Emma Tomlinson: 'Sour Heart' (Exclusive Interview)
How did you get your start in music?
When I was 8 years old all I did was dancing and would only sing in the car, around the house, around the playground and in the school choir.
It wasn’t until I joined a girls singing group with Michelle Crawfords Performing Arts School and sang for the first time on stage at the Gold Coast Performing Arts Centre in 2008. Ever since that first moment on stage holding a microphone singing my one solo line, that was when I knew I wanted to be a professional singer, musician, singer-songwriter & performer. 5 years later after auditioning for young talent time, Australia’s Got Talent & XFACTOR, I decided to get serious and pursued classical singing lessons with one of Australia’s infamous Sopranos, Maggie Noonan. I remember Maggie had said to me “Emma we are going to save your voice. I am going to teach you the technique ‘Bel Canto’ ~ Italian for ‘Beautiful singing’. That technique not only saved my voice, but assisted in the emerging successful career I have today 10 years later. A year after training as a young soprano opera singer, I auditioned and made it through to XFACTOR 2014 at age 14 and auditioned for Creative Generation : Queensland State Schools On Stage as a Featured vocalist 2014 ~ 2016; for three years. Since then I have made numerous appearances on the national stage performing recently the Australian National Anthem at the Australianon of the Year Awards 2023 for the Queensland Nominees. Performing the Australian National Anthem for the opening ceremony of the Virtus Oceania Asia Games 2022, performing as the Queensland Premiers nominated Brisbane Artist for the Green and Gold Runway 2022 Olympic 2032 Games precelebration event, appearing as the opening act and main entertainment for the Australian event awards 2018, Woodford Folk Festival 2014, Woodford Small Halls 2019, Headlining in Noosa Alive 2019, awarded youngest achieving entrepreneur of Noosa 2019 and was nominated as one of 24 finalist's in Brisbane's QUBE EFFECT 2022. Being one of the finalists, I released in April my first nominated Music Video CONTROL; aired on the brisbane city council's website, YouTube and nominated by the public for People's Choice Award.
What has been the highlight of your journey so far?
The first biggest highlight in my music career would be having the honur of performing and singing the Australian National Anthem at the Australian of the year awards 2023 for the Queensland Nominees and performing the Australian National Anthem for the opening ceremony of the Virtus Oceania Asia Games 2022.
my second biggest highlight would be being an ambassador for Autism Queensland. I myself at age 4 was diagnosed with mild Autism Spectrum Disorder (Aspergers or abreviated as ASD). my motto with my music is that "being different makes a difference" which I promote as an official ambassador for Autism Queensland.
My vision is to spread more awareness about young women and girls with ASD. I want to encourage acceptance at school's, tertiary education, and the workplace's and celebrate their difference. My message is that people with Autism are just like everyone else but neurologically are wired differently. they can be highly intellegent in how they think and process. Being an artist who loves to paint and draw, in support of Autism Queensland's campaign "Go Blue For Autism", my artwork called "Blue Haired Girl" was reproduced onto tote bags for all to not only buy and support local Artists on the spectrum but to donate to the cause that is close to my heart and many families.
What's been the biggest challenge of your music journey?
The first biggest challenge of my music journey would be 6 years ago when I suffered a chronic permanent nerve injury to my left index finger/hand from a knife accident at work and I had to relearn how to play the piano again, how to clap as I can no longer clap with my hands only hit my chest or thigh to clap, as well as adjust how I operate my daily routine. Every time I perform now I have to wear an arthritic compression glove as it ensures that I can play durably for many hours at a time, but also to prevent swelling, intense neurotic pain, hand muscle cramps, and increases circulation. It was challenging as a young artist to adapt this new permemant injury as part of my identity, however, It doesn't define who I am and how I sing.
My second biggest challenge would be when I decided to create and promote my first release campaign in 2020 during the covid19 pandemic for my EP 'AQUARIUS' with debut singles 'ROSEMARY' and 'SILVER LIGHTNING' being my first ever releases to all streaming platforms. That year was the hardest year for all of the music industry globally. Financially I had to support my music on goverment welfare as I couldnt perform and was restricted on getting a job. I had to change from studying in a studio at university to studying my degree online where I had to use the resources that I had in my home which was very minimal. The hardest part was that it was my first year out of home and I had to learn so much by myself in lockdown and basically how to survive. Looking back at that year I would say regardless of how it greatly affected my own mental health and career was, I successfully got through it with not only my releases but also by successfully completing my Bachelors degree in creative industries with the best support from my family, friends and mentors.
What is your vocal technique and training?
I am a soprano opera singer training 'Bel Canto' Technique ~ Italian for "Beautiful Singing" with Opera Queensland singing Tutor and opera singer Susan Ellis. I was first taught Bel Canto with Notorious Australian Soprano Maggie Noonan at the age of 13 and now 10 years later as a 23-year-old, this technique is engrained in my brain, how I sing and most importantly breathe. It is the healthiest and best form of singing as it enables you to sing any genre or style with flexibility and versatility.
What is the main message you want to share with your listeners and fans?
Always be yourself because "Being different makes a difference" and go listen to my new single SOUR HEART! Available to listen on Spotify, apple music and all streaming platforms.
