Q&A: Emily James Opens Up About the First Chapter of Her Two-Part EP Series
☆ BY Lauren Santia ☆
INSPIRED BY A TALE OF THE TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS THAT NATURALLY COME WITH LOVE — singer-songwriter Emily James delivers her side of the story with a two-part series titled The aLtErNaTeS. Part 1 is a dynamic and heartfelt EP that illustrates the toxic patterns of love, while the second and soon-to-be-released Part 2 paints a beautiful story of the complex healing journey that follows the storm caused by an unhealthy relationship.
James’ career has seen rapid growth, as she’s already worked with some of the industry’s top producers, including Jacquire King (Kings of Leon), Ian Fitchuk (Kacey Musgraves), and Ryan Hadlock (The Lumineers, Vance Joy). Using the lessons she’s learned from these mentors along the way, James now produces music herself and continues to allow herself to blossom by expanding into different genres.
Part of what makes James stand out is her willingness and ability to share through her music and corresponding visuals her vulnerability and true journey (both the good and the challenging). The aLtErNaTeS EP series is no exception — it’s just another testament to her poetic lyricism and genuine artistic expression.
Read below as James goes in depth about the EP’s story, creative process, and more.
LUNA: Hey, Emily, so great to meet you! The aLtErNaTeS, Pt. 1 beautifully illustrates the range of emotions that come along with the ebbs and flows of a relationship and its demise. What inspired you to turn this clever concept into the story arch of the EP?
JAMES: Thank you so much, that means a lot! The concept kind of revealed itself to me as the songs were being written, and I saw this storyline threading itself through them. It’s called The aLtErNaTeS because all of the songs are paired off into what I call “chapters.” I find that I tend to feel a lot of different emotions in any given scenario, rather than just simply “happy” or “sad,” so the pairs of songs are meant to display two alternate emotions about a single situation. With Part 1, there’s a push and pull of falling in love while recognizing something isn’t right but not wanting to admit that it’s in your power to change it.
LUNA: Is there a song that you feel most connected to? What does it mean to you?
JAMES: Ooh, that’s like picking a favorite child. They’re all special to me because they represent different things. Certain ones will resonate with me more than others, depending on what’s going on in my life. If I had to pick at this moment, I would say “One More Hit,” because I wrote it from a really honest place about my perspective on and patterns with love. I produced it myself, which I’m quite proud of, and lyrically and sonically I think it feels like “me.”
LUNA: I love how this whole project is going to be a two-part EP series! Can you tell us a bit about how the two EPs tie together into one concept? Is it through storyline, sound, or both?
JAMES: The two parts tie together mainly through the storyline. While The aLtErNaTeS, Pt. 1 is about unhealthy relationship patterns slowly revealing themselves and their ability to fully unravel us, Part 2 is about the healing journey that comes after that. The two EPs differ sonically in the sense that Part 1 is a bit more pulled back and restrained and Part 2 blooms and grows. I think the sonic differences between the two is significant because it is representative of the storyline and themes of the respective EPs.
LUNA: Love that! Can’t wait to hear Part 2 once it comes out. Has this project taught you anything about yourself as an artist?
JAMES: Oh, definitely. I think every project teaches me something new about myself as an artist, and as a person in general. The aLtErNaTeS makes me want to continue to explore outside of my creative box and has helped me really hone in on what kinds of production styles I connect to the most. I love having my fans be along for the story’s journey and seeing them get excited as each new piece of the story is revealed is really special.
LUNA: Are there any upcoming shows or tours fans can look forward to?
JAMES: There are some things in the works, but nothing to announce at the moment. Playing more live shows this year is a big goal of mine.
