Today we’d like to introduce you to Emily Hicks.
Hi Emily, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’ve always been musical since I was a child (taking piano lessons, singing little songs, participating in my school music programs), but when I got my first guitar around the age of 16, my world changed. I began learning all my favorite Taylor Swift songs and singing along. Soon, I started writing my own songs and sharing them with friends and family. This is when my dream of becoming a singer/songwriter was born. However, I did not start really pursuing it until a few years later.
When it was time to go off to college, I decided I wanted to learn everything about music that I possibly could. Therefore, I chose to studio Music Education with piano as my performance instrument at the University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music in Ohio. For the next four years, I was thrown into the wonderfully intense world of classical music. My singer/songwriter dream took a backseat during this time, but I have no regrets. The knowledge I gained about music has been invaluable to me now as a career musician.
After college, my (new) husband and I chose to move to Salt Lake City from the midwest. When I got out here, I decided it was finally time to start pursuing my secret dream of becoming a singer/songwriter. I started small-busking at the Salt Lake farmers market. Then, I slowly tried getting some little gigs around the city. My first paid gig ever was playing cover songs for two hours at Even Steven’s, and they kept coming from there.
Today, I make most of my money playing gigs around the city, and I am working to build my audience as an artist. I have a lot of new music lined up for release this year, and the ultimate dream is to be able to support myself by playing MY own original songs for people around the world.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Not at all. The first obstacle was overcoming my own insecurities and anxieties. I questioned whether I was “good enough” or if people would even want to hear me sing. Then on top of that, I had a really bad stage fright. My hands and voice would shake like crazy anytime I was in front of people. But the more I did it, the easier it got. Now I feel very comfortable on stage.
Along with this, I’ve had to face a lot of rejection just like any independent artist: bookers who didn’t want to hire me, losing song contests, not getting accepted into certain programs, other writers or artists not wanting to work with me – you name it. The rejection is ongoing and will probably continue for as long as I chose to pursue this career. It’s part of the game! Luckily, I’ve learned to be resilient, push through the setbacks, and come out stronger on the other side.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a Salt Lake based Americana singer/songwriter. I have spent the last 5 years delving into the craft of songwriting and absorbing every bit of it I can. My original music is most known for its intimate lyrics and bold, soaring vocal melodies. This year I am finally releasing a lot of the songs I’ve been playing at shows around town for the past couple of years plus some new tunes that have never been heard.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
Social media has really changed the music industry in recent years. A huge challenge for me has been learning to connect with audiences on TikTok and Instagram. It’s not enough to just have good music or a good voice. You have to build your social media presence as an artist if you really want to launch your career. That’s why I always ask audiences to give me a follow on socials because as an independent artist, every follow counts and makes a big difference!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.emilyhicksmusic.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emilyhicksmusic/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emilyhicksmusic
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5NZq9gTkTS8y7S6rRzvPaZ?si=m6lqohw0TVy_GGGBk5s7cw
Image Credits
Beehive Photography & Video
Kendalls Media
