Emily Haber
Singer/songwriter Emily Haber has just released her debut single “Nostalgia”, off her upcoming EP from the same name. Produced by Daniel Dávila, the song is a tribute to the childhood she longed for but never truly had.
“Nostalgia” is without a doubt one of the most promising songs I’ve heard in a while. It is perfectly written; it is vulnerable, honest and simply stunning.
As a songwriter, Haber has collaborated with numerous artists like Andy Grammer, Joy Oladokun, Gryffin, Abby Anderson, Miki Ratsula, Devon Gabriella, and many more.
Haber will donate a portion of the proceeds of the new single to The Starkey Hearing Foundation, which gives the gift of hearing and connecting people with the world around them.
“Nostalgia” is now available everywhere !
Hi Emily, how are you? What's your story?
Hi! I’m so excited to be here — thank you for having me. My journey has always been rooted in music. I grew up performing in a family band with my parents, touring across the country throughout my childhood. After my mom passed away in 2015, I started figuring out my own path in music. I was born with severe hearing loss and have worn hearing aids since I was 4. Due to less advanced technology at the time, I relied on instinct and muscle memory to get through performances growing up…but I always loved writing. It wasn’t until I was 17, when hearing aids really advanced and I was first connected to The Starkey Hearing Foundation, that I heard layers in music for the first time the way most people do. At 19, I moved to Nashville, spent years honing my craft, and eventually signed with Prescription Songs in 2017. Since then, I’ve written for artists like Andy Grammer and Joy Oladokun, with my songs featured in TV and film. Now, after years of writing for others, I’m releasing my own music…starting with, “Nostalgia”.
What did you grow up listening to?
I grew up listening to a little bit of everything, but my mom really raised me on ‘70s singer-songwriters — Carole King, Joni Mitchell, Stevie Wonder, James Taylor, and so many more. Those artists shaped the way I think about music, especially when it comes to storytelling. Lyricism has always been at the heart of what I love most about songwriting; how just a few words can capture an entire lifetime of emotion.
Carole King, in particular, has been my biggest inspiration. Her ability to write songs that feel both deeply personal and universally relatable is something I’ve always admired. When I was in college, my aunt framed her Tapestry record for me, and it’s the one thing I’ve carried with me from place to place ever since. No matter where I’ve lived, that album has been a constant. It’s a reminder of why I fell in love with songwriting in the first place.
When did you start writing songs? What made you want to write in the first place?
I started writing songs with my parents when I was about 9 or 10, but it wasn’t until I was 14 that I really fell in love with writing on my own. It became a way to process my emotions and experiences, especially during a time when so much of my life felt out of my control. Being in a family band wasn’t something I chose, but songwriting was. It gave me a sense of agency; a way to make sense of everything happening around me. I think I was drawn to it because songs have this unique ability to hold memories in a way nothing else can.
Do you remember the first song you've ever written? As a songwriter, what lessons have you learned since then?
I think the first song I ever wrote by myself was about a crush I had when I was 14! Not exactly a hit, but at the time, I was so proud of it. Since then, I’ve learned that the best songs come from honesty. When I first started writing, I thought it was more about making something sound good, but now I know it’s really about making something feel real. The songs that tend to stick with people aren’t always the most polished…they’re the ones that make you stop and think, “I’ve felt that too.”
"Nostalgia" is your latest single - what's the story/inspiration behind this song?
Nostalgia was inspired by the moments that shape us — the ones we long for, the ones we miss, and even the ones we didn’t get to experience the way we imagined. I grew up in a touring family band, so my childhood was anything but ordinary. This song is about looking back at those years with both gratitude and grief, embracing what I was given while also recognizing what I had to let go of.
Could you describe the songwriting/production process for this single? When did you start working on it? Who helped you create it?
