Brisbane-based singer Emma Louise has seen international fame with her debut album 'Vs Head Vs Heart'.
"The album is released in America today and it's done quite well on its first day," Emma says. "The title 'Vs Head Vs Heart' is about people in the industry and external pressure who tell you to write a whole album worth of radio hits. When I was writing and recording the album I felt that pressure."
Despite the industry pressure, the fiercely independent 21-year old made a conscious decision to stay firm to her beliefs.
"I realised I got to do what comes out naturally and work from my feelings, otherwise I'm going to be someone that I'm not for the next two years. I made a very conscious decision that I might not do as well with an album not jammed packed with radio singles, but I was just going to do what I felt like I needed to do with my music."
As a result she decided to ignore record label's contracts for a long time.
“I was very determined to do what I felt I needed to do and labels would start telling me what they could do with what amount of money. I just wanted to pick the option that gave me the most creative freedom. That's kind of what I went with in the end."
Her first major hit, 'Jungle', was in 2011 and what essentially brought her initial fame; while her two month visit to New York last year made her realise she had come a long way.
“From the first EP I just recorded it back home in Cairns and didn't really expect too much from it. Once 'Jungle' got on radio, it was very unexpected and I was just taking it step by step. I had two months off and went to New York last year and that's when I took a break and realised that I'm grateful for everything that has happened. I'm always looking forward as well. I got really high goals that I want to achieve and I'm always thinking about that."
Emma Louise joins Last Dinosaurs and a host of other local musicians to launch the largest, free live music program of its kind in Australia – The City Sounds, an initiative of Brisbane Marketing — in the Queen St Mall Friday May 24, from 12pm. Emma also performs later that night at the Hi-Fi.
