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Send us Fan Mail "I was looking for love in so many places."  Getting real in your art often means getting real with yourself--and the best, most beautiful and hard-hitting art can come from the realest, darkest spaces. Irish alt-pop artist Christian Cohle knows this truth intimately. In this episode, Emmeline sits down with Christian Cohle for an intensely personal and thoughtful conversation about his brave new record, Queen of Ashes. Christian shares about the process of self-discovery that inspired the album, addiction, love, the way we distract ourselves from spiritual growth, and how his musical curiosity ran parallel to his spiritual curiosity. Christian and Emmeline also discuss the ways in which true love requires constant attention to self-improvement--and how the ones we love are always pressing our buttons and forcing us to grow. Love, life, art--it's all a grand invitation to which we choose to say yes.  You can also get a sneak peek of three songs from Christian's new record--"Life with Lucy," "Venus," and "Queen of Ashes." Christian even talks about why Conversations on Love is his favorite book right now! To learn more about Christian, or to follow his musical journey, visit his official website or follow him on Instagram.  For behind-the-scenes information and more about Journey of an Artist, visit the Journey of Series official webpage, or follow Emmeline on social media at @EmmelineMusic.

Send us Fan Mail When the legendary listening room Poor David's Pub celebrated 49 years in business, rumors were swirling that the venue was planning to close its doors for good--then the effervescent Amelia Card came along. In this episode, Emmeline sits down with Amelia to talk about her decision to take over the beloved bar, her passionate advocacy for live music, her desire to make Poor David's accessible and inviting for songwriters and audience members alike, and her propensity for championing female-fronted acts! The women also chat about the challenges of being a woman in music--and about the beauty of a musical community that ultimately becomes chosen family. Amelia discusses the balancing act of preserving and celebrating history while introducing a venue to a broader audience. She even speaks candidly about the creativity involved in business ownership and about how to take a risk when you feel called to take on a new endeavor. Plus, hear Amelia's beautiful song, "The Moon Song"! To follow Amelia's journey, or to get more deeply connected with Poor David's Pub and its incredible lineup of shows, visit the venue's official website and follow the bar on Instagram. For behind-the-scenes information and more about Journey of an Artist, visit the Journey of Series official webpage, or follow Emmeline on social media at @EmmelineMusic.

Send us Fan Mail So you know you need and want a creative practice, but...which creative medium is right for you? Which instrument fits your personality? Can you feel fulfilled by expressing yourself in just one way, or do you need multiple outlets? In this episode, Emmeline sits down with autoharp enthusiast and musical comedian Harping Mel to tackle these questions and more. Mel shares how, despite growing up in a musical household with two professional musicians as parents, it took her a bit of time to find the perfect musical fit. She also details how the autoharp marks, for her, a melding of her engineering training and her affinity for singing. Lastly, Mel talks about the importance of having and nurturing a creative community--especially through open mics, showcases, and variety shows! To learn more about Harping Mel, or to follow her musical journey, find her on Instagram or YouTube. To get your own autoharp and learn more about how to play, visit Mel's favorite autoharp company, d'Aigle Autoharps.  For behind-the-scenes information and more about Journey of an Artist, visit the Journey of Series official webpage, or follow Emmeline on social media at @EmmelineMusic.

Send us Fan Mail “If you’re giving your all for a full house, that’s expected. But if you’re giving your all for just a few people, that’s a big deal. People remember that.” Incremental steps lead to great progress--but staying a student of creativity can be hard sometimes. In this episode, Emmeline sits down with rap artist, sound engineer, and open mic host Manii to talk about why the arts are a slow burn--and why that's okay! He shares his path to professional musicianship and discusses how little wins can add up. He also discusses the importance of community in finding inspiration and listening to that little creative voice inside of you. Lastly, Manii offers a sneak peek of a brand new remix he's been creating. To learn more about Manii, or to follow his musical journey, follow him on Instagram. For behind-the-scenes information and more about Journey of an Artist, visit the Journey of Series official webpage, or follow Emmeline on social media at @EmmelineMusic.

Send us Fan Mail "Es que la ciudad es tan vacía como dicen."  How do you know which language best fits a song? How do you keep your saddest stories from sounding too depressing? Where do you go for sonic inspiration? AMANDA tackles these questions and more as she sits down with Emmeline to discuss her brand new song, "Medio Oeste." They talk about the importance of pulling the right producers on board, how one riff can transform a track, and why songwriters are so tempted to tell stories that seem a smidge melancholy. Plus, hear them geek out over their favorite 90s musicians! To learn more about AMANDA, or to follow her musical journey, make sure to find her on Instagram. For more episodes of Journey of a Song, Emmeline's other show, make sure you're subscribed to Journey of a Song on all of your favorite podcasting platforms, or visit here. For behind-the-scenes information and more about Journey of an Artist, visit the Journey of Series official webpage, or follow Emmeline on social media at @EmmelineMusic.

