THE DOWNLOAD AND THE DOWNLOADING OF 'HUGS' WITH EMILY ANDERSON

Singer/ Songwriting sensation Emily Hudson talks a musical mind shift and more!

What hot sounds are you working on right now?

I've got a lot of new music in the works right now! One project is an EP of some of my favorite songs from the 30 songs in 30 days challenge I gave myself in November (because why not?). It's more of a stripped-down folky vibe. Another project is a collaboration EP with an amazing Alaskan producer, Naessie, which is VERY different from what I usually do and I am stoked about it - more electronica glitchy Disney princess vibes. On top of all that I'm also working on my full-length album which will be released at the end of summer/early fall.

You have a really positive song out right now called 'Hugs'. What can fans expect?

I'm an optimistic person generally, which I think comes across in the music I create, but I write about depression, grief, friendship, love, heartache - you know, human stuff. All we can do as artists is reflect our own human experiences, and I've yet to meet a single-faceted human. "Hugs" is ultimately a nostalgic, hopeful song but it is also written from a place of isolation and longing - something we've all experienced over this past year. I think that's what makes it so relatable - it's a multi-faceted emotional state.

In what way is this song close to your heart?

This song was one of those miracle songs that almost feels like I've had very little to do with writing it. I was quarantining in my parents' basement apartment in Fairbanks, Alaska and feeling a cocktail of nostalgia and loneliness with a dash of hope on the rim. I love this song because it is so completely honest with how I was feeling in that moment - there is something about songwriting that is supremely satisfying when you're able to articulate exactly how you're feeling in a song. It's like craving a certain meal and then miraculously that's what's for dinner.

How long did it take to write?

I wrote it in an hour and then made the demo shortly after - the demo vocals recorded in my parents basement are actually the final vocals on the song! Like I said, I feel like this was one of those "download" songs where you're just the one in the room writing it down. This rarely happens, but when it does it's the best feeling.

How long did it take to record?

This song traveled all over the continent and was recorded in home studios in Colorado, Canada, California, and Alaska. The back and forth took some time and communication, but the song was lovingly piecemealed together with engineering magic by the amazing Sarah Tudzin to make it sound like we were all singing around a campfire, together at last. Someday soon we might be able to do just that! I'll bring the marshmallows.

What is the biggest misconception about musicians?

I think one of the biggest misconceptions about musicians is that we're "starving artists". What if that's a self-fulfilling prophecy? What if we started assuming that musicians have good jobs because music and art have inherent value? I think we need to have a cultural mindset shift where we ask ourselves why this stereotype of the "starving artist" perpetuated and who it benefits. Maybe the expectation that musicians are starving artists gives others permission to underpay, take advantage, and sell for "exposure". How powerful it could be if the cultural expectation was that musicians should be compensated fairly.

Give us your socials and where to stream your music!

For sneak peeks and first dibs at all of my upcoming music, you can find me on Patreon! www.patreon.com/emilyandersonak

Instagram - www.instagram.com/emilyandersonak

Facebook - www.facebook.com/emilyandersonak

TikTok - @emilyandersonmusic