Emily Lynch is a sing/songwriter from South Carolina. She grew up in Atlanta, Georgia and has been singing since the age of four in her Church Choir and high school chorus! She graduated from Clemson University with a degree in Communications. Lynch then met Dan Hannon, a producer at Eldest Only Productions in Atlanta, who helped her start her career. She released her first full-length album in 2011. After the Boston Marathon bombing attacks this past April, she wrote “Heart of this City” which she performed at the Massachusetts Conference for Women on December 5. I got a chance to talk to Lynch about her music.
What made you want to write “Heart of this City” which you will be singing today?
I gather inspiration from everywhere but with “Heart of this City” which I wrote after the Boston Marathon I wanted to give people something to hope for. I remember watching the news in South Carolina and them showing the live twitter feed of the younger brother and him saying “Ain’t no love in the heart in this city” and I remember thinking that’s not true. What I’m watching on the screen is love and hope people are having for one another.
I definitely think the song resonates with not only Boston residents but the nation as well.
Boston Strong you know!
How did you become involved in the music industry?
Well, I always loved singing when I was younger, I sang at church and at school. I only knew simple chords though so I would write my own songs using the chords I knew. I stayed and studied school, at Clemson in South Carolina though and then found a producer who helped get me started.
Dan? Was that his name? I remember reading your bio, and he played a major role.
Yes! Dan Hannon! He encouraged me and really was there to say you know you can work for yourself, you can self-start and still have health insurance. And I think that made all the difference even though it is challenging sometimes and you know I never know how much I’m going to make each week.
What advice do you have for women who are looking to pursue a career in music?
If you love something so much you have to stick to it. Don’t let anything stop you because it really will work out in the end. You don’t need to stress about having a certain salary job to be able to be happy and have a good life. Do what you like! I went to school to be a physical therapist and ended up switching to communication because I liked that better and felt it was more interesting. But look where I am now!
But I’m sure having a degree in communication helps you on developing partnerships and relationships with people in this business.
No it definitely does and I do appreciate that I stayed in school and didn’t quit to pursue music right away. It was always going to be there I just needed to find my moment.
So do you have a specific routine or ritual process you go through when writing a song?
Yeah, no it tends to just come in the moment. I mean for “Heart of This City” it came to me while watching the news and I wanted to give people hope. I mean they certainly had it and supported one another but I wanted to do my part.
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Do you still get stage fright? Are you nervous for today?
I’m actually pretty nervous about this afternoon! This is certainly the largest crowd I’ve ever performed for so I just want to do them proud and really touch people with my song, the only way I really know how to.
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Edited by Danyelle McInnis