Meet Emma Rowley

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Emma Rowley. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Emma below.

Hi Emma, thank you so much for opening up with us about some important, but sometimes personal topics. One that really matters to us is overcoming Imposter Syndrome because we’ve seen how so many people are held back in life because of this and so we’d really appreciate hearing about how you overcame Imposter Syndrome.
I first heard the term “imposter syndrome” a few years ago and immediately saw myself in its definition. Putting down my phone more often, being on social media as little as possible, and investing more intentional time in the things and people I love have helped me let go. Constantly being on social media leads me down the dark path of questioning and critiquing every little thing about myself and my music since my feed always bombards me with the amazing and well-deserved accomplishments of the fellow musicians I follow. Spending more time outside in nature and learning to ride horses have also helped me feel more grounded in myself. I feel most at peace with myself when I block out all the noise.

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?
At 13 years old, I fell in love with writing and performing my original songs. More than ten years later, I’m still pouring my heart out through musical composition and finally released my first full-length album, “Orange”, on June 30th. A blend between rock and pop, this record showcases a shift in my artistic expression, diving into a world that is full of live drums and electric guitars. It has always been my aim to positively impact listeners with self-reflective, empowering messages, and “Orange” delivers my most tenacious lyrics yet.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
When I look back on the pivotal points that brought me to this exciting moment, I feel that my immense desire to release these songs truly sustained me through all the hard moments when everything felt like it was falling through the cracks. Bringing a larger vision to life is daunting. Even more so when the songs feel more personal than any I’ve released before. Passion is everything! If you love something, you’ll be amazed to find how far that love can take you. I encourage everyone to pour themselves into the things they care about!

On a broader note, I have found that balance is key to keeping the creative spark alive. Taking time to enjoy other hobbies is so important. For much of my life, my music career has felt like the entirety of who I am as a person. Beginning at the tender age of 12 working professionally in Broadway productions was one of the greatest joys of my life but it also taught me to always remember that I am more than a performer and musician. Otherwise, you can lose yourself in your craft which can lead to serious burnout. I’m an avid reader, road trip lover, mega fan of the 90’s tv show Twin Peaks, and so much more! Investing time into these other interests won’t take away from your creativity. In fact, it will give it the nourishment it needs to thrive and grow. I mean, how can you write songs if you’re not going out into the world and experiencing life?!

I have most recently found freedom in loosening my grip on the reigns of my destiny. I always had very specific visions for how my life would go and (no surprise) time has taught me that nothing ever seems to go as planned. But the way things work out is always better than anything I ever could have dreamed for myself. I truly believe if you let the chips fall where they may, everything will work out the way it’s supposed to. So let go and live your life. Do what you love so you can love what you do. If you’re like me, I suggest throwing your desire for control to the wind every once in a while and seeing where life takes you. Dreams are beautiful. Goals are great. But sometimes, letting life happen to you and seeing what comes of it is an awfully exciting adventure.

Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?
Releasing music is such a rush of excitement and fulfillment after months (sometimes even years) of going through the process of bringing it to life. You feel like you’re crossing a finish line but really, the hard part is only just beginning. Promoting music after the release date is a daunting process. There is no magic bullet that will bring your music to your ideal listeners. It’s a seemingly never-ending process of trial and error and everyone you talk to seems to have different recommendations on how to reach new fans. But there are no right or wrong answers so I am focused on trying a little bit of everything until I notice something catches momentum. It’s a very frustrating process though that can often reap very little reward, especially as a small artist doing everything myself. I wear it with a badge of honor though! It’s all a part of putting in those 10,000 hours.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Jordan Merrigan

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Productivity
Beating Burnout

Often the key to having massive impact is the ability to keep going when others

Leadership Development
Where does your generosity come from?

Over the years, we have consistently been blown away by the examples of generosity we’ve

Productivity
From Burnout to Balance: The Role of Self-Care

Burning out is one of the primary risks you face as you work towards your