Interview with Emma Hewitt

Firstly Emma thanks for giving Trance Hub some of your time! I want to start off by asking you what you're currently working on and in particular where you're hoping to direct things in the short term. I read your working with Gareth Emery and Andy Duguid amongst others, any juicy gossip you can give us?
Hey, oh thank you for chatting to me! :) Yeah, I have a few new projects on the go at the moment that I am really excited about, including a track with Gareth Emery that should be coming out around August. I am a big fan of Gareth, so I am stoked to be collaborating with him. Over the next few weeks I am working on tracks for Dash Berlin, Sied van Riel and Lange, all of whom are amazing producers, so I am really happy with the way things are heading this year.

A question from a more personal origin. Many like me will likely have heard you first on Armin's ASOT 2007 album, on which you made the debut release with Chris Lake on "Carry Me Away". With your roots based in rock how did you find the experience on working within a completely different genre?
You know I thought the two genres would be worlds apart, but funnily enough the writing process was very similar. I guess the songs still have the same essence, when you strip them all down and play them with an accoustic guitar or on the piano they could all be from the same album really. It is when the beats and instrumentation come into play that the genres are defined. Recording a rock album is certainly a different process to Trance though, sitting through days of tracking live drums and guitars... Yeah, I am definitely not missing that side of things. :) The immediacy of being able to record a vocal over a Trance track which is already essentially produced is incredible, it feels much more spontaneous somehow and this helps capture the essence of the song and the moment.

I see your rock project Missing Hours is going strong, congratulations. This makes me want to ask the question. Does working in two different genres help with the creativity and song writing? I imagine both require distinctly different approaches.
Oh Thanks! I think working in different genres has definitley helped me with my songwriting. Working in Trance music has allowed me to creatively explore a whole different range of emotions. Rock songs can tend to be a little more angsty, and after a while it is easy to get thematiclly boxed in at times. It is great to be able to write about more universal themes.

Music is one of the most powerful forms of expression; does Trance provide a different outlet for you than rock?
Yeah, most definitley! I have actually found my voice has been changing since singing Trance music, as I am using a lot more high of my higher register and singing with different approaches that wouldn't fit on a rock record. I have been learning a lot, it's great!

I'm fairly new to Trance music having first been exposed in 2005, since then I've never looked back. Tell me how your discovery of Trance music happened and how has the experience has been so far for you?
Well I am actually fairly new to Trance music too!! Over the years I had a few all time favorite Trance tracks like "Silence" but is has really only the last 3 to 4 years I have gotten right into the music. Now I find it tough to listen to anything else really. I think Trance has so much depth to it, it is hard to find that kind of emotion in the majority of mainstream music. So yeah, I won't be looking back either!!!! :)

People in creative careers need to have a lot of inspiration to keep going strong, where do you feel you draw most of yours from, any strong influences you've had in your life you care to mention?
I draw most of my inspiration from observing the people around me. I do borrow from friends experiences a lot, or something I might see that sparks some sort of interest. I find when I am at my happiest it is tougher to become inspired, so it doesn't hurt to get a little reflective and introspective every now and then ;) The darker situations, and the glimpse of the light at the end of the tunnel are usually the things that inspire me the most.

On your old MySpace page you mention and I quote. "I am forever drawn to the melancholic as I find there is so much beauty in sadness". Trance is often geared towards producing an uplifting sensation but has its deeper moments, I am sure you will agree. You have explored this area some in "Carry Me Away" as well as "Not Enough Time". Are there other styles you wish to explore as well as this one or do you see yourself concentrating more in this area?
At the moment I would really love to concentrate on this area a lot more, there are so many more Trance songs I want to write!! I think there is such a broad spectrum of emotions that can be covered in Trance lyrics and "uplifting" is a really personal, subjective term. A lyric which may seem sad or melancholic to one person may be inspiring and uplifting to another. Sometimes upon reflection, a sad moment can be the catalyst for change or the glimpse of clarity we need to dream ourselves into a better place... these are the sparks of inspiration that I find uplifting, the beauty in the sadness.
In addition to my Trance work, I am also in talks about working on a slightly darker electro / pop album, which is shaping up as an interesting side project.

