We recently connected with Em Eden and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Em, thanks for joining us today. Do you wish you had waited to pursue your creative career or do you wish you had started sooner?

My creative journey began later in life when it comes to making music but I don’t wish it happened any differently. I had a fascination with writing/reading poetry as a little one, getting lost in words in my many treasured (mostly birthday gifted) notebooks. My older brother wrote music and played in band so there was always music in the house. My dad has always been direct, when we were little he made it clear that my brothers were born with natural musical talent and that my sister and I were better off trying other things. I know he felt he was looking out for us but I think it deterred me from diving into music in a creative way. That’s not to say music wasn’t a huge part of my life long before I started writing songs. It gave me a way to escape. A way to get lost and feel connected with the artists in a way I couldn’t with anyone around me. A way to feel things I couldn’t describe and realizing them as I listened. I had headphones all through high school and all of my class notes were covered in doodles of lyrics/song/artist names. I worry that if I started making music at a younger age a need to fit in musically or make things “correctly” may have muted things. At this point in my life, I don’t focus on how something should sound (almost at all :p) — I just create because it heals me and I’m so *incredibly touched* when others connect with it. I’m full of joy reflecting on my musical journey and can’t believe how lucky I am to now to be playing with sound superheroes that don’t judge me for how I exist through music/the way I wing it – they are just kind, supportive, amazingness.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

At Moss Haven, in Activation Studios, we offer an hourly booking space for music rehearsals (essential equipment included), host open jams and tiny desk style live recording events. We are very intentional about this being a safe space for all and focus on creating connections within our beautiful community.

Personally, I play guitar/sing (solo up to a full band) around Charlotte as M143 (my name: Emily, you can call me Em & ILoveYou <3).

Can you share your view on NFTs? (Note: this is for education/entertainment purposes only, readers should not construe this as advice)

I think News From Turtles is our most dependable source of information about small bodies of water in the Charlotte community and the animals that inhabit them. I fully support this publication and hope we keep… giving them bread. ; )

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

I had to unlearn a lot just recently about being an unconditionally loving friend without realize I should’ve taken a step back to see the obvious imbalance. I never took time to evaluate my close friendships or even think that I had any “needs” … or any limit to how many years I could be supportive without support being reciprocated. I grew up fulfilling my own needs and pouring out of my cup to all that I could. It’s been such a healing and important journey for me these past few months to identify what a real friend is supposed to feel like. Writing it down (thanks to a wisekindlovely human that’s helped me wakeywakey) in simple terms — what I do and don’t want from a friendship. I am more clear now that people close to me can’t align/stick around without the desire to grow as a human and the willingness to put ego aside and take accountability. Evaluate your needs and those close to you, set the boundaries necessary to protect your well being.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://mosshavenstudios.carrd.co/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/m143sounds/
• Other: https://www.instagram.com/mosshavenclt/

Image Credits

Riah Lange, Hadassah Selby