The Soul of Mount Clemens
The day that I decided to subscribe to TIDAL and opened the desktop app, there she was. I had an inexplicable desire to listen to her music, but I wanted to wait until the end of my day when I could relax with a glass of wine and fully enjoy the experience. It was near midnight when I started to give a listen and it would be a gross understatement to say that I was not at all disappointed. I was instantly captivated by the strumming of the guitar at the beginning, but what followed truly blew me away. The moment I heard Emma Guzman’s gentle, rich crooning, I melted into my seat. I don’t recall how long I repeatedly played “Strawberries”, but it was a long time before I dug into her TIDAL profile for more.
Emma’s heartland-styled songs are pleasantly addicting. For me, it evokes memories of my childhood, reminding me of blue skies and white, fluffy clouds; chasing butterflies, catching bees, climbing trees, and laying in the grass in the field across the street with a friend (I actually wrote an editorial piece about that). Her musicianship and songwriting abilities far outshine those with twice her experience. TIDAL, the house that Jay Z built, seems to think so as well. She’s probably too humble to say it, so I’ll say it instead: there is definitely a Grammy in her future.
You haven’t much information on your social media, but from the photographs I’ve seen on your Facebook page, it appears that you’ve been performing since you were very young. When did you begin singing and playing guitar?
I started my journey as a musician by auditioning for "Annie" the musical when I was 8 years old. From then on I've been singing, I picked up the guitar at 9 years old, and I started writing songs at age 10; the rest is history! I've always loved the unique expression that music can provide.
There are many musicians who come from musical families, would that be true of you as well?
No one else in my immediate family is a musician, actually! I get asked this question a lot. My dad started encouraging me after listening to me sing in the car along to Bob Dylan and Townes Van Zandt as a child, and I haven't stopped singing since. It's wonderful to have such a supportive family, even if none of them are musically inclined themselves.
Where in Detroit are you from and what was it like growing up there?
I'm actually from Mount Clemens, it's in the Metro-Detroit area. I've always been quiet and kept to myself throughout my childhood so growing up here was nothing out of the ordinary. I never got out much to experience the city- I grew up in fantasy lands in all the many books I would read.
Did your acting prepare you for performing in front of an audience? I know recording artists who have expressed being nervous on stage for the first time, but you look comfortable doing it.
It has played a huge role in being comfortable in front of an audience. It has a lot to do with the fact that I grew up onstage- large audiences don't phase me. It's when the crowds are smaller, and the room isn't dark, and I can see everyone's eyes on me; that's when the nerves start to creep in. But it's worth it since I'm doing what I love to do.
What kind of guitar did you start off with and what do you play now? Have you ever played another musical instrument other than a guitar?
I started with a mini Martin, and now I have a 000-17 Martin. I'm partial to Martin guitars, and I don't think I'd ever switch to another manufacturer. I can play a bit of piano, and in school, I played around on the clarinet and the oboe, but the guitar is definitely my main instrument.
I’ve seen photographs and videos of some of your live performances. What are some of your best memories of performing in front of an audience? Is there anything particularly memorable?
There are so many memorable moments, it's hard to pinpoint one. With playing music it's hard to pick a favorite memory because I cherish every moment of it. I'm happy to have something in my life that I'm so passionate about. Now more than ever, I appreciate every show that I play so much. I miss performing live, that energy is unmatched.
I’ve heard you say elsewhere that “Strawberries” is something of a personal account? But the lyrics in some of your other songs sound akin to something you would expect to hear from someone twice your age, either observed or lived. Where do these great stories come from? How are you able to channel these emotions and situations?
”Strawberries” is a sort of "coming-of-age" tune where I was dealing with the bittersweet feeling of getting older and losing sight of my childhood. It's something I try to hold onto, but there are so many memories I know I've lost that I wish I could keep with me. I try to focus on the present as much as I can, as a way to make up for lost time. I think I owe my ability to channel my emotions into songwriting to my love for literature. Ever since I was little I was always an avid reader, and I was always interested in expanding my vocabulary. Listening to great music helps, too. I draw inspiration from a myriad of songwriters and literary works. I'm constantly finding out more about myself and the world around me, so I feel like I'm never truly out of things to write about.
