INTERVIEW WITH ACOUSTIC POP SINGER-SONGWRITER EMMA LAMONTAGNE

Emma Lamontagne is a young pop singer-songwriter hailing from Ottawa, Canada. Emma has honed her skills performing at RBC Ottawa Bluesfest, Canadian Music Week, and the Grassroots Festival. Flash forward to now where she has recently released her catchy first single Love Games. It's off her upcoming debut record. Check out our interview below to learn more about her!

THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: Hi, Emma! Would you consider yourself more of a Morning Bird or Night Owl? 

EMMA LAMONTAGNE: Definitely more of a night owl. I don't stay up to the early hours of the morning but I hate waking up before 8.30.

THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: How did you got started as a singer-songwriter Emma? Was that something you always wanted to be? 

EMMA LAMONTAGNE: I never considered songwriting until my now manager pushed me into it when I was 15. Soon after I started playing shows with my own material. I always wrote poetry as a kid and I think I had the idea of becoming an author at one point, but I didn't really know I could put my words to music before then. Now being a songwriter is one of my defining qualities, I would say.

THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: Who are some singer-songwriters that you find most inspiring to you as an artist?

EMMA LAMONTAGNE: That list is soooooo long! I was raised on Elton John, Bon Jovi, and Billy Joel so they are all very important to me. I absolutely love Amanda Marshall with all my heart, and Rob Thomas is quite an influence conceptually to my music now. I'm a sucker for unique storylines in songwriting. I've got plenty of songwriters in my generation that inspire me as well, such as Shawn Mendes and his writing team, and  Alec Benjamin.

THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: Who would you like to collaborate with? And Why?

EMMA LAMONTAGNE: It's really hard to describe why I love some of these musicians, but I'm gonna try to find the words. I would love to collaborate with Shawn Mendes because he's Canadian, I'm Canadian, and I love the music that he is putting out. He seems like such a kind person, and that's who I would want on my team for a song. I've been a fan since his first major release. Why Don't We would be fun because their sound feels new. I get really excited when I listen to any new release because it always sounds like a fresh take on a boy band. Sigrid is also so much fun to listen to so I would love to hop on to one of her pop songs. My producer introduced me to her music and ever since I always melt when I listen to "High Five." Her voice and tone are crazy. And everyone I listened to as a child, so if Elton John wants to hop on a feature, PLEASE!

TRB: Can we talk about you newest single ”Love Games” and the inspiration behind it?

EMMA LAMONTAGNE: "Love Games" is about Tinder and the realities of the online dating world. It’s really just a parody of real life. A year ago, I was going through a rough time during a breakup and my friends put me on Tinder to get myself back out there. I ended up matching with someone I knew in high school and the conversation seemed to be going towards a date and then I was ghosted. I felt so frustrated because nobody expected it from that guy, so when I walked into the studio with Shobha Lee and Rob Wells, it was all I could think about. It's more commentary about why we have to follow certain dating rules to be likable when it would be so much easier to be upfront. Are you into me? Yes? Say it. If not I feel like I'm wasting my time playing these "Love Games."

TRB: What has working with Rob Wells on your debut album been like?

EMMA LAMONTAGNE: Working with Rob is really fun. He understands my sound and where he knows he can push it. I felt a little out of my comfort zone because I'm new to the pop electronic world, but I trust him with helping me find my sound. He takes my ideas and makes them better. I am really excited for everyone to hear the rest of the tracks we've been working on in the last year.

TRB: If you could describe the sound of your debut record so far in three words what three would you use?

EMMA LAMONTAGNE: Unique, emotional and fun would be my choices. Every song on the record sounds different. There will be tears, but also dance. I'm really excited!

TRB: What music has been ”On Repeat” for you lately? What bands or artists are you playlisting?

EMMA LAMONTAGNE: The biggest repeats I've got right now have to be Scott Helman (a great Canadian writer/artist), Why Don't We, Charlie Puth, and Hearts and Colors.

TRB: And what’s next for you Emma?

EMMA LAMONTAGNE: Well we just finished recording the record a few days before I'm sitting here answering these questions! We've been introducing new players to the team to solidify the release. I am still booked as a writer in sessions throughout the year and when my manager gives the thumbs up, we will be announcing some touring details. I'm just excited to finally release everything I've kept a secret for so long. Then people will know what I'm talking about when I describe my song concepts to them and they look at me like I'm speaking in another language.

TRB: Anything else you would like to add? Thanks for your time! :)

EMMA LAMONTAGNE: Yes! I post little updates on my socials, so if anyone is interested, they can search me up on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. OH and I now also have a TikTok under emmalamontagnemusic. I post the dumbest things there but that's probably what I will be doing with my time now. Thank you for doing this interview with me!

Stream "Love Games" below...

https://open.spotify.com/track/4tF7dmpo8GgKiThXDRugJS

Until then

Brittney x

Previous
Previous

TRB GUEST BLOG: INDIE POP-ROCK BAND 'MAYVE' TALK FAVORITE SUMMER SONGS!

Next
Next

DYSPLAY // "DREAM" - SINGLE REVIEW