Journey of an Artist

"If you're not having a good time, what's the point?"

SEO, social media presence, streaming numbers: these are all things in which musicians can become ensnared and with which musicians can become disenchanted if we let ourselves. In this episode, Emmeline sits down with Christían Thrailkill and Christian Nguyen of Dallas-based, optimistic rock band Low Key Colors to talk about how the band keeps joy alive as they increase engagement.

Chris & Christian also discuss how the band formed, how it has evolved, and how they're planning a show on October 5th, 2024 at Three Links in Deep Ellum to honor their deceased bandmate, Nathan.

To learn more about Low Key Colors, or to follow their musical journey, find them on YouTube or at their official website. 

For behind-the-scenes information and more about Journey of an Artist, visit the Journey of Series official webpage, or follow Emmeline on social media at @EmmelineMusic.

"Say yes before you're ready--then figure it out." - Joe Phillips

How do you get ahead in the entertainment industry? How can you build a lasting, meaningful career as a creative? As a musician, how can you find a sound that's unique to YOU?

In this episode, Emmeline sits down with touring artist, producer, pianist, and teacher Joe Phillips to answer these questions and more. Joe shares how he made the journey from touring band member to sound engineer. He also talks about developing the work ethic that led him to work on sounds for attractions at Universal Studios, the music for Barney & Friends, and sound design for films like Braveheart. Emmeline and Joe discuss how a musician's mentality can and should shift for live shows and studio work. Then, Joe gives a glimpse behind the curtain of his new studio at Campbell Crossing and invites singer-songwriters of all stripes to reach out for recording assistance!

To learn more about Joe Phillips, to learn from him, or to follow his musical journey, visit him on Instagram or send him an email at [email protected].

For behind-the-scenes information and more about Journey of an Artist, visit the Journey of Series official webpage, or follow Emmeline on social media at @EmmelineMusic.

"We are all borne from love." - Janna Wilson

We all know that creativity can be an essential processing tool in the toolbox for trauma survivors. But creation comes in all shapes and sizes!

In this episode, founder of The Love Mic and multi-passionate creative Janna Wilson talks about how she has used her need for an outlet and accountability to build the community of artists that have now formed and supported three iterations of The Love Mic.

Emmeline and Janna also talk about overcoming the discomfort of asking for money for your art, celebrating the accomplishments of other artists, why open mics are important for musicians, and how community can lift you up and carry you to your next creative level.

To learn more about Janna and her creative ventures, find her on Instagram. To learn more about The Love Mic and how you can get involved as a performer or an audience member, follow The Love Mic on Instagram.

For behind-the-scenes information and more about Journey of an Artist, visit the Journey of Series official webpage, or follow Emmeline on social media at @EmmelineMusic.

"It's not about you all the time; it's about reading an audience."

Your art isn't just something you do for fun; it's your legacy. The things we create are the things we give back to society. If we're musicians, our music has the power to inspire others. If we're entertainers, our work has the power to uplift, unite, and energize an audience. If the thing we create is community, we have the power to bring people together in new and exciting ways for important causes.

In this episode, Emmeline sits down with Michael Clay, founder of Michael Clay Productions and co-founder of the Texas Music Project, to talk about the primary paradigm shift required to truly change an artist's life. They also talk about how to book gigs as a musician, what goes into a major event production, and how one's career in the music industry can change over time. Michael shares the importance of looking for needs in the industry--and explains why "playing live" is really about serving the venue, client, and audience. He also discusses his #MusicHeals project and the amazing work he's done with the Texas Music Project.

To learn more about Michael Clay, or to hire Michael Clay Productions to produce an event, visit his official website. To learn more about the Texas Music Project--or to find out how to donate money, time, or talent to the cause!--visit the organization's official website.

For behind-the-scenes information and more about Journey of an Artist, visit the Journey of Series official webpage, or follow Emmeline on social media at @EmmelineMusic.

Journey of an Artist kicks off our brand new season with our first ever LIVE recording and audience!

Do you ever feel like your education didn't quite prepare you for the creative life you want to lead? Maybe you feel like you're being called in a different direction than you initially planned. If so, musicians Marc Solomon and Amy Curnow have some epic advice about charting your own path with your formal education!

In this episode--kicking off a brand new season!--Emmeline sits down in front of a live audience at Zounds Sounds The B Side with Zounds Sounds owners and Charming Gardeners Amy Curnow and Marc Solomon. Amy and Marc talk about moving from formal arts education to careers in entertainment. They also talk about how that shift in their own lives has powered their unique vision for their music school, Zounds Sounds. Plus, hear some live performances of the songs Marc has composed about their experiences and released with Amy as the duo Charming Gardeners!

This episode was recorded at Zounds Sounds The B Side in Dallas, TX in front of a live audience, and the entire Journey of team is IMMENSELY grateful to the team at Zounds Sounds for helping us make this vision a reality.

To learn more about Marc and Amy, or to follow their musical journey, visit their official websites for Charming Gardeners and Zounds Sounds. You can also find them on Facebook! To catch more of the awesome live events hosted by Zounds Sounds The B Side, follow the venue on Instagram.

For behind-the-scenes information and more about Journey of an Artist, visit the Journey of Series official webpage, or follow Emmeline on social media at @EmmelineMusic.

"We always want to leave people feeling hopeful."

How do you stay passionate and persistent in the face of hardship? How do you keep from feeling discouraged when the universe seems to be throwing obstacle after obstacle in your path? How do you hold onto positivity when negativity seems to be everywhere?

