With roots in Sweden and Japan, Emma Wahlin has traveled between America, Europe, and Asia since childhood. She's a truly borderless artist of the new generation.
After her 2018 debut, she quickly gained buzz across social media and the internet. She was even selected for Spotify's "Early Noise" program, a year-round program supporting notable newcomers, in February, garnering attention from all quarters. Since then, she has continued to make a distinctive presence with cutting-edge club music-infused tracks by renowned DJs and producers, combined with her natural vocals and catchy sense of melody.
The fifth installment of "A New Era Reflected by Sound," a series that explores the contemporary attitudes and mindsets of artists who are forging a new era of rapid change, features EMMA WAHLIN, a rising star taking to the world stage. We delve into her personality, as a member of Generation Z, just like Billie Eilish.
--I heard you took dance and musical theatre lessons from a young age.
Yes. My parents encouraged me to start taking ballet lessons when I was about four years old. After ballet, I learned hip hop, then jazz, and then contemporary, and have since studied a variety of dance styles. I just loved dancing. My interest in musicals began with auditions, influenced by a friend I danced with. That's where I discovered the joy of singing.
--Apart from music and dancing, were you passionate about anything else?
I loved drawing and daydreaming. I'd imagine fictional worlds and fly through the sky. I often created fantasy stories in my head. Many of the musicals I was involved in were fantasy-themed, so that may have influenced me as well.
--I've also read that you mentioned being influenced by the Disney Channel. If you had to name one show you particularly liked, it would be "Wizards of Waverly Place." I was a big fan of Selena Gomez, who starred in the series, and that's when I started listening to her music, which I think broadened my musical horizons. I was drawn to her voice, lyrics, personality, and everything about her.
--I hear you're currently attending an art school in LA. What are you majoring in and studying there?
I'm taking classical and jazz vocal classes, as well as songwriting classes, so my life has become quite busy (laughs). I'm the type of person who wants to pursue things I'm interested in.
There are many students at the school who are studying fields other than music, such as those who are trying to start their own fashion brands or studying video production. Making friends with such people is very inspiring.
--It seems like you're blessed with fellow competitors in the music industry as well.
Yes. I'm the type of person who gets motivated when I see people who are more skilled or talented than me, and I feel like I have to work harder, so I naturally end up hanging out with people like that. I watch their lessons and use them as role models.
--I heard you've lived in Japan for a long time. I imagine that there are big differences in how you view music and art in Japan and in LA, where you're currently based.
That's right. I think the way we perceive and think about art is completely different. In America, it's on a grander scale, or maybe even bolder. In comparison, Japan tends to be more detailed, or maybe more delicate. I find both interesting. There are a lot of people in America who are interested in Japanese music and art. I've experienced both environments, so I'd like to aim for a medium-sized expression.
--Your debut song, "Can't Have," released in 2018, garnered attention for being produced by Dutch DJ/producer duo Sick Individuals. How was the production process carried out?
They created the general framework for the song, and we made various changes as we recorded it in the studio. They would give me advice like, "Try improvising here," and I would try out ideas that came to mind on the spot. They ultimately put together the arrangement, and it was completed.
--At first glance, it seems like a love song, but the lyrics evoke deep emotions, which are also impressive.
The song is about "wanting something you can't have," and I think that applies not only to literal objects, but also to relationships and one's own life.
--I see.
There was a time when I was so depressed that I even thought about quitting music. I think this is linked to the feeling I had at the time: "There are things I want to do, but I can't do them."
--Your latest song, "Technicolor," is a song that consistently expresses the colorful worldview that the title conveys through the lyrics, sound, and music video.
The lyrics of "Technicolor" are also linked to my own life. When I was alone, the world wasn't that colorful. It was like black and white. But after I started interacting with various people, a lot more color was added to my world. That's how I feel. The lyrics of this song are sung with those feelings in mind.
--In addition to the aforementioned Sick Individuals, you've also collaborated with world-class producers such as Matthew Tishle and Kara Madden. What have you learned or realized through working with them?
Before I experienced full-scale recording, I was afraid of improvisation and improvisation. I thought, "I can't do it." However, as I continued to respond to the producer's requests, I began to enjoy adding my own style through ad-libs and improvisation. Gradually, I started to think for myself, like, "Next time I'll do it more like this," or "What about this?"
--I heard you've also studied songwriting. What direction do you think the works you create from scratch will take?
I want to create songs that convey my message to listeners. Not just songs that are comfortable and fun, but songs that have the feelings I want to convey behind the lyrics. I'm working hard to be able to create works like that. I plan to study. Recently, I've started using DAWs (a general term for software or systems for creating music on a PC) such as Ableton Live.
--Are these messages inspired by the various experiences you have in your daily life?
Yes. Looking at my friends of the same generation, I feel like a lot of them are feeling very depressed. I think there are many reasons for this, like comparing yourself to others on social media, but I hope to be able to support people like that through music. I want to convey positive messages in my work.
--I think this is a concern unique to Generation Z, the generation that has had social media and the internet close to them since they were old enough to understand. How do you use social media, etc., EMMA?
I've been allowed to have a cell phone since I was little, so I've always used social media. These days, I often get information about music, makeup, and fashion on Instagram and other platforms. In my case, seeing someone better than me inspires me, so I don't often get depressed because of it.
--Please tell us about your future prospects and dreams as an artist.
Finding my own individuality. I want to express that in a way that says, "This is EMMA WAHLIN." I kind of understand it internally, but I don't think I've been able to express it to the public yet. I also hope to become an artist who travels the world on world tours.
