Exclusive Interview with Emma Hewitt

Siam2nite had the opportunity to have an exclusive interview with Emma Hewitt, shortly before her performance at Live RCA on 25th September.

Where are you answering these questions?

I am currently on the island of Ibiza. I am staying at a recording studio out here called Soniv Vista Studios, working on some new music in between my European shows on the weekends. I head back to L.A. next weekend.

You are highly successful songwriter and one of the most recognized vocalists in electronic dance music. You have worked with artists such as Armin van Buuren, Dash Berlin, Cosmic Gate and Gareth Emery. You have a musical background in Rock music, but emerged into electronic dance music in 2007. How did you get in touch with electronic dance music in the first place and what made you leave Rock music behind and get into electronic dance music instead?

I had always enjoyed listening to electronic music when out in the clubs, but I had never been around people creating this kind of music. I grew up in a very live band oriented environment in Australia at that time. It wasn’t until I was living in London in 2007 and doing some writing with various pop writers that I became really intrigued by the dance scene. I was introduced to Chris Lake and we wrote “Carry Me Away” together, which was released later that same year. I still kept my rock band going for some time in Australia after this, but once I released a few more collaborations in the dance world I was really hooked, and I made the full time transition.

Your current productions focus on Trance and Progressive House. How would you describe your own music in just a few words?

I would probably describe my music as heartfelt, emotional, personal, nostalgic, hopeful and melodic. I hope to write songs that most people can relate to and identify with on some level.

Your debut single was “Carry Me Away” (in 2007, with Chris Lake). The single "Waiting" (in 2009, with Dash Berlin) took the #1 spot on the Global Trance Charts, was awarded at the International Dance Music Awards 2010 and was elected by the audience to the second best song of the year 2009 in Armin van Buuren's popular radio show “A State of Trance”. What other tracks would you recommend to someone that is not yet familiar with your music?

At the moment I would love to recommend my new song "Alive Again" which has just been released with Las Vegas DJ 3LAU and the video just came out also. I would also perhaps suggest "Be Your Sound" with Cosmic Gate, or "Colours" from my Burn The Sky Down Album which is still special to me as it was written for my Grandfather when he passed away.

What is on your agenda for the near future and what are you currently working and focusing on?

I have a new release coming out with the very talented Mark Sixma in the next few weeks…this song is called "Restless Hearts" and we will also be doing a North American/Canadian tour under the same name. If the concept goes well, we will take this offshore and would love to bring it to Asia at some point. I am also working on various other collaborations and then I hope to record a new solo EP in the early new year too. There is a lot of touring coming up for the last half of the year too, which is nice!

Looking back on 8 highly eventful and equally successful years since the release of “Carry Me Away”, what were the best and the worst gigs you ever played and what were the funniest things that occurred during any of your performances?

I have had some amazing times at some of the great festivals around the world! Storm Festival in China was a highlight. Also “Nocturnal Wonderland” in California was incredible!

Possibly the funniest moments were having the stage catch fire in Colombia while I was performing… Someone let the confetti drop from the roof and then followed it directly after with the pyrotechnics, so all the confetti caught fire, it was raining fire on to the stage, and then little spot fires appeared everywhere. The performance went on and I think people thought it was part of the show!

I also fell off the stage once, it was very dark and I couldn’t see the edge!

Your most recent Thailand performance was a year ago at The Mansion (Live RCA). On September 25 you will return to Thailand by popular demand to perform in Bangkok once again. Did you keep your previous performance – and Thailand in general - in good memory? What can the Bangkok crowd expect from your upcoming performance?

I absolutely adore the Thai people, and visiting Thailand! I had a truly wonderful experience there last time! There was such a fantastic energy and vibe in the club! I can’t wait to be back!!

This time I will be premiering some new music, I am very excited to share this music with you all!! I will also be doing some giveaways and meet and greets, I am looking forward to hanging out with everyone over there!!!