"What a beautiful day out here in the park." Inspiration for a song can come from anywhere around us is we stay open and curious. There's also a lot to be said for allowing oneself to surrender to a vibe.In this episode, innovative songwriter and producer Daniel Candiotta sits down with Emmeline to talk about how the gift of breadsticks one fateful day led him to compose an entire EP. He also discusses his goal of releasing one EP a week--a surefire exercise in home recording, music production, and accountability. Daniel shares how he combats perfectionism and how his experience of the studio and of putting music together has evolved over the years. Plus, hear his hilarious stories about the evolution of his brand new single, "Duck Pond Eyes."To learn more about Daniel Candiotta, or to follow his musical journey, visit him on Instagram, Spotify, and all over the web. For behind-the-scenes information and more about Journey of a Song, follow Emmeline on social media or visit the Journey of Series official webpage. You can also hear songs from previous episodes on the Journey of a Song Official Spotify playlist.

"Where does the wind take you?" Have you ever wanted something so badly, needed something so badly, that despite your best attempts, the need overtook you?  In the atmospheric, immersive "Ikarus," ¿Dónde está Alicia? explores Icarus's narrative from Greek mythology from this perspective of deep yearning.In this episode, Journey of a Song goes bilingual! Emmeline sits down with Javier Nunez of ¿Dónde está Alicia? to talk about functioning in two languages as a musician, the journey of therapy, and the difficult but rewarding path of self-knowledge. Javier also shares a bit about writing and recording with a band from a distance--from home recording techniques to the unexpected ways in which songs can evolve with outside input!To learn more about ¿Dónde está Alicia? or to follow their musical journey, visit the band on Instagram or on Spotify. For behind-the-scenes information and more about Journey of a Song, follow Emmeline on social media or visit the Journey of Series official webpage. You can also hear songs from previous episodes on the Journey of a Song Official Spotify playlist.

"Deep in the woods, things aren’t always what they seem..." Songs might usually have some sort of emotional impetus, some big feeling that catapults them into being--but not all songs start with a feeling. Not all songs are initially borne from that place deep down inside of us that says, "See me. Hear me. Know me."Some songs start, quite simply, with a prompt.In this episode, folk and Americana artist Baylist Laramore shares how his eerie, contemplative track, "Flashing Lights," came from the combined influences of a prompt from a writers' group and a book he couldn't put down. Baylis talks about coming to songwriting later in life, about the importance of finding a songwriting community, and how writing prompts and musical friendships have inspired him to keep writing, keep singing, and keep creating. He also discusses the beauty of the Kerrville Folk Festival!To hear more from Baylis, or to follow his musical journey, visit him online or on Instagram. For behind-the-scenes information and more about Journey of a Song, follow Emmeline on social media or visit the Journey of Series official webpage. You can also hear songs from previous episodes on the Journey of a Song Official Spotify playlist.

"You were the spark that set my world on fire." The best thing about songwriting is that it's honest. When we dig deep down to write from an authentic emotional place, songwriting always tells us the truth. Sometimes, it helps us find elusive truths. In Episode #36 of Journey of an Artist, Tony Mendoza shared the beautiful story of the magical love he shared with his wife, Angela. In this episode of Journey of a Song, Tony shares the song he wrote for Angela to commemorate their love story. He talks with Emmeline about how, when he began songwriting as a form of processing his grief, he expected to write sad songs...but the more he wrote, the more he realized  Jamie Anderson's truth that, "Grief is just love with no place to go." To learn more about Angela and Tony and their story, or to contribute to the scholarship fund in Angela's honor, please visit the official page for Angela's book, Dear Friends and Family. All proceeds from the sales, downloads, and streams of "Why I Love You" go directly to fund the next scholarship in Angela's name.

"I think I'll cancel my plans today, so I can drive and see your face." Sometimes, a song starts with a line. Sometimes, it starts with a melody. For Dallas-based singer-songwriter Remy Reilly, "What Do Ya Know" started with a vibe.She knew the sound she wanted, and she knew the collaborator she wanted: Jonathan Tyler of Jonathan Tyler and the Northern Lights. The two spent an afternoon in the studio trying to capture a dreamy, feel-good summer vibe and left with one verse in their pockets.Remy wrote the rest of the song on the car ride to that night's gig.In this episode, Emmeline and Remy talk about finding inspiration for new compositions, cowriting, the influence playing live can have on a songwriter, and much, much more! Plus, hear a cameo from Remy's pet parrot!To learn more about Remy Reilly, or to follow her musical journey, visit her official website. For behind-the-scenes information and more about Journey of a Song, follow Emmeline on social mediaor visit the Journey of Series official webpage. You can also hear songs from previous episodes on the Journey of a Song Official Spotify playlist.

