Emily Davis, the critically-acclaimed local singer-songwriter, took to the stage with her band, the Open Road, to launch her sophomore record, Undone, earlier this month at the Queen’s Theatre. The highly anticipated release of her self-produced second album marked a stylistic departure in Davis’ sound, drawing on country, folk and blues influences to tell her latest series of dark tales.
After taking a break during a personally tumultuous three years, Davis returns with Undone, which documents her personal journey through adversity. “A lot has happened since 2007. My dad passed away after a devastating terminal illness, my relationships went to the brink, and I left for a while to travel the world because I was no good to anybody. I even stopped writing,” Davis says. “Time off made me realise I was being shaped by these experiences, not beaten down. It was analogous to being sculpted by a chisel out of rock. I felt each little nick, but the resulting shape was worth it. I needed to write an album that took a snapshot of this time in my life; definitely darker, but with an underlying sense of hope.”
Emily Davis was named by Music SA as an independent recording artist who could be “catapulted to the highest echelons of her profession” after her debut album “Moving in Slow Motion” was released in 2007. Produced by Monique Brumby, her first release earned her successful national tours and performances at WomAdelaide and Peatsridge Festivals, as well as supports for Clare Bowditch, C W Stoneking and The Audreys.
I was lucky enough to catch up with Emily after her album launch to find out more about this enthralling artist.
When did you start being involved with music?
I did my first ever recording on a 1984 cassette player, in a green bathroom at age six. My sister joined in with some pretty amazing harmonies for a four year old and we made a little album of Christmas carols and a song that we could only remember the chorus to (I think it was a Dionne Warwick tune!). Anyway, from there I began learning guitar, and writing my own songs. I didn’t take it up professionally until I was about 22, when I was looking for an out to my law degree. I would have made a terrible lawyer, and I suspect the universe sighed great relief at my career move!
Has music always a big passion of yours?
Music has been the one constant throughout my life. As a performer, a listener and a writer, it’s made me a whole person. I’ve tried to do other things but all roads always lead back to music. I feel like my life is one big soundtrack. I’m lucky that I grew up in a house where music was always playing, mix tapes were made for long drives, and jam sessions just erupted at parties. Life has been one giant, long running soundtrack.
I also noticed that you’ve done a bit of work on a couple of film scores and also on the production side of things, do you prefer being on the stage as a soloist or more so behind the scenes?
I really enjoyed creating sound scapes for film, it was a great brain exercise for me. Learning how to subtly compliment and enhance the action on the screen gave me a new found respect and insight into the people that do this for a living – the silent achievers. Producing music is a bunch of fun as well. I love locking the door in my home studio and coming out 13 hours later with uninhibited creativity. The hours slip by, and I hardly notice. The behind the scenes stuff is almost more for one’s self, whereas the performance is for the band and the crowd. I love both the same.
For those who have not heard your music before, how would you classify your style of music?
Goth country, with a tinge of gypsy folk, swampy blues, and a teeny bit of rock.
Who are your major influences?
At the moment I’d have to say Johnny Cash, Neil Young, the Frames, Calexico and a Hawk and a Hacksaw.
You say that ghostly and gothic themes are explored in Undone. Have you always been a spiritual person?
Spirituality is something that I’ve developed in later life. I grew up with a Catholic mother and an Atheist father, so I was given both sides of the coin from a young age. Spirituality, to me, is not just about what I think of the meta-physics of existence, but it’s the definition of your personal ethical code. That said, I’m a total paranormal happenings junkie. Ghosts, past lives, lucid dreaming, the works! I’m fascinated by the science that tries to explain it, but I understand there are things that absolutely cannot be explained. When I wrote the album, strange paranormal things started happening around me, and I couldn’t help but use those as the themes and inspiration for some of the tracks. I suppose my one message on talking to dead people, is that ghosts are as real as you make them.
What is next on the agenda for Emily Davis?
After hearing my answer back on the last question potentially some therapy or an intervention! But I will be returning to national touring and my first film clip will be shot in the next month as well! I’m also going to start a little recording side project with Adelaide blues maestro Cal Williams Jr. In addition, my partner and I are working on a concept of creating one night only, blink and its gone, venues around Adelaide. Using derelict buildings (of which Adelaide has plenty), ruins and unexpected spaces, we hope to come in, transform them for one night only, put on live local music and events and then pack down as though nothing ever happened there. Paranormal? Watch this space!
Emily Davis’ self-produced album, Undone, is available for sale on both CD and through iTunes.
For more information on Emily, please visit www.emilydavis.com.au
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