Emmy June
Emmy June | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Nationality | Finnish |
| Occupation | Singer-songwriter |
| Known for | The Spring[1] |
| Website | emmyjunemusic |
Emmy June is a Finnish singer-songwriter. She became famous with her debut album, “The Spring,”[2] which was released in February 2023. Well-known songs from the album are, “Me & My Mom,” “Save Yourself,” “We’re Not Meant To Be,” and “Everytime I Want Back” among 6 others.[3]
Emmy June's music is ingrained in the American singer-songwriter tradition, soul music, and pop music era. Her compositions explore personal and universally relevant topics, including the complexities of human relationships, the pursuit of independence, and the quest for one's identity.
Early life and education
Emmy June hails from a small town, Rajamäki in Nurmijärvi, where everyone knew each other, and it was a place she, as a dreamer like herself, wanted to escape. Her father was into sports, while her mother had a passion for the arts. As a result, Emmy dabbled in a variety of activities, from sports to theater, dance to music, and from sewing to visual arts. They couldn't afford expensive lessons or hobbies, so she pursued activities that were budget-friendly. At the tender age of 4, Emmy June began her acting journey at Nurmijärvi's Kivijuhlat, a local festival that exclusively showcased works by Aleksis Kivi. Her most vivid childhood memories are intertwined with the scent of theatrical makeup, the sight of the Seven Brothers' white linen costumes, the actors' sarcastic humor, and a real horse backstage, ready for a battle scene. At home, they sewed performance costumes and braided the tails of the Mountain Trolls from rug scraps.
For Emmy June, singing became the most vital form of self-expression, as it allowed her to create her own reality. When she sang while gazing out of a window, she could feel utterly alone, even in a packed car. One day, a friend exclaimed in annoyance, "Do you have to sing about everything, all the time?" On one evening, Emmy's parents were watching a musical movie on television, and she mistakenly overheard them talking about a land where people sing instead of speaking. This instantly became her dream travel destination, and she yearned to learn the language of that place. She gladly immersed herself in musicals like "The Sound of Music," which she has seen dozens of times.
Emmy June began singing in the school choir from the second grade of elementary school. However, she was not admitted into the school orchestra because she had no prior experience playing an instrument. Her academic performance was less than stellar, even though she excelled in the arts. In fact, she was so good that her art teacher couldn't believe she had completed a Mona Lisa reproduction assignment. It wasn't until her teacher had to verify it in the teachers' lounge that Emmy received a grade for the painting. In the end, she got a perfect score, but it didn't feel as good as it should have.
During middle school, Emmy June's academic journey grew increasingly challenging, forcing her to give up all her hobbies, including her talent for swimming. On one hand, the competitive nature of swimming stressed her out, and quitting was a partial relief. By the eighth grade, her grades ranged from fives to sevens, and she was at risk of repeating a year. However, she received no help for her learning difficulties and was often perceived as lazy. Learning seemed impossible, and during math class, she saw nothing but white. She simply couldn't comprehend why studying was necessary. On weekends, she would draw alone in her room, dreaming of rock stardom. During the middle school graduation ceremony, Emmy received an art scholarship, which felt like a miraculous achievement.
After finishing middle school, Emmy June moved away from home. Her parents had hoped she would attend high school, but she was determined and decided to study fashion design and sewing in Lohja. In her early twenties, she relocated to Helsinki and began professional studies as an artist. Following her studies, she made efforts to pursue both of her professions, applied for further education, established her own clothing brand, and hosted small-scale exhibitions. However, nothing felt right. Frustrated because her sole area of expertise, art, didn't feel fulfilling, she found herself in a rut. She took various odd jobs and felt like an outsider. Her friends had gone on to higher education, while she felt stuck with no clear direction.
Career
At the age of 24, Emmy June enrolled in a folk high school for artist training, which provided her with newfound self-confidence and enthusiasm. However, despite her training, she struggled to find a band after completing her studies and had no knowledge of playing musical instruments. Consequently, she embraced the noble notion that she should leave the music world to those who truly excelled in it. She stopped sharing her musical dreams with anyone and even ceased humming at home.
Towards the end of her artist training, Emmy June had the opportunity to perform a musical they had created in Gothenburg. She fell in love with the city, and three years later, at the age of 27, her life took a significant turn when she moved there. Suddenly, she was filled with enthusiasm and eager to learn new things. She had no understanding of the Swedish language, which led to an intriguing idea: what if she learned it in the most natural way, through singing? Emmy began crafting song ideas in Swedish using Google Translator and honed her songwriting skills through YouTube tutorials. Songs started pouring out of her. It felt like she could finally be herself and develop her talents in secret, in a land where people sang instead of spoke. She even took piano lessons for the first time in her life. After work, she would rush home to write songs, take care of her roommate's cat, and drink an ungodly amount of coffee. It was a blissful period in her life. One day, a colleague asked her why she didn't spend her money on eyelash extensions like the others but invested it all in piano lessons. Emmy June still isn't sure if it was a joke. Gradually, her command of the Swedish language strengthened, and she vividly remembers the day she sat on a tram and understood what was being spoken around her for the first time.
In 2016, Emmy June moved to Arvika and embarked on a year-long songwriting program at Ingesund Folk High School. The school and dormitory were nestled in the middle of a forest by a lake, not far from the Norwegian border. On the very first day of school, she began speaking Swedish. It was quite exhausting, especially considering that all the other students were a decade younger and much more energetic. Nevertheless, they taught Emmy June to speak Swedish and encouraged her in other ways. They went to coffee shops after school, watched movies, and practiced music 24/7. At school, Emmy began composing songs in English because she wanted both Swedes and Finns to understand her lyrics. When she uploaded a video of her first performance on Facebook, it caused a bit of public confusion because most people she knew had no idea she was interested in music. However, she was certain from the start that she would pursue a career in music.
