Today we’d like to introduce you to Emma Josephine
Hi Emma, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I broke my leg when I was 12 years old and since I couldn’t play sports anymore, my mom signed me up for guitar lessons. I instantly started writing songs and released an acoustic EP at 13 years old. I also began leading worship for youth group at my church.
I moved to Mankato for college to study Creative Writing. I did not expect to be pulled into the music program, but by my second semester I had declared a Music Industry major. This kickstarted my solo artistry and my performances around Mankato.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
When I was younger, I was terrified to be on stage in front of people. I’ve overcome my stage fright, but staying confident on stage can still be a challenge. I also find it difficult to balance the business side of being a singer/songwriter. Through lots of learning and experiences I have learned how to navigate the business space a lot better.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a Minnesotan singer/songwriter currently gigging around Mankato, the Twin Cities, and surrounding areas. As a songwriter, my style captures the lyrical power of Brandi Carlile, the folk flair of Emmylou Harris, and the rich storytelling of Nanci Griffith. My lyrics are brought to life with the melodies of an old soul and the nostalgia of growing up. I am most captivated by the ordinary: advice from an unknown woman at the bar, grass re-growing in my parking spot by my parents’ driveway, or a flat tire on the toll road in Indiana. Bringing these stories to song connects me with my listeners in a personal way.
I performed at the 32nd Annual Rock Bend Folk Festival, RibFest (Mankato, MN) and participated on a singer/songwriter panel at the Minnesota Original Music Festival. I have opened for a variety of artists including Mary Jane Alm and The Cactus Blossoms.
Being an independent musician is much more than songwriting and performance. I handle my own booking, marketing, social media, and live sound. This means a lot of email sending, venue research, and content creation. Majority of my work is not on stage but behind a computer. For me, working in a professional space means having a business perspective on my creative work.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
I have been performing in duos, trios, and band arrangements with City Mouse for almost two years. Their band has been performing for over 30 years together and are experienced in the Minnesota music scene. The guys in City Mouse have taught me countless lessons about stage presence, live sound, booking, and much more. They have backed me up for some of my larger shows, and I’ve been honored to share the stage with them. They support me and lift me up as a young performer.
The Music Industry program at Minnesota State University, Mankato has contributed greatly to my success as a singer/songwriter as well. I have advanced my learning in songwriting, music business, and even singing technique throughout this program.
Mary Jane Alm was the first act I opened for, and it was influential for me to have that experience with such a strong female artist.
I have continued leading worship in churches, as I have been since I was 12 years old. My church community has been supportive of me since I arrived in Mankato in 2022.
My biggest cheerleaders, of course, are my parents. I don’t think they’ve missed a show, and they will drive miles to support me any day of the week. I also have some local cheerleaders, Barb, Sue, and Nanci. My ladies have supported me since my first show in Mankato and it means so much to me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sites.google.com/view/justemmajomusic/home
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justemmajomusic/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Emma-Josephine/
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7kIGLRUGjUCgKJQlHQ8174
