“Save Me continues to light a homing beacon in to the hearts of all those supporting it. We caught up with Emma to find out where her career began and what influences that angelic ‘Emma Lock’ vocal.”
- BEATSMEDIA:
You started singing in high school. Do you think it was around that time in your life when you decided you wanted to pursue this as a career?
- EMMA LOCK:
No not really, I only wanted to start a career after college. When I was in college I would sing with a great friend of mine Justin, his dad owned a record company and had a superb studio, we would hang out there quite a lot and Jam together. When I left college and started Daffodil picking, I spent a few months writing songs in and out the rain whilst picking flowers, then I met my first love who opened doors in my mind and made me see things in ways I’d never looked at before. To cut a long story short I met up with a band one evening at a Beach Party and they invited me to go on tour with them, I was very free back then had no responsibilities, so I said yes. Whilst touring I decided I wanted to pursue a musical career. So I broke up with my first love very dramatically, and decided to follow my dreams, but at that time in my life I hadn’t realised how hard becoming a musician really was. It left me feeling isolated and very challenged to say the least. It took what seemed to be a lifetime to gather the right tools to be able to write and sing professionally, to this day I still find it hard but I feel I’m more confident now with my recent releases.
- BEATSMEDIA:
Who gave you the inspiration to become a singer, most vocalists are inspired by other artists, who did you want to be like back then?
- EMMA LOCK:
I wasn’t inspired by anyone, I know it sounds strange, but this was my own mini mission. I could sing but I was poor as a child growing up, I couldn’t even afford to buy any music. I spent most my time in fields, collecting wood and creating artistic structures. As a Romany gypsy I didn’t really go to school that much either, I was taught to survive of the land. I’d go hunting, and gathering whilst others would be at school, and sadly whenever I did go to school I was bullied for being different, so I never saw the sense in it really. My mum enjoyed the’ Pete Tong’ show and she would record the shows on tapes for me. Even the tape player we had at that time was one we found. I would listen to that in the fields whilst making my corn dollies and oiling my nan up in the baking sun. I remember my nan sharing her life stories of being in the war, healing people and card readings.
- BEATSMEDIA:
How did your parents feel about your chosen path to become a vocalist, were they in full support?
- EMMA LOCK:
My mother has always wanted me to be happy, she thinks that I should be happy with a bowl of rice and can’t understand why my goals are so high. My Father who lives in Norway is very proud of me too, but I don’t know what he thinks about my career choices, I guess I’ve just never asked him.
- BEATSMEDIA:
How did you create the Emma Lock voice, did you have any vocal training?
- EMMA LOCK:
I’ve had a little vocal training but nothing too long winded, just a few classes here and there. I have dyslexia so I hear words differently, I have to break them up in to sounds. However, I have worked hard and had a lot of help from producers who have been kind enough to guide me through, but now I have my own studio and I am confident enough to hear what I want to say and write alone.
- BEATSMEDIA:
What great tips did you learn from your teacher?
- EMMA LOCK:
To open up my voice more I had to sing from my stomach not my lungs or throat, and to keep my bum tight (I know funny hey)
“Hiding to nothing, was written for someone special and only that person knows what It’s truly about!”
- BEATSMEDIA:
The track you made together with Shogun ‘Save Me’ has hit #1 spot on Beatport and Audiojelly. How does it feel to know your music has reached out to so many people?
- EMMA LOCK:
Amazing, I was in shock for a few days, I even had a little cry. I have worked so hard for years and then to have my vocal mixed with Shoguns fine art, it was bound to touch people. I never thought it would go to number one on both sites. I can’t express in words how proud I feel..
- BEATSMEDIA:
‘Hiding To Nothing’ and ‘Cut And Run’ are two other tunes that smashed the radio shows. Share with us the inspiration and meaning of those beautiful hits?
- EMMA LOCK:
Thanks a lot, ‘Hiding to nothing‘ was written for someone and only that person knows what it’s about and I’d like to keep it that way really. But to give you a rough idea, It’s all about doing something because It’s fun, it doesn’t matter if it succeeds or not, It’s the taking part that counts. ‘Cut and run’ is about giving your everything to a person, to be then hurt and left outside when your soul is in them..a little bit like a vampire they ‘Cut and Run‘ too.
- BEATSMEDIA:
Can you tell us a bit more about your creative process when coming up with a song?
- EMMA LOCK:
OK the best way for me to decide this is through pictures, on a recent track I have written called ‘Imprisoned’ with ’shogun’, I would play the instrumental and sit in the middle of my front room, close my eyes and think of things that the instrumental is trying to say. I open up to another place and start to imagine I am there, almost like an out of body experience but in the mind, like meditation or a trance. I take a trip to a place in my imagination and this encourages me to start writing and singing and that’s how I do it. A song can take me up to a week to write, but a few days to structure..
- BEATSMEDIA:
Now that your a Mum, how has your production routine changed?