After her 2018 debut, she quickly gained buzz across social media and the internet. She was even selected for Spotify's "Early Noise" program, a year-round program supporting notable newcomers, in February, garnering attention from all quarters. Since then, she has continued to make a distinctive presence with cutting-edge club music-infused tracks by renowned DJs and producers, combined with her natural vocals and catchy sense of melody.
The fifth installment of "A New Era Reflected by Sound," a series that explores the contemporary attitudes and mindsets of artists who are forging a new era of rapid change, features EMMA WAHLIN, a rising star taking to the world stage. We delve into her personality, as a member of Generation Z, just like Billie Eilish.
--I heard you took dance and musical theatre lessons from a young age.
Yes. My parents encouraged me to start taking ballet lessons when I was about four years old. After ballet, I learned hip hop, then jazz, and then contemporary, and have since studied a variety of dance styles. I just loved dancing. My interest in musicals began with auditions, influenced by a friend I danced with. That's where I discovered the joy of singing.
--Apart from music and dancing, were you passionate about anything else?
I loved drawing and daydreaming. I'd imagine fictional worlds and fly through the sky. I often created fantasy stories in my head. Many of the musicals I was involved in were fantasy-themed, so that may have influenced me as well.
--I've also read that you mentioned being influenced by the Disney Channel. If you had to name one show you particularly liked, it would be "Wizards of Waverly Place." I was a big fan of Selena Gomez, who starred in the series, and that's when I started listening to her music, which I think broadened my musical horizons. I was drawn to her voice, lyrics, personality, and everything about her.
--I hear you're currently attending an art school in LA. What are you majoring in and studying there?
I'm taking classical and jazz vocal classes, as well as songwriting classes, so my life has become quite busy (laughs). I'm the type of person who wants to pursue things I'm interested in.
There are many students at the school who are studying fields other than music, such as those who are trying to start their own fashion brands or studying video production. Making friends with such people is very inspiring.
--It seems like you're blessed with fellow competitors in the music industry as well.
Yes. I'm the type of person who gets motivated when I see people who are more skilled or talented than me, and I feel like I have to work harder, so I naturally end up hanging out with people like that. I watch their lessons and use them as role models.
--I heard you've lived in Japan for a long time. I imagine that there are big differences in how you view music and art in Japan and in LA, where you're currently based.
That's right. I think the way we perceive and think about art is completely different. In America, it's on a grander scale, or maybe even bolder. In comparison, Japan tends to be more detailed, or maybe more delicate. I find both interesting. There are a lot of people in America who are interested in Japanese music and art. I've experienced both environments, so I'd like to aim for a medium-sized expression.
--Your debut song, "Can't Have," released in 2018, garnered attention for being produced by Dutch DJ/producer duo Sick Individuals. How was the production process carried out?
They created the general framework for the song, and we made various changes as we recorded it in the studio. They would give me advice like, "Try improvising here," and I would try out ideas that came to mind on the spot. They ultimately put together the arrangement, and it was completed.
--At first glance, it seems like a love song, but the lyrics evoke deep emotions, which are also impressive.
The song is about "wanting something you can't have," and I think that applies not only to literal objects, but also to relationships and one's own life.
--I see.
There was a time when I was so depressed that I even thought about quitting music. I think this is linked to the feeling I had at the time: "There are things I want to do, but I can't do them."
--Your latest song, "Technicolor," is a song that consistently expresses the colorful worldview that the title conveys through the lyrics, sound, and music video.
The lyrics of "Technicolor" are also linked to my own life. When I was alone, the world wasn't that colorful. It was like black and white. But after I started interacting with various people, a lot more color was added to my world. That's how I feel. The lyrics of this song are sung with those feelings in mind.
--In addition to the aforementioned Sick Individuals, you've also collaborated with world-class producers such as Matthew Tishle and Kara Madden. What have you learned or realized through working with them?
Before I experienced full-scale recording, I was afraid of improvisation and improvisation. I thought, "I can't do it." However, as I continued to respond to the producer's requests, I began to enjoy adding my own style through ad-libs and improvisation. Gradually, I started to think for myself, like, "Next time I'll do it more like this," or "What about this?"
--I heard you've also studied songwriting. What direction do you think the works you create from scratch will take?
I want to create songs that convey my message to listeners. Not just songs that are comfortable and fun, but songs that have the feelings I want to convey behind the lyrics. I'm working hard to be able to create works like that. I plan to study. Recently, I've started using DAWs (a general term for software or systems for creating music on a PC) such as Ableton Live.
--Are these messages inspired by the various experiences you have in your daily life?
Yes. Looking at my friends of the same generation, I feel like a lot of them are feeling very depressed. I think there are many reasons for this, like comparing yourself to others on social media, but I hope to be able to support people like that through music. I want to convey positive messages in my work.
--I think this is a concern unique to Generation Z, the generation that has had social media and the internet close to them since they were old enough to understand. How do you use social media, etc., EMMA?
I've been allowed to have a cell phone since I was little, so I've always used social media. These days, I often get information about music, makeup, and fashion on Instagram and other platforms. In my case, seeing someone better than me inspires me, so I don't often get depressed because of it.
--Please tell us about your future prospects and dreams as an artist.
Finding my own individuality. I want to express that in a way that says, "This is EMMA WAHLIN." I kind of understand it internally, but I don't think I've been able to express it to the public yet. I also hope to become an artist who travels the world on world tours.
EMMA WAHLIN 4th Single "Technicolor" released
EMMA WAHLIN "Technicolor"
Release Date: Wednesday, August 28, 2019
Label: Universal International/+81 Music
Tracklist：
1. Technicolor
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