A Quick Chat with Emily Victoria

Can you tell me a bit about your inspiration for your single ‘Humming Heart’

My musical inspiration for this song are groups like Cocteau Twins and Lush. The intention for this song was for it to feel like some of the dreams that I was having which didn’t make much sense apart from a repeated ‘searching’ feeling. These two groups capture transitory periods and dreams so well. 

What are your influences and how do they affect your songwriting? 

Some of my influences include bands from The New Romantic Movement, Jazz standards, Elgar Cello Concerto and the soundtrack from the film The City of God. My influences provide me with so much different musical language for songwriting melodically and harmonically. The more time I spend listening to music I love, the more ideas that emerge . 

What’s the creative process like for you?

My creative process involves a thread of thought and repetitive style. I produce a series of ten or so ideas from the same process and then I tend to move on. Once I have taken something in, I like to change as many things as I can about my life in order to think and feel a different way. Usually this means that I am engaged with new and interesting ideas.

If you could change something about the Australian music industry what would it be? 

I would love it if it was a bit bigger - more audiences and cities, diversity of artists and projects and unknown ground to explore . .  

What do you think life would be like for you if you didn’t have music as an outlet? 

Miserable! 

Is there anyone you would like to collaborate with?  Why?

Caroline Polachek. She was speaking with Charli XCX on her podcast ‘Best Song Ever’ about her obsession with opera, Greek literature and Beach Boy lyrics. I would love to collaborate with her as I connected with how she spoke on the podcast. She challenges pop music musically and conceptually. There is so much that I could learn from her!!

What’s your advice to young people who want to make a career for themselves in the industry? 

A deep love of whatever it is you are doing is essential as it will ground you through the process of working out a pathway forward.

Who’s the most interesting person you’ve worked with/met? 

Artist Lin Van Hek. I was drawn to her stall at the Camberwell Market in Melbourne. We have had some great conversations and I really admire her. I have a few of her paintings of faces in my room and have read some of her books including The Ballad of Siddy Church. When you are around her, you can tell she lives and breathes art and it is infectious!

Any plans for a tour on the cards?

Not at this point. There’s another song coming out soon though!