In June 2017, Emmy June returned to Finland for a summer job. Her original plan was to go back to Sweden to pursue her dream of studying jazz singing, but she couldn't secure proper financial support for her studies. She decided to test her wings in Finland and gave herself the summer to explore her options. She thought that if she couldn't get her music career started by the fall, she would return to Sweden. Emmy began performing live, initially with accompanists, then with a full band, and later, she mustered the courage to do solo piano performances. Since then, she has organized numerous events, tours, and collaborated with many indie artists and musicians.
In the spring of 2021, Emmy June began her search for a producer. From the very beginning, she was clear about her vision: to be the complete package, creating songs, performing live, and releasing an album. She had saved money for years to fund her album and had already accumulated a substantial number of songs. Recording sessions commenced in the fall of 2021 at Hollywood House Studios in Helsinki. She was so nervous that when the studio drummer asked about the kind of music she had previously made, she struggled to respond. However, she soon fell in love with the studio work. Over the course of 2021-2022, they recorded her album, and Emmy June frequented the studio approximately 30 times. She had the opportunity to collaborate with incredibly skilled musicians, and it felt like everything she had done on her own finally came to life.
It was important to Emmy June to create a band album because she had always loved organic music, the sense of collaboration, and the illusion of a certain kind of family. They recorded everything using the "one song a day" method, primarily through live takes. They didn't rehearse beforehand, and all the arrangements were based on Emmy June's piano-vocal demos, the ideas of the musicians present, and her producer's vision. This approach suited her well, as her songwriting had always been intuitive.
The album garnered significant attention in Finnish music circles. It received substantial coverage in publications like Rumba and on Yle's radio channels. Mika Roth of Desibeli gave the album a four-star rating, praising its boldness in staying true to itself and its surprising songwriting. Jorma Hietamäki, a journalist from Yle Radio Suomi, declared Emmy June as an artist of international caliber. Lotta Savolainen from Radio Helsinki invited her to perform in the Radio Kylpy and Hotel Långvik gig series, which showcased emerging domestic talents. Her album tour consisted of 16 shows, and the album release gig at Manala's Tina-club was sold out. Thanks to the album, Emmy June had the opportunity to perform in all of Helsinki's rock clubs, fulfilling her youthful dreams, except for Tavastia.
Influences and reflections
Emmy June's musical roots are firmly planted in the singer-songwriter tradition, soul, and various eras of pop music. Her songs are personal and delve into themes like diverse human relationships, the yearning for freedom, and the search for one's place in the world. Genre is less important to her, as long as the music possesses soul. She's drawn to songs that bridge the gap between the mundane and the magical. Emmy June appreciates the interplay of dynamics and dramatic elements; music should have the power to both halt and set you dancing.
Emmy June's music reflects her love for strong, independent female artists. She was captivated by Kate Bush's music as a child, with "Wuthering Heights" ringing out from the radio at her summer cottage. In her teenage years, Tori Amos demonstrated how one could rock out on the piano, and a bit later, Amy Winehouse proved that music didn't need to be heavy to carry emotional weight. These influences have played a significant role in shaping her musical style and outlook.
Emmy June's artist name, which references her birth month, also alludes to the challenges she faced in her school days and her quest for finding her own path outside of institutional norms. For her, summer signifies freedom and the opportunity to be her true self, which is precisely what songwriting represents to her.
Emmy June has had a diverse musical journey throughout her life. Her mother had a talent for singing and enjoyed listening to disco and pop music, while her father favored singer-songwriters and rock. He's a music trivia master, and they often engage in extensive conversations about music.
Her first music idols were the Spice Girls, Britney Spears, and Aikakone. However, her world was truly shaken when she watched the 1998 Divas Live concert featuring Mariah Carey and Celine Dion. Their vocals were otherworldly, unlike anything she had heard before. During her teenage years, she listened to rock and metal, and in her early twenties, she developed a passion for soul music. Currently, she's a fan of artists like Yola, St. Vincent, Phoebe Bridgers, and Zella Day. When it comes to lyrics, she holds Joni Mitchell in high esteem. Aretha Franklin and Tina Turner are among her greatest idols, but the biggest one of all is Celine Dion.
In Emmy June's family, there are no other musicians, and it feels like this is entirely her own path. Her parents only truly understood her passion when they saw her perform live for the first time at the age of 30. Since then, they have been nothing but supportive, attending her shows. She loves performing, and singing is like a sanctuary to her.
While she has tried over the years to attend school for music education, she also values self-taught learning. She has been able to create her own learning path, taking private lessons, and creating bold songs without constraints. At times, practical challenges arise because she's not fluent in reading sheet music, and her learning process can be slow. Occasionally, she wishes that things would magically fall into place, allowing her to absorb all the necessary knowledge overnight. Nevertheless, she is fortunate to work with skilled professional musicians, which she deeply appreciates. She leads her band and her own artistry, creating songs, editing videos, booking gigs, producing events, and networking. She dreams of performing at festivals and abroad someday, and she simply wants to do this for the rest of her life.
In the media
References
- ↑ Velikoff, Soundplate & Taffo. "The Spring by Emmy June". snd.click. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
- ↑ "desibeli.net - Emmy June: The Spring". www.desibeli.net. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
- ↑ ""Olen ujo tyyppi muuten, mutta bändin kanssa koen saavani siivet" – haastattelussa Emmy June". Rumba.fi (in suomi). 7 January 2023. Retrieved 9 November 2023.