Over the three years I've known the music I've have seen it grow and begin to reach the masses. Do you feel this is a natural progression for a music genre that has largely remained hidden from the general public?
I hope so, it does seem a lot more people are getting into the genre now. I think more and more people are starting to look underground or left of centre for something more meaningful as commercial mainstream music continues to become more cynical and disposable. People want to be inspired and want music that takes them to another place so it seems logical that more and more people are gravitating towards Trance.

Music has the ability to speak to people in a lot of ways; Trance music in particular has the ability to cross many different borders and even cultures. What creates such universal appeal for this music do you feel?
I think it is the strong emotional feel of Trance, the fact that it is so uplifting and can be so inspiring. Being inspired is the greatest gift we can receive and inspiration can be the strongest catalyst for positive personal change.

How much of a creative influence have you had on the songs that you've released so far, do you find the collaboration with producers easy?
The collaboration experiences I have had so far have all been wonderful, I have been very lucky to work with extremely talented producers who have all been very down to earth and professional. I mostly write the vocal melodies and lyrics, while the producers will create the track. Sometimes I write to a track I am sent, other times I record a vocal over some very basic keyboards and beats and will send them across to the producer. Most of the tracks have been created with me in Australia and the producers on the other side of the world, so it is kinda strange to go through the whole writing process via correspndence.

I am told you will be singing for Cosmic Gate live in October for the Godskitchen Australia Tour. It must be a rewarding experience to get to sing to a Trance crowd in your home nation, you excited?
Oh Yay! I can't wait!! I have been to Godskitchen here a few times, and the crowd has been amazing, so I think actually getting to perform there live with Nic and Bossi will kind of blow my mind! :)

If you could have one wish and team up with anybody within the industry who would it be and why?
Tiësto!! He has created some of my all time favorite tracks. I am working on a vocal for his side project "Allure" at the moment, so I guess we'll see...

Have there been any career highlights to date or memorable moments you wish to share with us?
I would have to say working with Cosmic Gate has been a highlight for me, as some of their earlier tracks like "Firewire" bring back so many memories for me. :) All of the producers I am currently working with are fantastic artists so I feel really fortunate every time I sit down to write something with these guys. I am very excited about the coming year, so I am hoping to have many more highlights shortly!! ;)

Here is a bout of some random questions that we want you to answer briefly!
Which song do you identify most with? Special Needs - Placebo... no explanation necessary ha!
Seeing your record fly off the shelf or coming off stage after a great performance, which gives you greater satisfaction? Coming off stage, for sure!! You can't beat that buzz!
What's the funniest moment during your career? (If you can share with us of course!) Oh I was in a tiny crowded backstage area before going onstage in Melbourne. I went into the toilet there to get changed into my super tight PVC leggings. I THOUGHT I locked the door... A poor journalist who had come to review the gig opened the door... I accidentally completely mooned him, badly, along with a few sound guys behind him. I died. I didn't read the review.
How do you feel about chopped vocals? A cool effect or a butchering of your vocal talents? I think it's a fine line. Chopping vocals can lose the vibe and emotion of a full vocal take, but at the same time, it can be a handy tool if you're on a tight time schedule... I prefer full takes :)
Grooving in the club or relaxed home listening, which is better for you? Hmmm, depends on the mood. Probably the club, although I can't dance, so I will most likely be standing at the bar listening...

For many you will be living the dream, spending time working in a job where you can truly express yourself. If you could tell anyone hoping to do the same just one thing what would it be?
Don't give up no matter how many doors get slammed in your face.

Finally Emma, would you be kind enough to pass on a message to all your adoring fans!
There is such an amazing communal vibe between the artists and listeners in Trance - it's something I certainly never experienced in rock music. The support I have been receiving as a newcomer has been quite overwhelming to me. Creating music is all about connecting with people and it's THE best reward to know that there are people around the world connecting with songs I've helped create...

Trance Hub thanks you for sharing your invaluable time. Best wishes for your future projects Emma!
It's my pleasure... thanks guys!!! :) x

For more info related to Emma Hewitt check out the following links:
www.myspace.com/emmahewittofficial
www.twitter.com/emhewitt
www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=667900968

Written by: Darren Honour
Compiled by: Apoorv & Priyank

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