"Welcome to level one, might seem impossible..." 

Is love an impossible endeavor in a largely digital age? How can we "level up" in a world that seems to suggest that finding a romantic connection is all about playing games? Can a songwriter keep a theme consistent through an entire 3-minute song?

Dallas-based singer-songwriter Ren tackles these questions and more in the latest episode of Journey of a Song, featuring her song, "GameBoy"! She sits down with Emmeline to discuss their mutual love of wordplay; how "GameBoy" is an ode to her gamer days; and how, when we play games with others, we often end up playing ourselves. Ren and Emmeline also chat about the importance of live shows and open mics for songwriters, and about how difficult it can be to keep the spark of creative passion alive while working an evening job!

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

"You're bruised, you're hurt, but you put it on me." 

How do you find the courage to identify and walk away from a toxic situation? Does every song have romantic undercurrents? How vulnerable is TOO vulnerable in songwriting?

In this episode, Emmeline sits down with the phenomenal R&B songstress Rosy L to tackle these questions and more. They also discuss their shared love of live music--especially intimate, acoustic shows--and why the moments after a show are as magical as the moments during a show.

To learn more about Rosy L, or to follow her musical journey, visit her official website, find her on Spotify, 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.

"Tired of running for the heights and always wasting what is mine."

How long should we "put in our dues"? How much sacrifice is good sacrifice, and when does self-sacrifice become toxic?

In this episode, through the lens of singer-songwriter Carly Carroll's beautiful debut single, "Until It Goes Away," Emmeline and Carly tackle these questions and more. Carly (an alumna of Journey of an Artist) talks about taking risks in her career and how her new song served as internal motivation to make some hard choices. She also talks about the beauty of alone time, the need for space in one's creative life, and the opportunity to let a song really, truly develop organically.

Emmeline and Carly also chat about being voice teachers and their teaching journeys.

To learn more about Carly, or to follow her musical journey, visit her official website or follow her on Instagram. You can also stream her new single on Spotify and Apple Music.

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.

"Take his wounds and mend his heart so he can learn to trust again."

How can we use music to make sense of the things in the world that harm us or others? How can we use music to bring necessary, compassionate awareness to social problems?

Can we do all of this with our music and still make music fun?

In this episode, Emmeline sits down with Mason Adams of Mason Adams Project to answer these questions and more. They talk about arts education, the things they've seen as teachers, why music is such an uplifting processing tool, and how songs are great outlets! They also discuss the beauty of live gigs and why every Mason Adams Project show is completely and totally unique!

To learn more about Mason Adams Project, or to follow their musical journey, visit their official website or follow the band 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.

"This year, I'll pay attention to the weather, and feel the wind as it moves through a feather."

Getting older is a real, relatable feeling--but how do we make peace with it? How do we learn to let ourselves off the hook, to worry less and care more, to be less restrictive and more exploratory? As we grow up, how do we keep that feeling of awe and discovery that we had as kids?

In "Through A Feather," Hylan tackles these questions and more from the warm embrace of the ocean in Panama. In this episode, Emmeline and Hylan talk about how feeling small can be the best inspiration. They also talk about revisiting the places we loved as kids, about the importance of therapy for songwriters, and how music can be a place for us to ask the most pressing questions AND make peace with uncertainty. They also talk about their mutual love for the beach--and that super weird adult sensation of turning into your parents.

To learn more about Hylan, or to follow his musical journey, find him on Instagram or listen to his music 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.

"But I can't even ask if you think about me as much as I think about you."

How can you process present absence? How do you handle the ambiguous end of a friendship? Is navigating the loss of someone you love a one-song or multiple-song journey? In her new song, "Think About You," the young, independent, country-folk artist Haven Victoria explores these themes and more!

In this episode, Emmeline sits down with Haven for a candid, honest discussion about how we, as songwriters, can and often do use music as catharsis. Haven shares the difficult experience that inspired "Think About You"--and a few other songs on her forthcoming project!--and talks about the misconception that all "breakup" songs are about romance. Emmeline and Haven also talk about the cool, collaborative discoveries that can happen in the studio, the importance of leaning on other musicians to empower you and enhance your music, and the beauty of being able to--over time and with careful attention to detail--turn emotions into ear-worms. They also talk about following your own authentic journey as a songwriter--even if that means that your genre evolves!

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

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.

"Me pregunto dónde fue que yo fui mal?"

Which serves a song better: spontaneity or meticulous planning? Straightforward or poetic lyrics? Layers of instrumentation or a sure and steady guitar?

In this episode, Emmeline sits down with independent Latin pop artist Alex O'aiza to tackle these questions and more through the lens of his newest single, "YNMA." Alex shares his collaborative process--and brings his guitarist and dear friend Alex Whitcomb along for the ride! They also talk about prioritizing creative collaboration, cowriting with and without producers, approaching songwriting sessions in different ways, allowing yourself to be exploratory in composition and production, and trusting that--if you show up!--the magic will happen.

For more information about Alex O'aiza, or to follow his musical journey, find him on Instagram and other social media sites as @alex_oaiza. 

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.

"California dreaming of my Texas hill country."

How far should we go to chase a dream? Do we really need to run away to find ourselves? Where do we belong, and how can we truly find home?

Independent, country-tinged singer-songwriter Paige Hill tackles these questions and more in her beautiful song, "Go West."

In this episode, Emmeline sits down with independent, country-tinged, singer-songwriter Paige Hill to talk about "Go West" and Paige's new album, People & Places. They chat about navigating social expectations, the pressure we put on ourselves as women, the difficulty of letting go of (the illusion of) control, and how music allows us to find our truest feelings and our truest selves. Paige and Emmeline also discover a mutual love for the Enneagram and the divas of the 90s! (We’re looking at you, #WhitneyHouston and #CelineDion!)

To learn more about Paige Hill, 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.

"If I got money every time you're on my mind, I swear I'd have more money than a single dime."

Do lyrics need to rhyme? Can a song be both funny and profound? Is there a right way to build a composition?

In this episode, Emmeline sits down with urban boy band, The Kid Brothers (TKB), to tackle these questions and more through the lens of their brand new single, "Divine." Comprised of Eddie, Shawn, and Sasha, TKB has been releasing fun, dance-able jams since 2021--but the release of "Divine" marks the beginning of a new chapter for the band. They talk about learning instruments from YouTube videos, using social media to connect with fans, and taking performance far more seriously than they take themselves. They also share some of the challenges of writing songs as a collaborative unit, and how they've learned to empower each other and play to each member's strengths. Plus, hear how one groovy bass line can be the beginning of the next summer hit--and why Sabrina Carpenter might be the inspiration behind "Divine."

To learn more about The Kid Brothers, or to follow their musical journey, follow the band on Instagram or check out their official website.

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.

"Thick skin, now healed."

Midway through this episode of Journey of a Song, Cari Smith of Late to the Station leaned back on her stool and said, "The price I was paying internally [not to make music] became too high. I am here for a reason, and if I think this is it, to not do it would be an absolute waste."

Emmeline invites you to scribble that down on a Post-It and tape it to your bathroom mirror to remind yourself that the only life worth living is one about which you're deeply passionate--which is, coincidentally, the root of her conversation with Cari and Paul Smith from the Americana group, Late to the Station.

Here, Cari and Paul deconstruct their groovy jam, "Main Street Strut," as an ode to the genre and to the vocal swagger of legends like Chrissie Hynde. They also talk about their decision to make music professionally as fully grown adults, and all of the gifts music has brought into their lives--from the ability to be open to magic to the chance to fall in love.

To learn more about Late to the Station, or to follow their musical journey, visit their official website and follow 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.