I wrote Nostalgia alone on my Taylor GS Mini guitar. It started as just a quiet moment of reflection, playing through old memories. When I brought it to Daniel Dávila, who produced it, he really helped bring it to life in a way that honored my singer-songwriter roots while giving it a unique sonic depth. His production added this rhythmic energy and subtle electronic textures that made the song feel both intimate and cinematic.
What did you feel when recording "Nostalgia"?
A mix of emotions, honestly. There were moments when I felt completely at peace with the memories I was singing about, and others where I felt a deep ache for the past. Recording this song felt like opening a time capsule.
What's your favorite lyric in this song?
One of my favorite lyrics in Nostalgia is:
"Didn’t know the small stuff would be the biggest part."
Because, wow, if that isn’t the truth. So much of this song is about looking back and realizing that the moments I thought were insignificant (the tiny, in-between things) ended up meaning the most.
What do you want people to feel when listening to this single? What message do you want to deliver?
I hope people feel understood when they hear it. Nostalgia is such a universal emotion…we all have moments we wish we could relive, people we miss, and times we didn’t appreciate until they were gone. If this song makes someone feel less alone in that, then it’s done its job.
You're going to donate a portion of the proceeds of the new single to the Starkey Hearing Foundation - what can you tell us about this foundation and why is it important to you?
Starkey’s mission is to give the gift of hearing to people around the world. But what makes their work so special is that they understand hearing isn’t just about sound — it’s about connection. As someone with severe hearing loss, I know firsthand how isolating it can be to not fully hear the world around you. Starkey changes lives by making that connection possible. I’ve been to their headquarters twice, and most recently, I was fitted with my own pair of Edge AI hearing aids by Bill Austin himself, which was truly life-changing. Supporting their mission through my music is an honor.
What are your thoughts on today's music industry? If you could change one thing, what would it be?
The industry is always changing, which is both exciting and frustrating. If I could change one thing, it would be how songwriters are paid. The people writing the songs (the backbone of the entire industry) are often making the least from them. Streaming changed everything, but the payout system hasn’t caught up, and most songwriters can’t make a living from their work anymore.
A song can have millions of streams, but the writers behind it might see next to nothing. Meanwhile, everyone else — labels, streaming platforms, even playlists — profits from their work. Songwriters deserve to be valued and paid fairly for the music that keeps this industry alive.
Could you list a few records that influenced the music you are making today?
Tapestry by Carole King, Blue by Joni Mitchell, Chasing Down The Wind by Green River Ordinance, and James Taylor’s Sweet Baby James. All four of those records remind me why I love songwriting so much.
Besides music, what are you passionate about?
Writing in any form — whether it’s journaling, poetry, or storytelling. Yoga is also a huge part of my life. I got my 200-hour certification a few years ago, and it’s one of the few things that keeps me feeling grounded. Baking is something I turn to when I need a break from everything else. There’s something so therapeutic about creating something with your hands and sharing it with people you love. At the end of the day, I think connection is what I care about most. Be it through music, writing, yoga, or baking, I love anything that brings people together.
In your opinion, what would make the world a BETTER place?
This is such a big question, but honestly, I think the world would be a much better place if people actually listened to each other. And, yes, this is coming from someone who wears hearing aids. So much gets lost because everyone is just waiting for their turn to talk instead of really hearing what the other person is saying. When we stop trying to prove a point or change someone’s mind and just listen, there’s so much more room for real understanding. That’s one of the things I love most about music — it cuts through all the noise and makes people feel seen in a way that words alone sometimes can’t.
What biggest life lessons have you learned so far?
That grief and love are two sides of the same coin. Losing someone you love never stops hurting, but it also means you got to love someone in a way that was rare and irreplaceable. That kind of love changes you forever. And if anything, grief has taught me that there’s no such thing as the “perfect moment.” Life is happening right now.
What can we expect to hear/see next?
Nostalgia, the five song EP, is coming soon, and it’s a deeply personal project about grief, memory, and holding onto the people and moments that shape us. I’m also continuing to write for other artists and TV/film, which is where my heart has always been. I’m excited to see where these songs find their home.
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