With her new single “Wednesday’s Child”, EMMMA unveils a striking evolution—one marked by deeper vulnerability, darker sonic textures, and a fearless embrace of emotional honesty. Fresh off touring with Sasha Alex Sloan and gearing up for her UK debut tour, the rising artist opens up about the inspiration behind her most personal track yet, the moment it made her cry, and how it sets the tone for a more cathartic and confident second EP. In this exclusive interview, EMMMA reflects on growth, collaboration, and the transformative power of songwriting.
You described “Wednesday’s Child” as the biggest dynamic moment of your career so far. What was different about the creative process this time?
Writing this song was incredibly liberating—it feels really different and a lot more personal than my other ones. I think I finally allowed myself to be the most vulnerable I’ve ever been in my writing. The production is a lot darker as well, which made it feel fun and freeing to create.
The line “So caught up in your own storm you’re creating…” is so emotionally vivid. Was there a specific moment that sparked those lyrics?
I think when you’re in a relationship with someone who can’t get out of their own way, it’s hard to be fully present together—we tried to create a metaphor for that.
You mentioned crying to your own song for the first time while listening to it on a drive to Malibu. What made that moment so cathartic for you?
It just really hit me that day. The chorus hit so hard, and I felt like it perfectly encapsulated everything I was feeling about that particular relationship—the sadness and all that came with it.
The phrase “Wednesday’s child is full of woe” became a powerful motif in the song. Can you talk about how stumbling across that sticker inspired the whole track?
I was so inspired when I saw that sticker that I immediately wrote the concept down in my notes app. It felt like a cosmic moment. It perfectly captured how I was feeling—it wasn’t anyone’s fault that the situation turned out the way it did; it just felt written in fate.
Your earlier EP, Secondary Character was about discovering who you were. How would you describe your personal or artistic evolution since then?
I think I’ve grown a lot more confident as both a person and an artist since writing that EP. Back then, I wasn’t sure how I wanted to come across. Now, I know exactly who I want to be as an artist and the sound I want for this project—it feels really good.
You co-wrote this track with Jack Dean and Eden Rain. How did that collaboration shape the sound and story of the song?
Jack and Eden are both amazing artists in their own right, so it was a lot of fun bouncing ideas around and feeding off each other’s energy. We all really understood what needed to be said that day, so it turned into a really easy and enjoyable session. Each of us brought our own personal touch to the song, and I think that’s what made it work so well.
There’s a strong sense of emotional contrast in your music—vulnerability set against bold, theatrical soundscapes. How intentional is that balance?
It’s very intentional. I want to make music that makes you feel something really deep, and bold soundscapes help create that emotional intensity. It’s almost like you’re in a movie about yourself, and this is the soundtrack playing in the background.
You just wrapped touring with Sasha Alex Sloan and are now preparing for your UK debut tour. How has performing live changed your connection to the songs?
I’m really excited to perform these songs live and share them with everyone across the UK! I’ve reimagined the arrangements to make them more intimate—I think they’ll resonate really well in these settings.
What can fans expect from your live shows this May, especially those hearing “Wednesday’s Child” live for the first time?
Be ready for an intimate and powerful version of these songs. I’ll be accompanying myself, so the emotion will definitely be there, and very real.
Your sound has drawn comparisons to artists like Phoebe Bridgers and boygenius, but who are your personal musical influences—those artists who truly shaped your vision?
I’m really influenced by Bon Iver, Joni Mitchell, MUNA—and yes, obviously Phoebe Bridgers too. I think all of these artists have helped shape how I create and guided my taste over the years.
What’s the biggest challenge for you when it comes to songwriting or creating music? Do the lyrics come first, or is it more about building an atmosphere?
If the atmosphere isn’t there, the lyrics are much harder to fit. I usually come in with a feeling or a concept, but the soundscape has to match that feeling—otherwise, the lyrics just won’t come.
If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present who would be your dream choice, and what kind of track would you want to create together?
I would love to collaborate with Bon Iver. He’s been my longest-running and most important influence—I’d probably lose my mind if I got to work with him. I’d want to create a track that truly fuses both of our visions into one seamless piece.
With a second EP on the horizon, how do “Wednesday’s Child” and “Cut the Breaks” set the tone for what’s coming next?
They’re definitely preparing my listeners for a much more cathartic and emotional EP—maybe more than they’re used to from me. I’m so excited to share the rest of it with everyone!