Send us Fan Mail How do we stay inspired as creatives? How do we ensure that what we're producing is in line with not only our goals, but what makes us feel happy and fulfilled?  In this episode, Emmeline tackles these questions and more with Josiah Leeper! Josiah is a prolific producer and the brains behind the indie music project Indoor Swimming. Josiah is both a thoughtful, seasoned producer and an intentional student of music, and his belief in consistency and curiosity have helped him build a home studio where he produces projects in which he deeply, enthusiastically believes.  He shares his plans for growth, his excitement about music and how the manifestation thereof has changed, and what inspires him most! To learn more about Josiah Leeper, or to follow his musical journey, visit his official website or follow Indoor Swimming on Instagram and Spotify. You can also check out his open mic at The Celt every first Tuesday! For behind-the-scenes information and more about Journey of an Artist, visit the Journey of Series official webpage, or follow Emmeline on social media at @EmmelineMusic.

Send us Fan Mail “You need to have security and confidence enough in yourself to invite someone else into the creative process.”  How do you keep the creative process from getting stale? How can you ensure fruitful collaboration with fellow creatives? How can you preserve with a group the open mind and heart needed to write from a truly vulnerable space. How I Became A Wave tackles these questions and more in this episode! How I Became A Wave is more than just a band; it's a living, breathing collaborative that seeks to bring new musicians and new styles to every live show and recording. Helmed and conceived by Pat Carey, How I Became A Wave recently released its self-titled debut album. In this episode, Pat sits down with Emmeline to talk about how the project was created, how he was able to work with fellow musicians to breathe new and unique life into each of these songs, and what he's learned about vulnerability along the way. He also shares the importance of letting collaborators bring the fullness of themselves to each creative project! To learn more about How I Became A Wave, or to follow their musical journey, visit their official website or follow them on Instagram. For behind-the-scenes information and more about Journey of an Artist, visit the Journey of Series official webpage, or follow Emmeline on social media at @EmmelineMusic.

Send us Fan Mail "You just have to trust the process and keep going."  Sometimes, the creative process is quick--but sometimes, it takes years to honor the creative vision you have for a project. In this episode, Emmeline sits down with Christine Hand Jones and Kenady Sean, the two brilliant minds behind The Scarlet Letter musical! The women share more about how the musical began, what steps they've taken to hone the production over the years, and how acceptance into the Spark Theatre Festival in New York City inspired them to finally put together the show they'd always wanted to make. They also talk about the process of writing, rewriting, and casting so that every new creative perspective makes the show better. To learn more about The Scarlet Letter, or to get tickets to the DFW or NYC productions in April, visit The Scarlet Letter Musical Linktree. You can also learn more about the Broadway Bridge Project by following Kenady on social media or visiting her official website.  For behind-the-scenes information and more about Journey of an Artist, visit the Journey of Series official webpage, or follow Emmeline on social media at @EmmelineMusic.

Send us Fan Mail “The thing that’s going to kill you first is your ego.”  How do we balance our desire to do it all and be it all--and all of the messaging that tells us to do those things--with our knowledge that we aren't always the foremost expert?  In this episode, Emmeline sits down with Sean Martin of hard rock band The Quarantined to talk about how humility AND motivation can be collaborative forces in one's creative career. Sean shares about how the willingness to "start over" has been one of his greatest assets, how failure is actually a GOOD thing, and how “DIY has its place, but it can also destroy you if you only rely on it.” He also discusses how he managed to land his dream producer for The Quarantined's new album, Aversion to Normalcy.  To learn more about Sean and The Quarantined, or to follow their musical journey, visit their official website, follow them on Spotify, and stream the new album Aversion to Normalcy.  For behind-the-scenes information and more about Journey of an Artist, visit the Journey of Series official webpage, or follow Emmeline on social media at @EmmelineMusic.

Send us Fan Mail "I want to sing songs that sound like me."  When the whole world is telling you to follow a trend, or to cover a certain song, or to jump on the bandwagon of serious artistry, how should you respond? Mark Winters says: by being unapologetically YOU. In this episode, Emmeline sits down with Houston-based singer-songwriter Mark Winters to talk about how his positive attitude, unique scientific background, and happy home life have fueled his music career. Mark shares a story about picking up a guitar to play for his wife, then talks about how songwriting increasingly set his soul on fire. He also discusses how his belief in great days and great lives has helped him to infuse his sound with infectious optimism. Plus, Emmeline and Mark talk about the nerdy science behind WHY music is such an effective--and affective--art form.  To learn more about Mark Winters, or to follow his musical journey, visit his official website or follow him on Instagram. For behind-the-scenes information and more about Journey of an Artist, visit the Journey of Series official webpage, or follow Emmeline on social media at @EmmelineMusic.