"I'm gonna thrive, just because I'll fight." Maybe you need some encouragement. Maybe you need someone to remind you that you're not defined by your insecurities. Maybe you need to take a deep breath, screw up your courage, and invest in yourself.In her moments of doubt, Chloe Clemente wrote "Angels Cry"--and she wants her new single to be your motivation to become your best self.In this episode, Emmeline sits down with Chloe to talk about investing in self, the importance of education, the beauty of a supportive community, and the essential nature of vulnerability in music. Chloe shares the almost supernatural process by which "Angels Cry" was written and talks about how it chronicles her journey through depression. Emmeline and Chloe also discuss their mutual love of dogs--and how Chloe's dog accidentally made it into the final cut of "Angels Cry"!To learn more about Chloe Clemente, or to follow her musical journey, visit her on Instagram or check out her official website. For behind-the-scenes information and more about Journey of a Song, follow Emmeline on social media or visit the Journey of Series official webpage. You can also hear songs from previous episodes on the Journey of a Song Official Spotify playlist.

"Somehow I don't think you'll ever love anyone but you." How can you combine caustic wit and heartfelt honesty in a song? What do you do when you've got a story without a chorus? Can you write an authentic and meaningful song to a prompt?Douglas Allen has these answers and more.In this episode, Emmeline sits down with Douglas Allen to discuss his post-relationship anthem, "The Breakup."  Douglas shares the story behind the song, talks about song form, and discusses the importance of leaning into the mood each song presents. Emmeline and Douglas also talk about how the meaning of a song can change for the artist over time, and why interaction with listeners means so very much to songwriters.To learn more about Douglas Allen, or to follow his musical journey, visit his official website. For behind-the-scenes information and more about Journey of a Song, follow Emmeline on social media or visit the Journey of Series official webpage. You can also hear songs from previous episodes on the Journey of a Song Official Spotify playlist.

"I keep finding pieces below the surface, working their way out." We're all searching for purpose. We're all desperate for meaning.In "Hattertown Road," Austin-based songwriter Kris Schultz articulates that yearning and shares how beautiful it can be to be given the space to search. In this episode, Emmeline sits down with Kris to talk about how some songs depict familial relationships, how presence really can be the most beautiful gift, how the voice memos we send to ourselves often hold all of the secrets of songwriting, and how it's never too late to start songwriting!They also share their PTSD moments from COVID and discuss different methods and timelines for song production.To learn more about Kris Schultz, or to follow her musical journey, visit her official website. For behind-the-scenes info and more about Journey of a Song, follow @EmmelineMusic on social media or visit the Journey of Series official webpage. You can hear songs from previous episodes through the Journey of a Song Official Spotify Playlist.

"What is it like to know it’s okay if you go slow?"What does anxiety feel like? What does it sound like?When is it over?In "Until Home," Alyssa Gillen tackles these questions and more, writing in a very personal way about the effort we make to be put together, socially acceptable, and productive.In this episode, Emmeline and Alyssa talk about persistent melodic ideas, the organic way songs grow over time, and and how music gives us space to be ourselves. They also discuss social programming, how to function honestly and healthfully in an achievement-driven society, and why perfectionism is a thing we should all leave behind ASAP. They even share a mutual love for Dr. Bessel van der Kolk's amazing book, The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma. To learn more about Alyssa Gillen, or to follow her musical journey, visit her Linktree. For behind-the-scenes info and more about Journey of a Song, follow Emmeline on social media at @EmmelineMusic or visit the Journey of Series official webpage. You can hear songs from previous episodes on the Journey of a Song official Spotify playlist.

"What am I supposed to do when you look at me like that, like you know my whole life and you still want to hear it?"Have you ever had feelings that you weren't sure were requited? Have you ever been reluctantly drawn to a relationship that broke you wide open?In "American Denim," songwriter Sam Cormier seeks to navigate those feelings with innovative, open guitar tunings and sweeping melodic lines. Using layered harmonies and minimal production to capture the feeling of a live performance, Sam aims for a musical snapshot of the wild uncertainty of a crush and the reckless rush of attraction.In this episode, Sam and Emmeline talk about the importance of growing into a lyrical idea and waiting for one's life to catch up to the thoughts within a forming  song. They also talk about the freedom of open chords and tunings on acoustic guitar, the impossibly beautiful challenge of telling the truth in songs, and why fast driving is such a delicious endeavor. Emmeline references Ani DiFranco's "Falling is Like This," and Sam talks about taking musical ownership of his identity as a gay man. He also shares how the scariness of navigating a queer identity can add an extra layer of risk to a potential relationship.To learn more about Sam Cormier, or to follow his musical journey, follow him on Instagram at @samcormier_music. For behind the scenes information and more about Journey of a Song, follow Emmeline on social media at @EmmelineMusic or visit the Journey of Series official webpage. You can also hear songs from previous episodes through the Journey of a Song Official Spotify Playlist.