We were lucky to catch up with Emmalee Rainbow recently and have shared our conversation below.

Emmalee, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

The most meaningful project would definitely be my EP ‘Origin’. I began writing it in 2021 when I moved from Los Angeles to New York in the dead of winter and found myself in a very dark place. I’d written lots of music before the three songs off that record, but putting those three out first felt important and cohesive.

To me, the number three represents triple femininity which personally is manifested as myself and my two sisters, and also my grandmother, mother, and aunt. In the title track, one of the lyrics in the chorus is “I’m one of three” which is where that stems from. All of the songs have themes of family and confronting generational trauma, and there’s a lot of representation of literal familial inside jokes in abstract ways, including the orange dog sculpture on the front cover. I learned a lot while making ‘Origin’ and almost feel like it wrote itself, and it’s still teaching me.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Hi! I’m Emmalee, a singer, songwriter, and musician from Los Angeles. My artistic journey began as a child actor, signing with representation at three years old and working in commercials, television series, and films. However, as I grew older, my true passion unfolded in the culinary arts, leading me to participate in both seasons of the cooking competition show ‘Man Vs. Child: Chef Showdown’ at the age of eleven.

Despite these very diverse artistic experiences, the constant undercurrent in my life has been music. I began teaching myself guitar at fourteen, and I found my true calling in songwriting. I see myself as a versatile artist, unconfined by genres, embracing the entirety of my background to create music that continually evolves and challenges me. Looking ahead, I’m excited to explore the intersections of my varied experiences and weave those influences into my music.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist for me is the self-discovery that comes through creating my music. Each song becomes a mirror reflecting different facets of myself, teaching me things I might not have otherwise understood. It’s a journey of constant evolution, and through the creative process, I find myself growing not just as an artist and performer but as a young woman. There’s a transformative power in expressing my emotions, ideas, and experiences through music, and it’s incredibly empowering to witness the impact it has on both my artistry and personal growth.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My creative journey is sort of like a family heirloom, passed down from my late grandmother, April Byron. She was a brilliant and successful singer from Australia. Her career never really took off in America the way she had hoped. When she got pregnant with my mother at nineteen years old she was fired from the Australian variety show she was a series regular on – an all too familiar tale for so many women. I hope to belt out my grandmother’s story through my music and shine a light on the grit and guts it took for her to chase her dreams despite the odds while raising a family. When I write, she is always in the back of my mind. I hope to shine a light on her story and the stories of women like her.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.emmaleerainbow.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emmaleerainbow
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@emmaleerainbowvevo2942

Image Credits
Photos by Landon Schobert