Tell us about the food and music scene for you growing up in Atlanta, GA.
Well, I grew up in suburbia, just outside of Atlanta proper, so I’m sure you can imagine—you know, there were definitely great restaurants in Norcross but nothing pushed the comfort zone for anyone. But music was something we sought out in our family. We went into the city for that—Music Midtown, Live On The Bricks, which was a big concert series they did in Olympic Park for a summer or two. My dad and I loved discovering music, along with going to see the big tours of artists we already loved.
Being an Southerner, where are some of your favorite “Southern classics?”
Allman Brothers, fried chicken wings, and “all y’all.”
You’re stranded on a deserted island for a month. Which foods would be there (magically!) for you?
Sweet potato fries, a really good Greek salad, and green tea ice cream. I know, I’m all over the place.
Now that you have been around Nashville awhile, when people from out of town come to visit, which restaurants/bars are on your list of places to visit?
Well you can never go wrong with Burger Up or M.L. Rose for some really ridiculously good burgers and classics. If it’s nice out, I love the great view and great sushi at Virago and drinks at the Thompson Hotel rooftop. Nashville is growing so fast though lately, I’m just trying too keep up with all the new places popping up!
You were named as a Artist To Watch For 2018. That must have felt pretty special?
Absolutely! Being given a title like that is special enough as is, but being chosen within the lineup of other fantastic artists they picked for this year made it that much more special. It’s really exciting when you can celebrate with friends and peers for the same accomplishments.
Talk about the creative process behind "Once In A While" and what you sought to accomplish for yourself and your audience?
That was a little magic song that was as honest as it gets. When you move on from a long, hard break-up, you have to wonder how the other person is feeling, alongside the guilt or hole that you might be carrying yourself. The strong thing to do though, if you want them to really get through it, is to leave them alone. So this was like the letter than I wrote and never sent. I wanted it sound like that too, so we kept it really stripped down and added strings, like a Beatles track.
Elaborate on your influences and how they've made an impact on your sound.
I grew up listening to a little bit of everything, but primarily the classic rock and roll and folk that my dad had playing around the house, in the car, in the yard...you get it. If I wanted to listen to the B*Witched or Britney Spears or Shania Twain CD’s I had, that had to be done in my room or later on in life, on my Walkman—where I wore OUT Michelle Branch’s first record. But I knew all the words to Led Zeppelin songs as much as I did The Temptations.
Can you tell us what performing live means to you?
Vulnerability. Deep personal connection with a perfect stranger. It’s the coolest thing in the world. I can’t wait to do more of it with these songs we just finished recording.
What are some of your favorite albums of all time?
I clearly love them cause I’ve already referenced a couple: Led Zeppelin (IV), Michelle Branch (The Spirit Room), Joni Mitchell (Blue), John Mayer (Where The Light Is Live Album). He’s one of the greatest songwriters of our generation.
What else do you two have planned for the rest of 2018?
Hopefully another single very soon! More touring, more making fans, more meeting fans, more music. Stay tuned.
Finally, if you could be sponsored by one food/drink brand who would it be and why?
Wow! That’s so hard! I would have to chose something that I genuinely consume a good amount of, so I’d probably have to pick a hearty, reliable bourbon like Bulleit. I love hostessing, so I always have a big bottle at the house to be able to share with friends who come over. It’s like a comfort drink.
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ABOUT EMILY HACKETT:
Emily Hackett speaks the truth. The singer/songwriter raised in Atlanta, GA pulls these emotions into her music, stirring in an authentic blend of self-deprecation that is both unique and refreshing. What posies her against the rest of the soul of fiery artist ready to light up the stage, all the while still as honest as her southern roots.
The result of Emily's insatiable passion is undeniable. In the last few years, Emily has made a splash in the music scene releasing two EPs - As It Comes and Fury, Fear and Heartbreak. In 2013, Emily released an acoustic cover with Megan Davies of Lorde's hit "Royals." The response has brought in over half-a-million views on Youtube, was featured on Buzzfeed, won "Best Coffeehouse Cover of 2013" on Sirius XM and reached the final round of "Best Royals Covers" on Ryan Seacrest. In 2014 Emily won the national Belk's Modern Southern Music Showcase where she played tour dates with artists like Lady Antebellum, Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan and Rascal Flatts. In the same line, her duet with Parachute frontman Will Anderson, "Take My Hand (The Wedding Song)" reached over 50k streams on Soundcloud in less than two months and peaked at the No. 4 spot on the iTunes Singer/Songwriter chart. The music video for the single currently sits at over 16 million views.
There's a compatibility between the novelty and depth found in Emily's artistry. Her music has the power to transform listeners in a direction where many songwriters fear to tread. With her organic honesty and raw-honey vocals, it's no wonder that the possibilities continue to unfurl for Emily Hackett.
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