In Conversation With #152 - Emma Bradley
Young London songwriter Emma Bradley has just released her debut EP ‘Perfumed By You’ via tmwrk records - which features production credits from the likes of Will Canzoneri (Vampire Weekend), Jack Rochon (Charlotte Day Wilson) and James Jacob (Celeste, Ellie Goulding, Little Simz). This collection of songs touches on intense emotions like anxiety, heartbreak with ideas of resilience, strength and hope creating a strong debut for Emma. She took a moment to talk to us about how the release came together.
Hey there Emma, how are you? So your debut EP is out now - how does it feel to have it out there in the world?
Hey! I'm doing good, thank you! Ahh yes, it is honestly so surreal. Some of these songs I've been holding onto and holding so close to my heart for so long that it is really crazy to have them out in the world. I'm really excited for people to hear them!
It is called ‘Perfumed By You’ - does that have a certain meaning behind it?
Perfumed by You is a song I wrote four years ago, so it's the oldest song on the EP in that respect. When I wrote it I put a demo on Soundcloud and that's how my manager found me and how I'm in the place I'm in now, so I wanted to pay a little homage to my soundcloud demo days. But I also feel like the concept really encapsulates the general theme of the EP; just the idea of being affected by a person in some way whether romantically or platonically, someone who's brought hurt to you or someone who's brought you goodness. The 'perfume' idea is like someone leaving an effect/ trace on you which can be good or bad. I feel like that captures the mood/story of the project.
Where was it recorded? Any behind the scenes stories from the creative process you are happy to share with us?
Perfumed By You and Malibu were made remotely and I tracked my own vocals in my bedroom, we love a little lockdown project! That was super fun and a really relaxed / different way to work. Over and Out was recorded at Strongroom Studios in London which is just lovely and I always feel very safe making music there. Finally, I'll Be Outside was recorded at my friend's house, which was also a relaxed and lovely setting. A fun fact is that for Over and Out we ended up using the original demo vocals on the song. They just had a really raw and imperfect feeling to them which felt right and like the only way the song should be.
Do you have a favourite lyric on the EP? If so, which one and why?
Ahh it's so hard to choose! I have a soft spot for 'Trying to breathe but the air is perfumed by you'. I also really love 'Watch the blood drain from the face of the sky, I know why, oh I know why I feel alone at night' from I'll Be Outside. We actually made handwritten IG stickers for some of them if you search "emmabradley" on there.
What are the key themes and influences on the EP?
I'm really inspired by film music and that whole sound world, especially piano and orchestral instruments and arrangements. I think that comes across on the EP, there's definitely a big acoustic foundation to the songs as all of them started at the piano. The sonics on Over and Out are heavily Tim Burton inspired, specifically Edward Scissorhands, which is my all time favourite film. I just love the dreamy magical atmosphere in the film and the soundtrack is incredible. I'd say the key themes were nostalgia, platonic love, unrequited love, loneliness and sensitivity.
Now the EP is out there, what next for you?
Hopefully going to do some live shows which is exciting. And lot's of songwriting!