Homage to the Man in Black
In one of your photos, there’s an image of you posing like Johnny Cash in that iconic photo of him with his middle finger raised. He’s obviously one of your influences, but who else did you admire growing up?
I grew up listening to CDs my dad put on in the car. Johnny Cash, Townes Van Zandt, The Drive-By Truckers, Bob Dylan, The Magnetic Fields- the list of amazing songwriters I grew up listening to and admiring is endless. I'm thankful that my dad fed me a steady diet of killer songs.
What are some of your favorite songs from your first two albums and why?
An older song I'm particularly fond of is my tune Weeping Willow from my 2017 album, "Roots." I was dealing with the bitter emotions of a lost friendship, and the song helped me release some of my resentment and sorrow. I hid some of the juicy details with metaphors and other literary devices, but that's half of the fun of a song, and that's what helps a lot of other people relate to my emotions, as well.
The last time I ever purchased a CD was in 2014 and I hate that there aren’t any liner notes to be found in digital music. What artists and producers did you work with on your albums and recent releases?
My first and second albums both have physical copies available. I worked with a few different producers and many artists on my first album, my second album was recorded and produced by Nikki and Kelly Keneipp, and my recent singles featured Greg Beyer, Steve Stetson, Steve Lehane, James Anthony, and Aaron Jonah Lewis. The singles were recorded at Rust Belt Studios.
When you’re an artist, being creative is the most important thing, but surely the accolades you’ve received thus far are humbling. No? How does it feel to be recognized for your craft?
I've never put much weight into how much recognition I receive for my work, but it is nice knowing that people appreciate what I do. It's definitely true that creativity is important, but for me, I think what I value most is honesty, genuine emotion, and the passion I have for the music I'm making. As long as I have those things, I know what I'm doing is right.
PRNewsfoto:TIDAL
I recall reading somewhere that you applied to the TIDAL Unplugged music endowment program and were one of five finalists chosen. How did that come about, and how did it feel to be granted such an opportunity?
My friend and fellow musician Brian Rozman actually forwarded the submission link to me. I filled it out and waited around, and it was such a surprise to me that I was a finalist. It was an amazing experience having that support from TIDAL, it's something I'll carry with me for the rest of my life. It was a push in the right direction, and I hope I can keep up the momentum going forward.
This year you released music for the first time since 2017: “Woman” in May, “Irene” in June, and “Strawberries” in July. It all sounds a lot more “polished” than your previous efforts, if I may say so. Are we looking at an EP or another album in the near future?
The singles were recorded in a more "professional" setting than my previous works, and I've grown a lot as a musician through the years. My first two albums came out when I was 13 and 15. I am in the beginning phases of recording a new album, so that can be expected in the next 6 months or so.
You mentioned to me last week that you start college to begin studying journalism this fall. Is your pursuit of becoming a journalist in addition to your music, or is it a fallback just in case your music doesn’t take off?
It's a bit of both! I enjoy interviewing my fellow musicians and being able to tell their stories through my writing as well as telling my own story through my songs. Music will always be my number one passion, but I am also aware of the cruel world and the fact that I may need to make a living through another avenue. So I figured that journalism feeds into one of my passions, writing, so I would enjoy doing it alongside music, or worst case scenario having it as my main career.
Now, I know this is random, but being a cat person, I have to ask: why did you name your cat “Ham”? Is the name biblical or gastronomical?
The name "Ham" actually comes from a song by a band I love called Palehound. The song isn't available on any streaming platforms, but there's a video of them playing it live on YouTube. The song is titled, 'Abraham and His New Healthy Food.' We shortened it from Abraham to just "Ham" as a cute little nickname. He's a very special cat!
Watch the live performance video of "Irene" from TIDAL Unplugged artist Emma Guzman.
