Emery Major
Emery may have moved to Brooklyn, but you can still feel his high-altitude roots in everything he does. A Colorado native, Emery Major is an independent singer-songwriter who combines the folk melodies of his youth with modern pop to create music that’s just plain fun.
The self-described “funny guy” cites his songwriting inspiration as Ed Sheeran, James Taylor, John Denver, and Flight of the Conchords (among others). Listen to his music on Spotify, Apple Music, and other streaming platforms by searching for his name in the search bar!
Q: Which song would you like featured?
“Union Square Park”, the lead single off my debut EP “It’s okay to be sad”.
Q: How long have you been creating music?
In 4th grade I changed the words to Nickelback’s “Rockstar” for a book report and it’s been off to the races ever since. I played saxophone in school jazz bands and concert bands, did musical theater productions, and eventually formed some garage bands in middle and high school. I get so much joy out of marrying the right word with the right rhyme, all the while being able to tell a story within a musical phrase.
Q: Do you have a preferred genre?
I spent a lot of time listening to James Taylor and John Denver growing up, so when I finally got a guitar in my hands I naturally gravitated towards learning and writing those types of tunes. I love all types of music, but I’ve always been fascinated with the way 70’s folk artists were able to tell a story through a song. Then, Ed Sheeran exploded on the scene in my formative years, and I loved the way he meshed folk elements with pop. Nowadays I spend my time fluctuating between singer-songwriter, folk/Americana, and pop.
Q: Do you write your own music, or do you collaborate?
I started out writing songs on my own, but eventually I met some amazing folks in NYC that I consistently write and work with (shout out to my producer and collaborator Benny Levs). I’m always looking to write with more people, so hit me up on Instagram!
Q: Tell us about your latest song, EP, or album.
My latest/debut EP “It’s okay to be sad” tells the story of someone who, at the start, is hopeless and stuck. Eventually they work through their fears of loss and the state of the world and find their happiness. By the end, they’re looking hopefully towards the future. The 4 songs were written over the span of several years, but are all able to work together to tell a story. “It’s okay to be sad” and “Union Square Park” were inspired by what I was going through and missing when the COVID-19 pandemic hit in the Spring of 2020. The last track “Neverland” is about 7 years old — I wrote it for my high school graduation.
Q: What is the best song you ever released and why?
Oh man… that’s really up to interpretation I suppose. I think “Union Square Park” has some of the best imagery I’ve written and really evokes a specific time, place, and feeling, whereas my song “Warning Signs” has a really lovely melody and always lands well with an audience — especially live.
Q: Do you, or would you like to, perform live?
I love performing live, so that would be a resounding “hell yeah”.
Q: Which of your songs is, or do you think would be, fun to perform live?
Like I said earlier, I love to sing “Warning Signs”. Usually the room goes totally silent by the end. The most fun though is “Badu”, which is a very silly song I wrote when I first met my girlfriend. I liked her and she didn’t really feel the same way at the time, so all I could do was write a song. I even sent the demo to her, which is insane. When I play it live it features a kazoo solo and by the end the whole audience is singing along. It’s silly, but extremely honest.
Q: What is your favorite/best outlet to connect with your followers Instagram, Spotify, FB, Twitter, iTunes? How would you want them to follow?
Instagram please! Give me a follow and shoot me a message: @emajorminor. I’m working on getting better at TikTok-ing, but I’m honestly still intimidated by it. You can also sign up for my mailing list on my website: https://www.emerymajor.com/
Q: Are you currently working on any projects we should look out for?
Yes! I’ve just about finished recording a folk/bluegrass cover of Paramore’s “Only Exception”. I’ve got some Nashville musicians on the track playing lap steel, mandolin, fiddle, banjo, and more. I’m really excited about how it’s coming together. I’m hoping for a late April release, so keep your ears peeled and follow me on Spotify!
