We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Emily Noel. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Emily below.

Emily, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

The biggest risk I have taken thus far was moving to Nashville to pursue my dream of music. I came to Nashville for the first time in September 2019 to attend the Josie Music Awards with 4 nominations. My best friend accompanied me on that trip and I don’t think a single hour passed by that I didn’t say “I am going to move here, this is where I need to be.” After returning home to Pennsylvania, the reality of “there is nothing here for me anymore” hit me loud and clear. I knew that I was going to miss my family and friends dearly but I wasn’t living a life that was being true to myself there. I knew it was time to take the leap of faith and make my move. The more I thought about it and talked about it the more of a reality it became that I was really going to do it, and then covid happened. It was April 2020 and I had to give notice to my apartment if I was going to re-sign my lease or leave. I had never been more scared of anything in my life at this point. In the middle of a pandemic, I had to make the ultimate decision if I was really going to go or stay. Everything I thought I knew with my plan had changed with covid. I remember calling my mom crying and asking her for advice. She told me to follow my heart and that whatever I decided to do she would support me. The next day I gave notice to my job and my apartment that I would be leaving. The first of June came and I left for Nashville with everything that fit in my car. The 12-hour drive to Nashville inspired me to write my song “Hometown Hero” which has been nominated for song of the year at this year’s Josie Music Awards. In June of this year, I celebrated 2 years here and so far it has been the best risk I have ever taken.

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?

Singing and writing has always been something that has been a part of my life from an early age. Playing music was and is the only time I really feel understood. It’s my lifeline. Throughout my life, I have always been involved with music at church and school. However, it wasn’t until my divorce in 2017 that I really went for it and tried to pursue music as a career. For the first time in a long time, the only person I needed to focus on making happy was myself. It was now or never if I was really going to do it. I started to write and play as much as I possibly could to put back the pieces of a broken heart. I began recording and releasing my songs for the very first time that year. It was one of the scariest and most exciting things I have ever done. I have never felt more vulnerable than when I release my own songs. I have been doing this for a few years now and It never does get easier. I have finally gotten past the fear of “is everyone going to like it” because I know that is just not possible but If I can touch at least one person through my music then I feel accomplished. I am really proud of how far I have come as a person and a musician since moving to Nashville. There were people back home that thought I was crazy for coming here. They said there is so much competition there, what if you don’t make it? I feel like each day I take one small step toward my definition of “making it” and that to me is a success.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Inspiring others. I have had multiple people throughout my journey tell me how inspired they are by me and my story and I think that is just so humbling. It is never too late to live the life you want and to be who you want to be. If I can inspire even just one person to do that through my music or my journey then that right there is the most rewarding thing possible.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

It is so simple to be supportive of a musician in today’s society because of the power of social media yet so many fail to do so. If you are unable to show up in person for a show or event then show up for them from afar. Share their post, or their song, or buy merch if it is available. Just show up and be supportive in any and all ways you can. You have no idea what it means to us. You sharing their song on your timeline or your story just may be the thing that is keeping that person motivated that day to continue music.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://emilynoelmusic.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emilynoelmusic
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emilynoelmusic

Image Credits
The Madcat Freelance Photographer, Nitainnashville Photography, and Magnolia Photography TN