Australian natives Sheppard might have the answer.

Amy, Emma, and George Sheppard were thrust into the limelight with the massive success of their single, "Geronimo," and their album, Bombs Away.  From a multiplatinum certification to a slew of awards, they were riding a tidal wave of success...and then the world shut down. In this episode, Emmeline sits down with Sheppard to talk about the personal and professional challenges that the pandemic brought to the band, and how a vital perspective shift--and a relocation to Nashville, TN--ultimately gave the siblings the light they needed to create their beautiful new album, Zora. Designed with their own persistence in mind, Zora is a collection of pop songs that speak to the resilience of the human spirit--even when adversity seemed relentless. They talk about how their spouses have encouraged their musical journey, how Nashville's music scene has welcomed them, and how excited they are to finally go back on tour, bringing the new music of which they're so proud to legions of fans.

They also share more about the collaborative process that brought these new songs to light and give Journey of an Artist a special look at two tracks off the new album.

To learn more about Sheppard, or to follow their musical journey, visit their official website. You can also catch the band on tour during the entire month of June 2024!

For behind-the-scenes information and more about Journey of an Artist, visit the Journey of Series official webpage, or follow Emmeline on social media at @EmmelineMusic.

"I'm just so grateful."

That's what legendary jazz vocalist Lisa Nobumoto says over and over to Emmeline in this episode as she talks about her life as a touring vocalist, her time with masters like Teddy Edwards, and the creation of her nonprofit organization, The Jazz Masters Series.

In this episode, Lisa discusses her brand new album, A Tribute to Jazz Singer Nancy Wilson. She also talks about how she began making music, what mentorship looks like, and why the parents of musicians should be supportive first and judgmental second--if at all! She also shares with Emmeline her lifelong mission to uplift, honor, and celebrate jazz music of all kinds--from Los Angeles to Las Vegas to Memphis--through the Jazz Masters Series and the Jazz Masters Orchestra.

To learn more about Lisa, visit her official website. To learn more about the Jazz Masters Series, visit the official website or stream the incredible new album now.

For behind-the-scenes information and more about Journey of an Artist, visit the Journey of Series official webpage, or follow Emmeline on social media at @EmmelineMusic.

Songwriters are storytellers. We're emotional photographers who capture the essence of a feeling in a multi-dimensional combination of words and music. We take a clever turn of phrase and pair it with an irresistible melody to create a memory--but what happens when one snapshot isn't enough?

Enter the concept album.

In this episode, Emmeline sits down with independent musician and producer John Flinchbaugh to talk about the magic of making not just a single, but an album. John shares the inspiration behind his brand new album, Infinite Circle (Forever), and deconstructs the process by which each song was created--and how the songs inform each other. He also talks about how the process of creation was also a process of self-discovery--and how he surprised himself with both the subject matter and the instrumental ideas that surfaced.

Emmeline and John also talk about the importance of slowing down, appreciating the people around us, and being witnesses for ourselves. They even end with an exclusive live performance of John's song, "September (Calm Before the Storm)."

To learn more about John Flinchbaugh, or to follow his musical journey, visit his Bandcamp profile or follow him on Instagram.

For behind-the-scenes information and more about Journey of an Artist, visit the Journey of Series official webpage, or follow Emmeline on social media at @EmmelineMusic.

Being productive as a creative isn't about being perfect or being perfectly in control; it's about taking action.

In this first episode of 2024, Emmeline sits down with Simon Pruitt--a 20-year-old writer, venue manager, and live music event curator--to talk about the value of starting before you're ready. The Founder of OTO Experience, Simon booked his first music festival at age 17 by acting on his crazy idea to create a one-time-only concert of Lake Highland High School students and alumni.  That one endeavor led helped him build the creative life he leads now, from writing for a city-wide magazine to running Dallas's hottest new venue, The B Side. Simon shares how passion and enthusiasm have driven him to put together "insane" multi-sensory events that connect people to musicians through one-of-a-kind experiences.

Simon and Emmeline talk about the importance of live music, the essential but terrifying nature of letting go of control, and how we each benefit from knowing our strengths and delegating our weaknesses. They also talk about some of the artists that have graced both the podcast AND the OTO stage--including Sam Cormier, Billy Law, Zeke Forever, and more.

To learn more about OTO, visit the official website or follow OTO and Simon, Zoe, and Grayson on Instagram. You can also follow The B Side on Instagram, or send a booking inquiry to [email protected]. 

For behind-the-scenes information and more about Journey of an Artist, visit the Journey of Series official webpage, or follow Emmeline on social media at @EmmelineMusic.

When do you take the leap out of your comfort zone to invest in yourself?

When do you give yourself permission to sound like you, and not like the people you've admired?

What is the process by which your differences become your strengths?

In this episode, Emmeline tackles these questions and more with singer-songwriter and voice coach Carly Carroll.  She comes from a very musical family and has a degree in musical theater, but Carly still considers herself a student of music and is learning all the time. She shares with Emmeline about her decision to take a vocal pedagogy certification, her decision to take the leap and open her own vocal studio, and about the decision to make her debut record as a folk singer slowly and thoughtfully. Emmeline and Carly also talk about the importance of pets in musicians' lives and about the power of empowering female friendships!

To learn more about Carly, to take a voice lesson from her, or to follow her musical journey, visit her official website. You can also find her on Instagram as a singer-songwriter and  voice coach. 

For behind-the-scenes information and more about Journey of an Artist, visit the Journey of Series official webpage, or follow Emmeline on social media at @EmmelineMusic.