Emmy Meli Turns Anxiety in Art with “Silence”

INTERVIEW

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INTERVIEW ✦

For just over two years, singer-songwriter Emmy Meli, an organic talent and rising star in the music industry, has been captivating audiences worldwide with her soulful and nuanced tonal range, empowering lyrics, and emotional delivery — regularly resonating with listeners on an impactful level.

Having first gained notoriety with her 2022 viral hit, “I AM WOMAN” Meli’s massively streamed single initially earned her a mainstream presence in pop music for her bold celebration of the essence of womanhood in all its complexity, with plenty of artist-tailored songs that would eventually follow. Which specifically includes the fresh 2024 dark horse track "Breakthrough," a witty anthem for anyone striving to unshackle themselves from the wrong person.

And with her recent single, "Silence," Meli changes lanes and hones in on her ability to convey raw emotion through music, funneling intense anxiety-heavy experiences into a haunting melody enhanced by soul-stirring vocals.

Now, after dropping the personal track that’s also happens to be a precursor to her debut EP (out now), the naturally gifted artist is breaking down her career, the significance of “Silence,” and more.

Emmy Meli

Congratulations on the release of your exceptional new track, “Silence.” How was this song initially conceived, and how does it resonate with your own experiences regarding anxiety?

Emmy Meli: It was initially conceived from my being so anxious I could barely write. My project partners encouraged me to just write what I know and felt at that moment; thus “Silence” was born. Almost word for word how my anxiety truly feels — it never becomes unrelatable for me. 

Your upcoming debut EP, Hello Stranger, seems to be a very personal project, with each track representing a year of your life. How difficult, or conversely, satisfying was it to compact those experiences into these tracks?

Emmy Meli: It was actually incredibly satisfying because I got to tell MY story and hear start-to-finish tangible audio proof of my growth and perseverance. It is such a raw and authentic plotline that ends in such a meaningful way, I got to listen and truly absorb how far I´ve come in the last few years. Very full circle.

Tying a Barbara Lewis song into your EP is a really wonderful, bold choice. What made you decide to pay homage to this particular song, and how does it tie into the overarching narrative of Hello Stranger?

Emmy Meli: My dad was born in 1952 thus being a young teenager in the 60s. When I was a little girl he burned me a CD of his favorite songs from that era — that ended up coming everywhere with me, from my portable CD player to my first car — and the first track was “Hello Stranger.” It quickly became one of my favorite songs of all time. I vowed to myself very early on in life that my interpolation of it would be the first track of my first project. It ties the entire story together as well coincidentally, symbolizing the first chunk of my life.

Emmy Meli

“Silence” seems to have a profound impact on you, helping you find your voice amid the chaos. How do you envision this track resonating with your audience and potentially helping them navigate their own struggles with anxiety?

Emmy Meli: I think above all else it helps people see that they're not alone. Music heals, and sometimes we need to release what we build up inside. I think “Silence” is one of those songs to play when you need to feel understood and truly scream along to as a release.

Your self-love anthem “I AM WOMAN” propelled you to viral stardom. How does it feel to have such a powerful message embraced by millions of listeners – including being chosen as the theme song for Megan Markle’s podcast? That’s pretty major!

Emmy Meli: It feels surreal, but also fitting that it would be that song that got me here today. I've always known I'm meant to be here to heal people through music, and all I was doing was following my path and speaking my truth. I´m so incredibly beyond grateful to finally have stepped into the shoes I've known I was supposed to wear my whole life. I hope I can continue to inspire people to do the same!

Growing up, you were influenced by jazz legends like Dinah Washington and contemporary artists like Lauryn Hill. How have these musical influences shaped your sound and storytelling as an artist?

Emmy Meli: I would say Dinah influenced my vocal storytelling whereas Lauryn influenced my lyrical storytelling. The passion, soul, intricacy, and attention to detail both of these women had were a huge study point for me. I wanted to be great like them. Not just good, but great.

Your journey from secretly releasing songs on SoundCloud to dropping out of college to pursue music full-time is quite inspiring. What advice would you give to aspiring creatives who are facing similar challenges and decisions on their own journey?

Emmy Meli: I would say: you have a unique light that nobody else has. Follow that light and it will take you far. No one can ever take it away from you, and only you can cultivate it and nourish it. Work hard, there is no secret to success other than to pursue your dreams relentlessly.