Emma Salisbury: "Friction" (Exclusive Interview)
When did you first realize your ability to sing?
I wasn’t one of those kids who popped out of the womb singing... I was 15 when I performed my first song in front of a crowd, Adele’s ‘Someone Like You’ to a room of 200 people. Even my mum was surprised I could sing. Since then, I studied at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music majoring in vocals, but have only recently wrapped my head around actually pursuing music as a career and have just released my first official single, ‘Friction’.
What is your music and message all about?
I’ve been fortunate enough to see lots of the world and have spent a decent amount of time living abroad, in NYC, LA, Miami, and now London. I believe my experiences as a young creative from leafy Australia, living a comfortable life but choosing to get some grit about me, hopping on flights to the furthest corners of the world with no way of telling what was waiting for me on the other side, has gifted me with a unique perspective and I care to share that through my music.
How would you describe your vocal style?
While my voice initially came through with folky tones, growing up on old soul music definitely had an impact, with RnB feeling like the direction I’m heading in. I’d like to think that my vocals can soar in an ethereal, dreamy manner while addressing some of the harsher realities of life. The production is where it gets its oomph, demonstrating how we can transmute experiences or emotions that we would typically classify as negative or sad into something that motivates and inspires.
What was the hardest part of making this song?
I wrote the crux of ‘Friction’ a while back, one of those tracks that just fell onto the page. Bringing it to Pink Mayne and seeing him turn it into a freeing, empowering sound was really inspiring. The hardest part would’ve had to have been allowing myself to be vulnerable, ripping off the bandaid, and deciding that this would be my first single. Singing for the first time 10 years prior, it seems I needed this period to unpack the reasons why I was fighting my gift or maybe felt like my voice wasn’t worth sharing – and I’m by no means at the end of that journey – but through expressing my full self, I’ve seen how I can, in turn, encourage others to do the same.
What was the most enjoyable part of making this song?
When I first wrote the track, I put a little snippet on IG and I remember getting a message of appreciation from someone I didn’t know, of a completely different background, gender, ethnicity, religion, or cultural experience, explaining how deeply my song touched them and how they could relate. That’s when it hit me that even though my journey is so unique, it’s still a tool for connection and understanding. We all bleed the same.
What is one feeling you want to leave listeners with?
This track in particular is for anyone who is fueled by ‘Friction’, so in this case, I’d like to leave them feeling empowered through self-respect, rather than falling victim to the shortcomings of others. The track also instructs listeners to free themselves from feeling like they could ever be ruled by anything other than their own intuition, that gut feeling that something is or isn’t right for you. I want them to feel entitled to feel how they do, it’s open to interpretation. When I turn to music, it’s either to feel elevated/motivated, to feel understood, or to learn something new, so I can only hope that through my story I might spark similar responses in others.
How do you prepare for your live performances?
Through practice and diversity of experience performing live, I aim to get to a level of comfortability singing where my vocals are warm and ready to go at any point.