Send us Fan Mail "I wanted to [release my music] the right way for me."  Irish singer-songwriter Seán Feeny's musical journey has been anything but linear. This journalist-turned-recording-artist has been making music in the background for a long time while covering other bands and keeping his finger on the pulse of current events. However, as he journeyed through professional life and fatherhood, the songs on his heart started to beg for a home--finally manifesting in his brand new record, Galactic Tides.  In this episode, Emmeline sits down with Seán to talk about the importance of timing, the need to create, and how family and professional life can impact--and ultimately enrich--one's musical journey! If you're looking for a sign that you should release your art, THIS is your episode. To learn more about Seán, or to follow his musical journey, visit his official website or find him on Instagram.  For behind-the-scenes information and more about Journey of an Artist, visit the Journey of Series official webpage, or follow Emmeline on social media at @EmmelineMusic.

Send us Fan Mail "If you have a creative desire or urge to do something, do it. Do it however it comes. Do it your own way."  How do we stay trendy as artists? How can we keep up with algorithms and technology to assure that we're always in the forefront of our audience's minds? Irish singer-songwriter and music industry veteran Ben Reel says these are the wrong questions. In this episode, Ben sits down with Emmeline to talk about his twelfth album, Spirit's Not Broken--and to share how he's made such a long and meaningful career in the music industry. He discusses the organic way in which the songwriting and production processes unfolded for him, the joy of getting lots of talented musicians in one room, and how his influences continue to shape his unique sound. Ben sees genre as irrelevant; the true question, he says, is the honesty of the music. He advocates for steeping yourself in the best music, then allowing those influences to inform you as you continue to diligently pursue your sound. He even gives us a glimpse at the song he wrote for his wife, "I Will." To learn more about Ben, or to follow his musical journey, visit his official website.  You can even read all of the lyrics from his new album! For behind-the-scenes information and more about Journey of an Artist, visit the Journey of Series official webpage, or follow Emmeline on social media at @EmmelineMusic.

Send us Fan Mail "Things work for a minute, and then you adapt."  How do you maintain a steady business--and a steady income--in an industry that is continuously evolving? How do you successfully chase passion AND stability? How do you stay inspired with a demanding schedule? In this episode, Emmeline sits down with BW Bridger, an accomplished guitar player, composer, audio engineer, video engineer, producer, band leader, teacher, and rehearsal space manager in the DFW area. A jack of all trades--and a true creative chameleon--BW has built a career on adaptability and sustainability, finding creative ways to solve the problems he encounters in the creative industries. He talks about the entrepreneurial spirit that has led him to pivot his business multiple times, about learning how to do things oneself as a creative, and about how everything you learn as a creative will have a future application--even if you don't see it yet! He and Emmeline also unpack the insecurity that plagues most artists. Lastly, BW gives us a sneak peek at his brand new track, "Underwater Timeout." To learn more about BW Bridger, or to follow his musical and entrepreneurial journey, follow him on Instagram or check out his rehearsal space, Jam Station DFW. You can also stream "Underwater Timeout" on all of your favorite streaming platforms! For behind-the-scenes information and more about Journey of an Artist, visit the Journey of Series official webpage, or follow Emmeline on social media at @EmmelineMusic.

Send us Fan Mail "Perhaps I must pick me up/ Perhaps I must carry me home gently."  How do artists survive in a world gone mad? How can we find ways to hold space for ourselves and for others? Can our art really be a safe space for us to both fall apart and piece ourselves back together? In the first Journey of an Artist of 2026, Emmeline tackles these questions and more with one of DFW's most beloved poets, River. River shares how various art forms have served as coping mechanisms for her over the years--from her poetry to her visual art--and how creation is not only a response to, but an antidote to destruction. She also shares two poems from her beautiful book of poetry, Still River. To learn more about River, or to follow River's artistic journey, find her on Instagram. You can also grab any of her books at her next live show! For behind-the-scenes information and more about Journey of an Artist, visit the Journey of Series official webpage, or follow Emmeline on social media at @EmmelineMusic.

Send us Fan Mail "You just have to let the magic happen."  For his brand new album, Django New Orleans II - Hors Série, legendary guitarist Stephane Wrembel stretched himself as a musician, composer, and vocalist. In this episode, Emmeline sits down with Stephane to talk about the process by which his new album came together, from his time in the studio to his time meditating on different themes and sounds for the record. Stephane shares some of his best practicing tips, reflects on singing at the mic for the first time on an album, and talks about the magic that happens when you get the right musicians in the right room at the same time and allow them the space and opportunity to be themselves. Emmeline and Stephane also talk briefly about psychology and how our human desire for unity manifests in music! Plus, hear two new full tracks from Stephane's new album: his favorite, "Nature Boy," and his original composition, "Holden Caulfield." To learn more about Stephane Wrembel, or to follow his musical journey, visit his official website or follow him on Instagram. For behind-the-scenes information and more about Journey of an Artist, visit the Journey of Series official webpage, or follow Emmeline on social media at @EmmelineMusic.