Today we’d like to introduce you to Emmy Woods.
Emmy, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I grew up in rural North Dakota where I spent a lot of time chasin’ butterflies, playing kick the can with my brothers and sister (7 of us total!), and singing to myself. I became obsessed with the recorder in the fourth grade, then trumpet when I started in the school band. At 13, I picked up my mom’s guitar and started teaching myself chords and old folk songs. Wasn’t long before I was hooked and started writing some of my own! I haven’t stopped playing, singing, and writing since.
Until very recently, most of my songs were only shared with friends and family around an occasional summer campfire. It was their support, love, and encouragement that made me want to start sharing my music more. In 2021, I reached out to local sound engineer, Jason McGlone to see about putting an album or two together. I can’t imagine recording those first albums with anyone else and am so grateful to him for his support. Not only is he one of the best sound engineers around, but his kind and generous soul also makes him a pleasure to work with. Thanks to him I have much of my solo work to date available on streaming platforms (Spotify, Apple Music, and more).
Performing with any regularity is also very new to me. A little over a year ago, I decided I wanted to try and start playing out more. I started going to Open Mic Minneapolis, a weekly event hosted by JT Viele at Sociable Cider Werks. The supportive and kind community I found there has really helped me grow both as a musician and performer! I still go as often as I can. Whether you’re trying to build a music career, want a spot to hang out and share an occasional tune, or you just enjoy listening to local music, it’s a wonderful place to be on a Monday!
One of the first gigs I played in Minneapolis St. Paul was at an event called Twin Cities Songwriter Rounds. At the Rounds, which happen twice a month at White Squirrel Bar and 331 Club, host Taylor James Donskey brings together 4-5 songwriters to share their stories and music. Through my participation in this awesome event, I’ve met so many cool people, musicians and music fans alike, who have helped me with everything from booking gigs, building a network, and feeling a sense of community and belonging in the Minneapolis music scene. Another group of folks who have really supported me this last year is my band! Working with phenomenal violinist/guitarist Jake Johnson, bass wizard Bob Delage, local keys legend Lydia Lecher, and percussive genius Brody Kucera has been such a gift. They bring so much to the music; come on out to an Emmy Woods and the Red Pine Ramblers show and you’ll see what I mean!
It’s a dream come true to be performing and sharing my music, so I get a little teary-eyed when I think of all the folks who have made that possible! The twin cities music scene is so full of love and light and I’m incredibly grateful to be a part of it.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Sharing my music and performing with any regularity is a fairly new experience for me! Many of the obstacles I have overcome have been internal. I have always wanted to perform more, but I was also always quick to come up with a reason I couldn’t! I thought I was too nervous/awkward onstage and that people wouldn’t relate to my songs. I still have days when I just find it really hard to like myself and my work.
Which of course makes it hard to believe anyone else will or does either! I haven’t completely cured myself of those negative thought patterns but I’ve gotten better at ignoring them and challenging them. Surrounding myself with encouraging and supportive folks in the music community has really helped. It’s one of the things that I adore about the twin cities music scene; we prop each other up and cheer each other on!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
With hints of country, blues, and folk, my music is at once accessible/familiar, and unique. My songwriting and composing draw from a wide range of influences, including Natalie Merchant, Fiona Apple, James Taylor, Billie Holiday, Allison Russel, Emmylou Harris, Gillian Welch, Ben Harper, Dessa, John Prine, and Patty Griffin.
I play both solo and with a full band, Emmy Woods and the Red Pine Ramblers. Infused with the rural prairie landscape where I’ve spent much of my life, my music definitely pairs well with Apple orchards and farmers’ markets, some of my favorite gigs to date. However, we absolutely love to perform at breweries, coffee shops, and larger concert venues as well.
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and are any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
The COVID-19 crisis definitely deepened my gratitude for people and the community. I spent a lot of time alone during the long months of lockdown and realized there is so much that I inadvertently take for granted as I go about my day! Something as simple as a hug from a loved one or a smile from a stranger at the grocery store is a beautiful and precious moment. I also started practicing mindfulness and meditation during the lockdown.
I have found that these practices help me bring more awareness to the present moment and what it’s offering me. As someone who gets very lost in anxious thoughts sometimes, these practices have really helped me become more present in my life, an experience for which I am very grateful.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://emmywoods.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/emmywoods_music
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090071273380
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCG5RYBWzvgGfrz8kAZP0pTg
Image Credits
Tom Smouse, Katie Viles, Abrianne, and Lara Royer
