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The SWPro Journal
A collection of interviews, updates, tips and resources for songwriters.

Spotlight: A follow up Interview with Emma Lane!

All, Featured Songwriters by The Frettie Team on August 26, 2014


It’s been just over a year since we launched Frettie to the songwriting world. We’ve got a number of exciting things that we are going to be doing to celebrate that milestone. One of the things that we will be doing is following up with some of our earlier Showcased Songwriters. We thought it would be great to see what they’ve been up to since we last spoke with them a year ago. To kick this off, we reached out to Emma Lane who’s been with Frettie since the very beginning. It was a great interview. She gave us some insight on how Frettie has helped her and what some of her challenges and proudest moments have been this past year. We hope you enjoy the interview!

Q: Can you believe it has been over a year since we last interviewed you? What have you been up to?
I'm in disbelief that it's been over a year since my first Frettie interview. It's all been a beautiful blur. I've gone to Nashville to record my EP, Noise From The Basement with the Nashville based rock band, Hip Kitty who have become my good friends. The chance to record in Nashville was a huge blessing, and had a lot to do with a producer reading my Frettie "Songwriter of the Month" interview.

Q: How has the EP been going?
The EP, Noise From The Basement, was slow at first but once it caught on social media, it's really taken off. I never expected the reviews and acclaim for a project of mine.

Q: How have things changed for you since the last time we talked?
Things have changed a lot since we last talked. The interview alone made a lot of doors open for me, especially in the songwriting community. After I put my EP online alongside the Frettie interview, I was contacted by a BMI awarding winning songwriter for Reba McEntire. Together we penned my next single. I've gained respect and recognition from insiders and that's still so insane to me.

Q: What have been some struggles this past year that you think other songwriters could relate to or would find interesting? How have you learned from them?
Everyone hears a song differently. The music, the lyrics, down to the smallest detail, it's different to everyone's ears. It's incredible what different people take from a song. When I first put the EP out there, I heard so many different opinions on structure, my melody, the lyric I chose for the verse, even why does my Rochester accent show up in my singing on one word? (We say it Raaachester). It's like a little bug gets into your brain and all you can think about the next time you write a song is to not hit any of the points and try to please the critics. It's always great to listen to criticism if you can learn and improve from it, but at the end of the day, you have to be you and write the song you want to write. A Willie Nelson song isn't going to be the same as a Rolling Stones song. Everyone likes different things, and I've learned you just can't take it to heart and derail yourself from that passion.

Q: What are some of your wins our proudest moments from this past year? Have you learned anything from them?
My proudest achievements that I consider "wins" are every little step I can make to share my music with people. I've been played on national and international radio stations and I've been nominated for 6 awards this year and won once! Literally my first trophy ever in my existence. I got chosen to play at SXSW in March. It makes me very proud to say I've done this on my own. I've learned that if you want something bad enough and you put in positive work, anything is possible. Just because people tell you no, or you don't have a manager/agent doesn't mean you can't do this. It's completely possible.

Q: How has Frettie or the Frettie community contributed to any of your successes you’ve had this year?
I attribute much of my success to Frettie. The interview was my first in my career and it showed that someone other than my parents and local following believe in my talent and showcased it. It opened a bunch of doors and I will forever be thankful for Frettie! The community is incredible. Even if you just sit back and listen to the other songwriters on the site, you grow as a writer. It puts those "huh, that's a great song, I wouldn't have thought of writing a lyric that way" into your mind. A "maybe I'll try that next time" for songwriting. Frettie opens up the mind of a songwriter but it's done with heart and respect to one another. There isn't bashing or egos. It's real and truthful perspective from industry big shots to someone who is just starting to write.

Q: What have you gained from being a part of the Frettie community since you joined a year ago?
I've gained knowledge and get to see all the great creativity out there. But I've also built friendships and networked. I've become friends with Caryn Womack, another Showcased Songwriter and we'd love the opportunity to play a show together in the future. I'm from NY and she is from GA, I would have never have met her if it wasn't for Frettie and this community.

Q: Have you adapted Frettie into your songwriting process?
For sure! One of my first thoughts when wanting to release a demo is, "Is this Frettie ready?". Since joining Frettie it has been more than anything I could have ever imagined.

Q: What's your next goal as a songwriter?
My next goal as a songwriter is to step it up to the next level. Ideally I would love to get signed to a record label. I write so frequently and record these songs, it would make the most sense and of course all of the other benefits that go along with it. I would love to get my music and lyrics out to a much larger audience.

Q: Thanks for your time Emma, how can the songwriting world get in contact with you for any future opportunities?
You can connect with me on Frettie, my website, Youtube, Twitter and Facebook.


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