- EMMA LOCK:
My little boy, has been unwell recently and basically that means I am on demand 24- 7 at present. I have to give up on self to be there for him, which can sometimes be really frustrating when you have deadlines to keep. When you become a mum, you think Oh yes the babies here, I can do this and I can do that, but no, you can’t period. The sleepless nights are difficult, and I find it tough being creative when I’m tired. At least I can write quickly and it only takes a few hours to record on my part so It’s not too bad. I have a good family that gives me a lot of support and my sons father is amazing with him, but sometimes even that doesn’t work when my son needs his mummy. Someone said to me a while back, “Music is like no other World” and they are right, but you have to be fully prepared to keep pushing hard because the music industry is so very fickle, It’s a hard one to explain, I am there but not totally there just yet…
- BEATSMEDIA:
You said it took a while for you to gain confidence to sing in front of a crowd naturally. Do you still get nervous when you perform at big events, If so can you tell us how you combat that nervousness?
- EMMA LOCK:
Yes I do , always the only way really is to loose myself in the music…
- BEATSMEDIA:
You’ve been working as a musician for 10 years now. If you were to provide suggestions to new and unsigned artist, what would they be?
- EMMA LOCK:
The Music industry is such a tough game, I would suggest staying in tune with your self and have fun. The music you produce will speak for itself and guide you along the right path.
“Cornwall it’s north course is rough and wild, and the south coast warm and peaceful.”
- BEATSMEDIA:
We’ve heard you have a ‘climbing wall’ at your place. I take it you enjoy climbing in your spare time? In addition what has been the most challenging cliff you’ve ever climbed?
- EMMA LOCK:
Not quite yet, I am in the process of having one built, it takes a lot of planning to get the stones in the right places, so I’m still in the process of drawing up the plans at the moment. I started climbing two years before I had my little boy, I love it, especially ab-sailing over bridges, It’s such a free feeling, I haven’t done that much climbing since having the baby though. My beloved family and music take up most of my days. Climbing isn’t about the heights though, It’s about holding on and strengthening your arms- fingers and legs, I haven’t climbed a whole cliff yet, as it can be very dangerous and you really need the right gear to do this type of sport, it’s a hell of a lot of fun though :).
- BEATSMEDIA:
What else do you find yourself doing in your spare time, do you attend any local shows and events, if so can you name the last show you went to?
- EMMA LOCK:
Cornwall where I live has some of the most amazing summer festivals and parties so I go to those quite a lot, the last one was ‘Mazy Day’. I often travel out and see local bands too, which is great fun.
- BEATSMEDIA:
If you could choose one location that reflects your personality the most, which location would you choose?
- EMMA LOCK:
Wow that’s an amazing question, well I would have to say ‘Cornwall’ really, it’s north course is rough and wild, and the south coast warm and peaceful.
- BEATSMEDIA:
If you were given a pocket watch that could zap you in to the future of any particular time and location, what time and place would you visit and why?
- EMMA LOCK:
I’d love to visit Ireland again, It’s one of the most amazing places I have ever been to. I especially loved Dingle and Dublin. I’d also like to catch up with some old friends and producers there not to mention the ’round’ I have waiting for me ; ) I would love to perform at ‘Glastonbury Festival’ one day, so feel free to zap me there on stage. It would be a dream come true, I remember seeing another vocalist in the dance tent a few years ago and thought, one day Emma that could be you. Furthermore, I would love to travel to the coast of ‘France and Spain’ gigging, I went there as a child, so I guess I am just recalling upon good times..
“I am overwhelmed by the support and kindness I have received, it has made my grey skies blue, my love reaches out to each and every one of you,”
- BEATSMEDIA:
After reflecting a bit on your past and bringing you back to the present, can you tell us where you would like to see yourself in let’s say, 10 years time?
- EMMA LOCK:
Well personally I would like to be gigging a whole lot more, touring and making videos. I’d love to work in the forefront and behind the scenes within the music industry and film. I’d also like to have a band too..but the future will take me where I need to go so we shall see what the result will be.
- BEATSMEDIA:
Can you tell everyone back at home what else you have in store for 2010? Any new tracks on the fly at the moment?
- EMMA LOCK:
Since releasing “Hiding to nothing” I have had quite a few producers contact me, some of the music has been great, and some quite average. For me the track has to include that magical spark, otherwise I don’t feel excited by it and can’t work with it.Just recently 3 amazing tracks have been sent my way which I am working on at the moment, this will take me in to a different style of dance which I’m really looking forward to. Don’t get me wrong I love trance, but I’ve always been an all rounder.
- BEATSMEDIA:
Can you share with us your website | Facebook | Myspace and Twitter Links?
- EMMA LOCK: www.emmalock.com | www.myspace.com/musicemmalock Facebook x2 singeremmalock
- BEATSMEDIA:
And lastly, do you have any special messages for loyal fans and friends that have helped you within your career?
- EMMA LOCK:
I am overwhelmed by the support and kindness I have received, it has made my grey skies blue, my love reaches out to each and every one of you. A big thanks goes out to the producers and DJ’s that have helped me, and also huge thanks to John Wood for all the wonderful photo’s.
“It’s been a real pleasure catching up with you today. Emma, you truly are an incredible young lady. I speak on behalf of everyone via BEATSMEDIA when I wish you the very best of luck in 2010 and of course throughout your entire career.”
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