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Emily King, East Side Story
'I’m
just finding my own culture within myself.'
Committed to finding the common ground between rock and soul,
black and white, hip-hop party music and songs of protest the talented
young New York-based singer and songwriter Emily King has just completed
her debut album for J Records. Entitled East Side
Story, the album will
arrive in stores later this year, preceded by the first single pick,
her self-penned 'Walk in My Shoes.'
The daughter of two internationally renowned jazz singers – one
Italian and one African-American – 20-year old Emily was exposed
to music since early childhood. The mean and loving streets of the lower
eastside (where she still lives) were her nurturing ground, and imparted
a world view that can be felt on songs like 'Business
Man' (a commentary
on heartless capitalists, and the first song she completed) and 'Colorblind,'
the last song she wrote for the album. It is also the one that most directly
addresses her experience as the child of a mixed-race marriage. 'I think
that song really brings it all together,' says Emily. 'It sums up what
I’m about, where I’m from, and gives an idea of the passion
behind what I’m doing.'
Emily's multicultural background provided her with a wide range of musical
influences and these can be easily recognised on East Side Story, from
the Beatles and Nas, to Sarah Vaughan and Radiohead, from Michael Jackson
to Neil Young. 'Every record that I’ve ever heard has been an influence
on me,' she says, 'there are so many things in this world to talk about.'
'I’ve always been an observer, I’ve always really tuned in
to people and their stories, their feelings,' adds Emily. 'I’m
just finding my own culture within myself. We have a lot of division
in our society, but I was never raised like that. I feel like what I’m
doing right now is going to bring a lot of people together.'
To find out more about Emily King and to listen to some of the tracks
on East
Side Story click here:
Source:
