We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Emily Hope a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Emily with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?
Ever since I could remember, I’ve been a hard worker and a pursuer of excellence. But I think when this truly began was all the way back in grade school. I attended a small private school and there came a point where I was the only 4th grader in my class. I was grouped with the 3rd and 5th graders in the same room, but when it came to coursework, I was practically on my own. Of course, my teacher helped me and gave me one-on-one lessons, but there was no one else around who was learning the same things I was. This pushed me to give every assignment my all and work hard to earn good grades. It also fostered a sense of independence and led me to become a self-starter. This work ethic has followed me throughout high school, college, and the various jobs I’ve had, including my music career.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I’m a singer-songwriter, guitarist, and ukuleleist based in the Nashville, TN region. I’ve garnered experience playing solo and full band shows across the Midwest and parts of the South. Throughout my career thus far, I have released 3 albums and 11 singles and had the pleasure of opening for artists Eric Paslay, Stars Go Dim, Love & The Outcome, and Sierra Hull.
Overall, my music is a mixture of folk, country, and pop, and is intended to inspire, uplift, and offer a sense of hope to my listeners.
I’m currently in the process of recording a new EP – stay tuned!
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
I think the three qualities/skills that have been most helpful to me are:
1. Work Ethic – As an independent artist, everything falls on you. You don’t have a team to handle your booking, your marketing, etc. So being a hard worker has been extremely important for me.
2. Independence – I’ve always valued independence and have wanted to portray myself and my music in a unique way. I’m not looking to be like anyone else and I don’t want to be boxed into any one genre or style. I think my fans have appreciated that I stay true to myself but that I’m also not afraid to experiment with new sounds.
3. Optimism – Staying positive is key when you’re a musician. There have been plenty of times that I’ve played to an empty room. It’s in those moments when you have to dig deep and remember why you love music in the first place. Although I’ve definitely felt discouraged at times, I have tried my best to maintain an optimistic outlook on my music career.
To those who are just starting out, I encourage you to put in the work, stay true to who you are as an artist, and keep a positive outlook no matter what!
All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?
I moved to Nashville from Central Illinois in 2021. Prior to that, I was playing shows almost every weekend and even had a full band for a while. However, once I arrived here, it became much more difficult to book shows. I’d say it’s most likely the high level of competition in this area and the fact that I’m not a familiar face around town.
Instead of throwing in the towel, I’ve decided to focus more on my songwriting and recording during this quiet season. I think it’s been a much-needed time to concentrate on creating and releasing new material, and I’m excited to share what I’ve been working on.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.emilyhopemusic.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emilyhopestosing/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emilyhopemusic1995
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/emhopestosing
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/EMiLyHoPe1995
Image Credits
Nic Gundy Erin B. Sheryl Clark
