Emily Gurklis
I am very happy to introduce you to indie folk/pop artist Emily Gurklis. She’s just released her second single “Waiting on the Rain”. Personal and emotional, the new single highlights Emily’s magical vocals and storytelling. Emily Gurklis is, without a doubt, a promising artist/songwriter and I cannot wait to hear more music :) Congrats Emily on this new single. You are an amazing talent !
“Waiting on the Rain” is now available worldwide.
Photo credit: Victoria Sempsrott
Introduce yourself - what's your story?
First and foremost, I’m a songwriter! Music is something that’s always been inside of me but has taken lots of time and commitment to cultivate and grow. I currently live in south Florida so I write a lot in Miami as well as travel to Nashville frequently. I’ve been co-writing consistently for the past three years across genres but mainly stick to pop, indie and folk. When I’m not writing music, I’m doing yoga, reading or taking pictures of my adorable pitbull mix, June.
How would you define Emily Gurklis, the artist?
I’ve centered my artist project around the idea of being honest and relatable. I love folk-inspired melodies and emotionally charged, meaningful lyrics. Music is an incredibly powerful medium and I want people to be able to connect with my songs in a way that reminds them they aren’t alone in what they’re experiencing.
"Waiting on the Rain" is your new single - what's the story/inspiration behind this song?
Sometimes when life is going seemingly well I begin to experience a little paranoia- like I’m “overdue” for catastrophe. “Waiting on the Rain” was birthed out of this anxiety over a sense of impending doom. Always bringing the ~positive vibes.~
Could you describe the songwriting/production process for this song? Who helped you create it?
I wrote “Waiting on the Rain” almost two years ago to the date on my acoustic guitar. Every once in a while, ideas just flow and this was one of those rare, inspired moments for me. It took some time to tweak and edit. I then brought the song to my producer, Asher Peterson, in Nashville. We worked together to build a demo and then tracked the guitar pieces (Juan Solorzano) and drums (Asher) in a studio space. Asher worked his magic, adding keys, swells, strings, etc. We did some cool layered harmonies to create an ethereal feeling. I’m in love with how it turned out sonically!
What did you feel when writing this song?
Honestly writing this song was very cathartic for me! I’d played with the concept a couple of times before but never landed the right angle. It was a sweet, melancholic experience which I hope was translated into the final product.
What made you want to release "Waiting on the Rain" as a single?
I spend the bulk of my time writing for other artists but still love writing on my own as well. Every once in a while, I’ll create something that feels really personal to my story. “WOTR” was one of the those songs. I’ve played it at several songwriting rounds and it just sort of became/remained mine. I also felt the tone of the song aligned with my artist vision well so it was a perfect fit.
What can you tell us about the artwork?
My best friend Victoria Sempsrott is an incredibly talented photographer. We rented out a local studio and set up a hanging window blind with a single warm light projecting through it. It created these beautiful moody horizontal lines across the blank white space, creating the illusion of me looking out of a window at the rain. My graphic designer friend Trevor Gallagher then added some simple text to keep the photo as the central focus.
What do you want people to feel when listening to "Waiting on the Rain"?
I hope people are able to see themselves and their own moments of pessimism in the narrative. My main aim when creating is to evoke emotion- but leaving that somewhat open ended so it can be experienced uniquely by each listener.
As an artist, what is the hardest part? And what is the best part?
The best part is getting to share my stories and watch them resonate with others! It’s just so very special. The hardest part is often time management for all the moving parts involved.. as well as dealing with the anxiety that comes along with putting a piece of your soul out into the universe!
What are your thoughts on today's music industry? If you could change one thing, what would it be?
Sometimes the industry feels impossible and maybe even rigged. However there’s a lot of beauty to be found, especially in collaborating with others! If I could change one thing I think it would be making things more accessible and equitable for all creators.. with ample opportunities for all voices to be heard and celebrated.
Why do you make music? What keeps you going?
I make music because I can’t not make music. It’s just sort of inevitable for me. I took a hiatus for a few years and realized it’s impossible to run from. The joy it brings me is unparalleled and compels me to keep pushing forward.
What's the best advice you've ever received?
Really simple. “Take it one day at a time.” Sometimes I hate when people tell me that but they’re almost always right. All you can do is the next best thing and eventually all those small steps add up.
What biggest life lessons have you learned so far?
Might be a little cliche but I’m learning to believe in myself and the unique skill set I bring to the table. I think if you learn to present your ideas with confidence, others will find it easier to catch on to them.
In your opinion, what would make the world a better place?
Empathy and understanding. They may be buzzwords but they’re lacking in my opinion. We only see a fraction of people’s reality and we should extend kindness whenever possible.
What message do you want to deliver to the world?
I hope my music makes listeners feel a little less alone and a little more understood. :)
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