We had a chat with vibrant rising artist Emilie Reid following the release of her synth-laden and cinematic new single ‘House of the Silent’
An emerging, self-produced artist who is rapidly establishing a distinctive, pop-tinged style that is packed full of unique textures and creative ideas, Emilie Reid is somebody who has placed herself firmly on our radar with her latest single ‘House of the Silent’, a gloriously synthy, upbeat new release that feels cinematic and ambitious throughout.
For somebody who has been releasing music for just four months, the new release is bursting with character and personality, the Emilie already having a fully-formed sound and style that is brimming with swagger and confidence, making for a retrofuturist riot that feels as memorable as anything you’re likely to hear today. We love this new release, and had a chat with Emilie to find out a bit more about the artist behind it and her plans for the future.
Who TF is Emilie Reid?
I’m a producer, singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. Grew up in London, based in LA now. I write and produce music.
How long have you been making music?
I’ve been writing songs for a while, but I only started actually making stuff and being in the studio a few months ago. I had songs or beginnings of songs sitting around that I never did anything with.
Why do you make music?
It’s my favorite thing in the world to do. It’s the biggest joy in my life — even before I was actively making my own things, I was obsessed with music, musicians and, of course, playing instruments.
What are your biggest influences?
Quincy Jones as a producer — it seems like the usual suspect, but he really is my north star. Prince as an artist has had a huge impact on me, as an instrumentalist and performer. Lindsey Buckingham is my guitar hero; he doesn’t use a pick, like me, which I love! He’s also Rock ‘n’ Roll with a bit of Rockabilly and Pop thrown in. He’s just amazing. As a lyricist, Stevie Nicks can never get enough praise. She is an extraordinary songwriter.
What would you say has been your best moment so far?
Quiet moments, when I’ve had unexpected people come up to me and say a song meant something to them. It’s never the “type” of person you would imagine, and that’s dope.
How would you describe your sound to somebody unfamiliar with it?
I guess at the moment it’s Pop-Rock with Disco elements. But there’s a darkness to my lyrics which makes it less genre-specific. Each song becomes a film in my head, so there’s always a dramatic, cinematic quality too.
What’s your dream “I’ve made it” moment?
There are certainly specific venues and festivals I would like to play, but really it would be to create one of the great albums of all time, and, of course, play guitar with Lindsey Buckingham.
We love your new single ‘House of the Silent,’ what more can you tell us about it?
That makes me so happy, thank you. Well, this song is where I really began to find my sound a little more. I had come through a lot of things, but realizing there’s a part of you that can never change — and that it’s simply redirected — that’s at the heart of the lyrics, without being too specific. Sonically, there is an ecstasy and a chaos, and that was deliberate. The quiet intro came from this image I had in my head of a lone figure playing a piano far away in a beautiful house (which was me playing it in the studio, of course), but that kind of objective look at someone — never really knowing what’s going on with them.
What else do you have planned for the near future?
I have a new single coming out in a week, and that will be the beginning of an exciting new musical chapter. After that, I’m really hoping to get touring soon.
And finally, who is your biggest fan right now?
Not kidding, I have a few super fans and I love them! They are all so kind and write me beautiful little DMs about stuff, and it honestly couldn’t make me happier. That’s what it’s all about.
