For our 10th Clapper Sounds Interview, we are highlighting a Clapper singer and songwriter: Emma Hunt!

Emma Hunt is an independent folk artist. Emma is a passionate performer on Clapper. From amazing self-produced music videos to original music talking about self-love, loss, and pain, this singer-songwriter has many colors in her pallets. And since we are talking about pallets, an interesting fact about Emma Hunt is that she’s also a talented landscape painter, and some of her songs are actually based on what her paintings make her feel.

In this interview, we talked about her beginnings in music, her love for helping others, and her advice to young musicians pursuing music. 

Clapper Sounds is meant to be an intimate musical experience, and we want that mission to translate into our written interviews too. As you read about @EmmaHunt, you can get an exclusive to her most recent single dropping tomorrow, and really get to know this artist’s unique sound.

Don’t miss Clapper Sounds Live Sessions, every Monday at 6pm CT!

 

Let’s start from the beginning. What is your first memory of being involved with music? How did you start your artist journey?

The first time I ever did music was in the choir at school. I must have been 7 years of age. When I was 12 I decided to make a band and go around singing at hospitals and homes. I would have mini concerts for newborn babies. I had a real passion for art and music. But later, I became disengaged with it because I didn’t want to learn all the classical music, all I wanted to do was play.

How would you describe your musical style? Who are your biggest inspirations? 

My musical style is really hard to describe. You’ve heard my finger-picking songs, but you have not heard other styles I do, which is more rhythm guitar. I am going more down the folk route because I leave on a property where I got to respect my neighbors. My inspiration comes from a lot of places. I’ve looked at a lot of 90’s brit pop but I wouldn’t say that’s directly my inspiration. It’s a tough question to answer. For example, I sing a lot of Blondie, then I wrote a song and I could see the song came from obvious influence from Blondie. 

What is your songwriting process like?

I usually have to be in the moment. You can’t just pick up the guitar and just write a song. I have to be fully in the vibe. Quite often I will ask people to give me something to write about. I am very spontaneous. Sometimes I pick up the guitar and write a whole song made up on the spot. I didn’t know what I was going to do next and it was so much fun. Sometimes I work on a riff and that riff writes the song. That riff gives you emotion and quickly I get a melody, then the words. My mom was a poet so I think that’s where I get it from. It’s a very simple process of just me and the guitar. Maybe a couple of chords. I once wrote a song in 8 minutes. 

What are your thoughts on content creation as an artist? How do you feel about artists having to balance their social media presence and still be committed to their art?

To me, it’s all the same thing, because I am making my own music and videos. I don’t even have time for a fella. I am lucky for the first time in my life I can focus on music full-time. I’ve always done what was best for everybody else and have not looked after myself. So, from now on, I am doing it for me. 

I struggle with the social media aspect because I have a full-time business as an artist. I do so much volunteering. So I am also so busy, and I find that there is pressure. Oftentimes, I get frustrated by the algorithm. The thing is I love putting stuff on Clapper because I know that people are going to respond to it and like it. It’s all part of the process for me. I quite enjoy putting my content out there regardless of the pressure.

Do you have any side hustles other than music?

I am a full-time landscape artist. That’s huge just to have as a job. That started out with me just managing my health. I have this condition that kept me in bed for 12 years. I realized that doing artwork distracted me from the pain. Made me feel like I was doing something good. I realized art was the answer, not the medication. So the first thing I did was go out there and teach people how to use art to deal with pain, wherever it might come from. 

Deciding to be an artist can have its ups and downs. What advice would you give to that young artist who is just getting into music and whose dream is to be a musician?

The first thing you feel is fear. You need to defeat your fears to go into music. If you are a young artist and you wanna get out there, go for it and go get it. Don’t be denied by geography. Get comfortable with performing because that’s a life journey. Let people see what you can do and build your connections. 

Make sure to check our recorded live session on our account Clapper Sounds and in our reels on Instagram. Enjoy the Clapper Sounds live session of the week!