Spindle Home Session: Emily Burns Performs Her Bittersweet Track ‘Vanilla Sundae’
Emily Burns is a pop artist that’s in route to becoming one of the UK’s biggest emerging acts. The multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter first found success at the end of 2019 with her heart wrenching track ‘Is It Just Me’. The songstress has since gone on to tour with James Arthur and released an array of singles including her latest track ‘Curse’. COVID-19 hasn’t put a wrench in the songstress music plans, with Emily taking advantage of the time by performing on her Instagram live and starting a Zoom series with fans called ‘Terrified Talks’. With a brand new EP ‘I Love You, You’re the Worst’ set for release this month Emily Burns show’s no signs of slowing down.
Emily Burns was able to perform touching rendition of her single ‘Vanilla Sundae’. Tune into her full performance here. We were also able to chat with the songstress about her new single ‘Curse’, her series ‘Terrified Talks’ series and more. Read our interview below…
We hear you have an amazing new single coming out called ‘Curse’! Can you take us through the lyrics? What is the underlying message of the track?
I wrote “Curse” about how everyone else seems to be able to fall in and out of love all the time, and it feels as though I’m an outsider, looking in. As if love is this transcendental world that only I don’t know how to access – “Everybody’s underneath a curse, but it doesn’t work on me.” I talk as though love is this awful thing that I don’t actually want to find…
Will there be a video for the single?
I’m really fortunate to have made a video for this single that I’m super proud of, given the current circumstances. It involved a LOT of help from my housemate and an old VCR camera. He actually woke up at 4am one morning to walk up to Primrose Hill with me and get some shots at sunrise… what a hero.
Absolutely in love with your track “Press Pause”! What activities or hobbies do you do to “press pause” when you feel that the world is getting too heavy?
Thank you!! I’ve actually gotten pretty good at “pressing pause” when things get heavy. I like to take my mind out of things by doing something completely unrelated to my normal day to day stuff. You’ll often find me at the driving range or playing darts or football with friends. I love going to the cinema too… feels like one of the only places you can really shut your mind off from reality for a couple of hours.
Can you tell us about your Zoom series ‘Terrified Talks’? What type of outlet do you want this series to be for your fans?
The idea for doing this came about when I released my song “Terrified” and had an overwhelming response from people saying that they really relate to and connect with the lyrics, especially given the current climate. The song is about feeling anxious and worried about what might happen next. I think we’re all so used to saying that we’re coping when sometimes we’re just not, and it’s important to talk about that.
I wanted to find a way to chat to as many of these people as I could, so I set up a zoom call and sent out a link for my fans to sign up to. On the calls, we just chat about how we’re all feeling and what might be causing us to feel anxious and scared right now. Some people ask questions and some people give advice, it’s super open and vulnerable and I’m always overwhelmed by everyone’s willingness to speak candidly about what they’re personally going through.
Do you feel that your constant interaction with your fans – performing, Q&A’s and ‘Terrified Talks’– has helped keep you sane during this time of self-isolation? Has it helped with your creativity?
I honestly am so grateful to be able to interact with people so much during this time. I feel like I’ve gotten to know some of my fans in a way that I never would have gotten the chance to before. And seeing some of them form friendships between themselves is a beautiful thing too, it’s definitely kept a smile on my face throughout lockdown.
In terms of staying creative, knowing that I have people who are excited to hear new stuff from me is a definite motivator yes!
What’s your current list of shows and movies that you’re binge-watching at the moment?
I just finished watching “White Lines” which I really enjoyed but it’s pretty heavy, so usually have to follow that up with an episode of “Friends” to calm me down afterwards haha. I’m also in the middle of Prison Break, Money Heist and Killing Eve … I think I have quite a short attention span so like to keep it fresh by watching a few things at once!
If you could quarantine with five of your music idols who would they be?
Oooo this is hard. I’d have to pick P!nk first, ‘cause she’s just really cool isn’t she. Would throw Ed Sheeran in the mix so that I could hassle him all the time to write songs together. H.E.R because she’d bring all the vibes. Billie Eilish so that she could sing to me all day every day. And Usher because, Usher.
Can fans expect more new music in the coming months? Maybe an EP or an album?
The tracks that I’m releasing at the moment are part of an EP that’s on it’s way imminently! I’m really proud of it, it’s got one of my favourite songs I’ve ever written on it. I’ve got music stacked up and ready to go and some very exciting things on the way so yesss, can’t wait.
