Between being intentional and being receptive?

In "Wandering One," Fort Worth-based folk artist Mollie Danel seeks to tackle these questions and more, offering the wisdom she's acquired about how to hold onto herself in a world that constantly seeks more permeable skin. In this episode, Mollie and Emmeline talk about the creative process that brought "Wandering One" into the world, from its beginnings on Mollie's guitar to its moments in the studio with her producer, Paul Demer. They also talk about how great artists influence a songwriter's musical journey, and how there's no wrong way to write a song--even if it takes years. Mollie even discusses how collaboration helped to start and continues to inspire her creative journey--from music to visual art with the "Wandering One" cover.

To learn more about Mollie Danel, or to follow her musical journey, visit her official website, follow her on Instagram, and check out her tunes on Bandcamp.

For behind-the-scenes info and more about Journey of a Song, follow @EmmelineMusic on social media or visit the Journey of Series official webpage. You can hear songs from previous episodes through the Journey of a Song Official Spotify Playlist.

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"This is the last time that I say the last time." 

We all know that music can be healing. Music can be reflective. Music can help us mark transformational chapters in our lives--and document our perspective as it changes. In the beautiful track, "La Última Vez," AMANDA reminds us of all this and more.

In this episode, AMANDA sits down with Emmeline to talk about creating music as a form of catharsis, songwriting in Spanish, and finding the language of her heart. She also shares the process by which she found her true voice as a songwriter--and talks about how writing helped her through the ending of an important relationship and into the beginning of a brand new musical era. They also talk about their mutual love for Opening Bell Coffee, acoustic covers, and deep, emotional music.

To learn more about AMANDA, or to follow her musical journey, follow her on Instagram.

For behind-the-scenes info and more about Journey of a Song, follow @EmmelineMusic on social media or visit the Journey of Series official webpage. You can hear songs from previous episodes through the Journey of a Song Official Spotify Playlist.

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"In the insane asylum, this is my new home." 

How do we cope with loneliness? How do we build community? In a world where we feel like we don't fit in, how do we go about finding our people, our tribe?  And what do we do while we're searching?

In "Asylum," the debut single from young singer-songwriter Aubrey Riddle, Aubrey tackles these questions in a thoughtful, resonant, piano-accompanied reflection on the impact of isolation. In this episode, Emmeline sits down with Aubrey (live and in person!) to talk about walking away from toxic situations, giving yourself grace when you don't fit in, finding chosen family, and what comes next when we finally set good boundaries for ourselves. They also talk about theater and the healing power of horses!

To learn more about Aubrey Riddle, or to follow her musical journey, find her on Instagram or stream her songs on Spotify. 

For behind-the-scenes info and more about Journey of a Song, follow @EmmelineMusic on social media or visit the Journey of Series official webpage. You can hear songs from previous episodes through the Journey of a Song Official Spotify Playlist.