Story & Lesson Highlights with Exhale of Alameda

We recently had the chance to connect with Exhale and have shared our conversation below.

Exhale, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: When was the last time you felt true joy?
Emma: We had an amazing pre-release/swim party/reunion where we got all our families together to listen to our new single. My heart was so full!
Orrey: When our recording engineer, Kevin Prince, sent us the first pass of “Playground”, our first single in 15 years, I was beyond excited because it sounded just like Exhale.
Taylor: I think the last time our band felt true joy was when we all got together at Orrey’s house, showing our new song to our Family and friends. For me, it was such a surreal moment after not seeing each other in person for 15 years. It was such a nostalgic moment to see everyone again.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Emma: Hi! I’m Emma Simpson. Taylor started this band when I was fifteen years old! 15 years ago! We broke up because life happened, everyone moved up and out. Somehow, we found our way back to each other and are making more music and having more fun than ever.
Orrey: My name is Orrey Severet, the drummer of Exhale. Fifteen years after our inception, we are reuniting to bring the world new music, new shows, and grayer hair.
Taylor: I am Taylor Wong, and I play guitar and sing vocals for Exhale. What is unique about me is that I’m 35 with four kids and still continuing to follow my dream and Exhales’ dream of reaching as many listeners and fans as possible.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
Emma: I feel like Orrey and Taylor have always seen me clearly and given me the space to grow, change, and develop. We’re all receptive and supportive of each other’s wild ideas, which makes working together easy.
Orrey: The answer is simple. While our friends and family, especially our parents, were so amazingly supportive and loud at our shows, Mark Gilmore of 98 Rock took a special interest in us, and that kind of support from such a credible figure in the Sacramento music scene made me really believe we had something cool going on.
Taylor: I think that Mark Gilmore of 98 Rock was someone who saw us before we could see ourselves. He put our music out on the radio and gave us a chance and even had listeners from the Bay Area reaching us. Giving us a chance to be heard, not just in Sacramento.

Do you remember a time someone truly listened to you?
Emma: I remember we played a battle of the bands where the audience was singing along with me. I saw their lips moving, and nothing has ever felt so cool.
Orrey: One of my favorite venues to play was The Naked Lounge in Downtown Sacramento, and despite its small size and low roof, our audiences there were always the most receptive and into the music.
Taylor: When I look back at it, I think that Larisa Bryski was one person who really listened and supported us in our musical adventures. She basically brought us all together in some shape or form.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
Emma:
I’m excited to bring the songs we’ve been recording out to audiences in real life. I love being in the practice room with the guys, but the real magic happens on stage, where I wish I could stay eternally.
Orrey: I like that we aren’t rushing to put out a new album; we have a structured and particular way we are moving forward to make the new album as good as we can possibly make it.
Taylor: My belief regarding the album is to never stop working on what brings you joy. This album and being with Orrey and Emma again has brought so much joy to me and us coming back together, taking our time with the album, and making sure it is the best album we can put out for our fans is so important for us.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. Are you tap dancing to work? Have you been that level of excited at any point in your career? If so, please tell us about those days. 
Emma: Oh man, working with Taylor and Orrey is an absolute dream. I tap dance into every room to work with them.
Orrey: Right now, I’m the most excited I’ve ever been about Exhale.
Taylor: This moment in tim,e working on Exhale’s album has me soaring through the roof! Being in this moment has just ignited my love for music again, and showing the world our talents and love for music.

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