Meet Emily Guitar: a singer/songwriter based out of Toronto. Her music explores feminine identity and ongoing themes of self growth through. From her bedroom studio, Emily creates a blend of indie pop, with simple and catchy accompaniment, along side warm emotional vocals.
Check out Girl Gang’s exclusive Q&A with her below.
1. How did you start get into making music?
“I grew up in a pretty musical household and I started singing when I was really young, I took vocal lessons in my church basement from the age of six. I also went to an art high school for musical theatre so I was lucky enough to be surrounded by some of the most talented musicians, it was hard to not want to create when you are around so many people who are.”
2. You’ve been releasing music for a few years now. What’s been the best part?
“I think the best about releasing music is knowing that I created something that I genuinely enjoy, and am lucky enough that others enjoy it as well and I am able to share it. It’s also really nice to be able to see my growth from my first single which was recorded in my high school practice room and consisted of only two piano chords.”
3. If you could give one golden nugget of advice to a songwriter somewhere wanting to get started, what would it be?
“Be specific with your intention. I think the best lyrics are able to make you feel like you hear a new story, and it’s often within the details and specifics of lyrics that the uniqueness comes out.”
– Emily Guitar
4. What is something people often assume about you, but get wrong?
“I think people may assume I have my shit together more than I do. In reality, I feel just as lost, if not more, as everyone else but I think I’ve also learned to be okay with that as long as I’m happy in the present.”
5. Your latest single “Honey” clearly explores feminine identity. Can you tell me what inspired the song and the process behind the writing/recording?
“The song explores the idea of ignoring mistreatment in a relationship because you are scared to confront it. This is something I and many of my friends have done in the past and I think in many ways it speaks to the idea that the fear of being perceived as the “crazy ex-girlfriend” is real. The song was inspired by not knowing how to be alone even if being with someone is clearly the worse option. I wrote this song very quickly in a matter of hours which is typically unusual for me, but in many ways, it was my way of saying everything I was never able to.”
6. How do you feel being a woman has impacted your journey as a musician?
“Unfortunately, as there is in any industry I have had offers or opportunities skewed for me due to the inappropriate actions of other men who I had worked or was supposed to work with. There is also there an element of having to prove myself as a songwriter, often times the assumption is I only have the ability to write a pop hit about love.”
7. Who are 3 female/LGBT bands/artists you are loving lately?
MBG – “Im Not In Luv”
Luna Li – “Cloud Castle”
Issy Wood – “Ceiling”
8. What’s coming up for you in 2023?
“I have another single on the way and Im releasing my EP which I’ve been working on for the last four years called “The Reward Project” which talks about female identity, recovery and growth. I also have more performances planned in Toronto and above all just want to keep creating…”