Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Lou Emery. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Lou, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

It was actually a pretty last-minute decision. Growing up, I’d always been in love with music and was involved in every performance opportunity I could find–musical theatre, school talent shows, community showcases, marching band, etc. Even when I was three or four years old, I would sing so loudly in church that people across the building would compliment me after. So the signs were always there–but I never took it seriously as a possible career option. My parents both studied engineering, and I don’t have any musicians in my extended family either. Plus, I was a bit of a STEM whiz, so the practical part of my brain was convinced that I would become a mathematician or doctor. But when junior year of high school came, and I had to actually pick my college and solidify my major, I realized that music was the only option that really got me excited. And once I finally considered it, my mind was made up. I switched my plans, threw out the top-tier math and science programs, and started full-force auditioning for music schools. I went on to study music at the University of Miami, and now I live in LA to continue pursuing my music career. It’s funny, though–there’s a painting my parents recently pulled out of storage from when I was a toddler, and I’d been asked to paint what I wanted to be when I grew up. I painted myself as a singer on stage. So I guess I always really knew.

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 am a pop-rock singer-songwriter based in Los Angeles, California. As an artist, I blend the energy of live band arrangements with modern pop production to tell catchy, yet meaningful, stories. I write anthems; each track is its own hit driven by powerful vocals, upbeat pop-fusion production, and punchy lyrics and melodies. I’m inspired by whatever I’m listening to at the moment, which tends to fluctuate, so I refuse to be boxed within one specific genre. No two songs sound quite the same, each living in its own space on the spectrum between pop and rock. But that’s part of what makes my music captivating from track to track.

My early musical background was a diverse mix of everything, as I bounced around from pop performance, to classical flute, to musical theatre and acting, and finally to contemporary songwriting. I sought out every musical opportunity I could find, because I’ve always had a huge desire to be the center of attention up on stage—and that’s still what I love the most. I’m most known for my vibrant live performances and contagious energy. Music was just a hobby for me up until college, though, where I studied music and songwriting at the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music. And from there, I took the plunge, moving across the country to LA to continue pursuing music professionally.

Lately, I’ve been focusing on recording and releasing the music that I’ve written over the past couple years. I released my debut single, “September,” in 2019, but my latest single, “Instinctual,” released in May 2022. My next single, titled “Wish,” releases on August 5. You can find my music on Spotify, Apple Music, or any audio platform under Lou Emery.

Have you ever had to pivot?

As a musician, it can take a while to really solidify your brand and sound. When I was in college, I thought I’d discovered it, and I started releasing music as a sophomore under a more indie-folk brand. But a year or so ago, I realized that my sound had matured into a more produced pop-rock style, and my brand didn’t really reflect that. People looking at my pictures said I gave off a country/indie artist impression, and even the name that I was releasing music under didn’t feel right. I’d always wanted to have a genuine, raw style, so it took me a while to accept that this initial brand didn’t quite fit anymore. And I realized that being “genuine” didn’t mean I needed to stick with my original sound and image from when I first started writing music, but rather that I needed to find what felt right at the present, what felt like it most represented who I am and what I’m creating. And that’s a more polished pop- and rock-star style. So, I pivoted—it took a lot of time and effort, but I fully rebranded and basically started over in 2021, going by my nickname, modernizing my production style, getting completely new pictures, recreating my website, etc. And it’s now a much better representation of me and my style.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

Music is such a powerful thing. In my own life, no matter how I’m feeling, I can listen to a song and amplify it 100%. If I’m having a great day, I’ll put on a happy song and jump around and jam out. If I’m driving down the highway, there’s a track that will come on shuffle that I can’t help but crank up and sing along to. And if I need a good cry, there are songs that are cathartic for that as well. The most rewarding part of being an artist is knowing that there’s someone out there using my songs in that way—to pump them up, to cry and express themselves, to inspire them. Music is human connection, and it touches us in such a unique way. I love performing live more than anything else because I can feel the connection in the room. I can feel that there is an audience of people experiencing the music with me, feeling the story with me, in a way that goes above normal conversation. And we build off of each other. Any time someone lets me know that my music touched them or that they were jamming to my song in the car earlier, it’s such a cool feeling. I’m touched by other people’s music every day, so I love being able to have that effect on others.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.louemery.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heyyou.itslou/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heyyou.itslou
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/heyyou_itslou
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCn36uvaTr36taCkZEVrZoyg/featured
• Other: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4wKwOP3iCsPypuI4ikavQv?si=FOoq3MMuRf26c4A323QOiA

Image Credits
Emmanuel Akinnitire Katy Kenny Daniel Arciniegas