Today we’d like to introduce you to Emily Youel
Hi Emily, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
“Emily Rhea” emerged from a period of transformation and artistic renewal. After years of singing, performing, and even teaching elementary music, I felt the pull to fully embrace my solo music career. In 2023, I took a leap of faith, leaving behind my teaching job and embarking on a journey to New York with just a guitar, a one-way ticket, and a desire for change. The time spent in New York became a wellspring of inspiration, shaping new songs and friendships that guided me forward.
Returning home, I felt a deep need for a project that could evolve with me. “Emily Rhea” became that vision—a name that combines my first name with “Rhea,” the Greek goddess of the earth, symbolizing my love for nature and the freedom to explore new musical directions. This project has been defined by a hands-on approach to production, empowering me to bring my songs to life exactly as I imagine them. With each track, I’m able to pour in the years of songwriting, performance, and personal growth that led me to this new chapter.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Throughout my journey with the “Emily Rhea” project, I’ve faced several obstacles that have tested my resolve and helped shape me into a more authentic artist. While studying music in college gave me a solid foundation in theory and technique, it also fostered performance anxiety and a sense of imposter syndrome when it came to singing, making it difficult to fully trust my own voice. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic brought another challenge, as it shut down the live music scene just as my previous project was gaining momentum. This pause left me feeling lost, unsure of where I was meant to go next. Despite the frustration, it also gave me time to reflect, ultimately leading to the decision to part ways with my old project, which no longer felt like a true reflection of myself. Starting over from scratch was daunting, but I felt a deep intuition to create something more genuine. Teaching myself music production became both a challenge and a liberating experience—learning to transform my ideas into fully realized songs allowed me to reclaim control of my creative process. Each of these struggles has shaped “Emily Rhea” into a project that feels truly authentic, and every challenge has been a step toward creating music that feels like me.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
My artistic process involves a lot of time for exploration of different production possibilities with a goal of staying true to the original heart of the song. Some of my songs are more electronic and cinematic while others are more acoustic and intimate. As a lover of pop✿music it often tends to fit into that world. Some of my biggest inspirations are Ariana Grande, Holly Humberstone, Bon Iver, and Lorde.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emily__rhea/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emilyrheamusic
- Twitter: https://x.com/emily__rhea
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUTgCbix_nk
