We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Emley Sowell. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Emley below.
Emley, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with 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 risk I’ve taken is the risk of failure when going for my singing career. It all started a few years ago when my hubby and I were driving back to San Diego from Mammoth, in Jan 2017, after an amazing few days of skiing in powder. We were driving two of our friends home and having great conversations along the way. I can’t remember exactly what we were talking about but all I remember is that in this conversation we yearned for a higher knowledge of life for ourselves and to better our lives. Our friend was already doing what he loved, he had good relationships, and had challenges he overcame in his life. He basically got to do what and when he wanted and we wanted that as well. He suggested for us to take this personal development training course and that he had done a similar course that helped him learn the tools to create the life that he had. We of course were interested.
Long story short, about a year later we took the training course and then a few more courses after that. It opened up our lives to the possibility to create the life we wanted and that we have the power to choose how our lives go. We were also taught the tools to create and hold on to a life we wanted. In 2019, I stood up in one of my course classes and declared that I’m finally going to go for my singing career. I was terrified. I was afraid to take the risk of going for my singing because I didn’t want to fail and everyone always says how hard it is to be a singer or break into the music industry. I realized in those classes that, since I choose how my life goes, I’d rather go for my singing career and risk failure than live my life in regret wondering, “Could I have succeeded?”.
In 2019, during a year-long training program, I created an open mic fundraising event and partnered with the Anti Bullying Charity, called Act Like You Matter, here in San Diego. I was bullied a lot as a child and I loved what this charity was doing to help teens and children. The open mic event I created was the first time I had sang in front of an audience in about 15 years and the first time I had the ability to help others other than my family. The fundraising event scared me, as well as singing for the first time in so long, but after the event was over, it was so worth it no matter the fear and the doubt in myself. This was the beginning stepping stone to getting out there in the public and creating confidence in myself through taking uncomfortable actions in fear. After that I began to write music in 2020 for the first time ever. I finished writing and recorded my 4 songs that I released on an album in Sept 2022. My hubby and I also created a release party around my album release in Oct 2022 and I sang 9 songs on stage with outfit changes, dancers, opening act, etc. It was after this event I realized that, one, I loved singing on stage even though I was so nervous and, two, that I wanted to go all out with my singing to perform on big stages in the future. Essentially, I knew that I wanted to do this the rest of my life.
I’m not where I want to be yet in my singing career but I now know that it’s worth the risk to go for what you love no matter what.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers
I’m a singer/songwriter, model, and electrical engineer currently living in San Diego. I got into Music because it has always been in my DNA. My grandparents were opera singers and at age 3 I was captivated by my grandfather singing to me. Ever since then I was either in dance, choir, musicals, or singing for events. I also grew up listening to a variety of music, anything from the 50s to current day music. I’m someone who could never live without music in my life.
-I stopped going for my dreams when I was 18 when I was rejected at a big audition. 15 years later I did some self development work and finally realized that I can go for my dreams no matter what and there is no one size fits all. Plus I knew I’d regret it if I didn’t at least try. It was doing what I was told and my limiting beliefs of thinking I’m not good enough were the main reasons that stopped me.
I’ve been officially working on my music since Jan of 2020 and thanks to my self development courses and sharing with others (sometimes complete strangers) of what I’m up to I’ve been able to meet people in my life who have either been mentors, teachers, producers or uplifting people to cheer and encourage me on. I’ve also done a lot of research, I have looked for people in the music community to learn from and have taken music industry courses, etc. I network as much as possible because you never know who you will meet.
I released my first EP album, “Phoenix” in Sept 2022, my first music video Aug 2022, and had my release party Oct 2022. I’m most proud of everything I’ve accomplished so far, especially since it took me so long to start. I’m grateful for all the amazing people I’ve met along the way and how generous, supportive, and helpful they have been. Also I’ve learned that you are who you attract. It’s our way of being that does or doesn’t draw people to us.
My ultimate dream with my music is to sing/perform on huge stages with both major DJs at festivals and for major crowds similar to an Ava Max, Bebe Rexha, or Ariana Grande. I also really want people who listen/hear my music to become inspired and empowered by who they are and to have the freedom and strength to fulfill the life of their dreams. My dream also is to impact causes like Bullying and Mental Health. I was bullied and made fun of a lot as a child, especially the time where I had to leave 7th grade early before graduating because the school wouldn’t do anything about it. I’ve battled with mental and physical health as well so these causes are very important to me to help others, especially when it comes to mindset.
What sets me apart from others would be my energy, bright colors, and huge heart. I do my best to love people the way they are and for the most part know the people I don’t want to be around without being rude to them. I like to empower others instead of tearing them down. I like to make people smile and laugh and I don’t like seeing people upset. I have a lot of love and energy to give. I’ve also been classically trained in singing.
Services I provide = I sing for all kinds of events, I model to increase my self-expression, meet new people, and market myself, and I walk in runway fashion shows. Also I have my album and merchandise available on https://emleymusic.com
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The most rewarding aspect of being a creative artist is the fact that there is no rule book or guide map, no path is the same for each artist, and you don’t have to do it the way others say or think you should. You choose. There’s multiple ways to accomplish your goal. I’ve grown up with so many rules, guidelines, and opinions such that I was so restricted and stuck in life. Now I get to create my artistry the way I want and how I want. It’s a sense of freedom and empowerment.
Also the most rewarding part is seeing the artistry that you create, touch or impact someone else’s life in a positive way or potentially save their life. You truly have no idea what’s going on in people’s lives. If we have the opportunity/pleasure to impact one person’s life then it’s all worth it. It’s worth it to see people smile or laugh even if it’s for a few moments.
Another most rewarding thing is when someone truly accepts you and understands you for who you are without judgment.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
One of the lessons I had to unlearn is to not take people’s opinions as the truth but instead as knowledge, such that I can choose whether I want to be open to what was said or to disagree politely. Everyone has opinions but it’s up to us to pay attention to who’s giving those opinions as advice. I don’t take advice or lessons from others that haven’t done what I want to do. If they personally haven’t achieved what I want to achieve or they haven’t even been in the industry high enough to know what they’re talking about then why would I take their word as truth? I still listen to them out of respect but I have to remind myself that unless they’ve done it themselves how could they possibly know what’s best to do or what’s best for me? Only I know what’s best for me. For example, I’ve received many comments/opinions around people saying, “the singing business is hard”, “the impact you want to make won’t matter because everyone gets bullied”, “you shouldn’t post pics like that” or “that’s too sexy or risque”, “people who commit suicide are selfish”, “your music/music video has lots of things you can improve on”, “you were pitchy when singing this or that”, etc.. Sometimes its tough to disregard what someone said but it’s what I do with these comments/opinions that matter. I just keep moving forward.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://emleymusic.com/home
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emleymusic/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EmleyMusic
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emley-recording-artist/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/emleymusic
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTAj_XkElOo2Fs3LBIBY28A
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@emleymusic?_t=8bKcyfVQ7je&_r=1 https://open.spotify.com/artist/4T3xYzpi7Eh7a3NwxCp8mY?si=8OAOLk7eQj6QFGPBwl1dUA
Image Credits
Eloy – @erodphotos Peter Dreamer – @photodaydreamer Xi Zeng – @xizengphoto Dan Graham – @dpgphotos0105