Emma Driver
Emma Driver has just released her latest single “Try Hard”. The powerful new single describes the feeling of caring too much of what people might think of us.
After being diagnosed with Lymphoma, the Nashville-based artist had to take a break from music. Now in remission, Driver is back with new empowering and inspiring music. “Try Hard” is the first single since her cancer journey. New music is on the way with the release of an upcoming EP titled Ashamed To Admit This.
“Try Hard” is now available everywhere.
Photo credit: Athena Kulb
Hi Emma, how are you? What's your story?
Hello! I’m a songwriter and recording artist living in Nashville, Tennessee. I’m from Brooklyn and grew up there for the first 18 years of my life, then came to Tennessee for College and stuck around. At 27 I was diagnosed with Lymphoma and had to take a break from releasing music while I underwent chemotherapy, and I’m thankfully in remission now. Try Hard is the first single I’ve released since my cancer journey, and it’s very cathartic for me to put it out. When I wrote the song years ago, I was resentful of myself for caring so much what other people thought, and I thought that meant I didn’t know myself. After grappling with my own mortality I was able to really embrace this about myself. Of course I care, of course I’m going to try, I wanted to live! It’s been such an enlightening experience to have this song change meanings to me throughout my life, I can palpably feel myself growing.
Do you remember your earliest musical memory?
My earliest musical memory is singing in a four person church choir at a Episcopalian church in Brooklyn where I also went to pre-school. I loved the hymn “Go Down Moses” and our director was very supportive of the fact that I was a complete ham. I was one of the first places I felt like I could really be myself.
What did you grow up listening to?
Growing up, I listened to a lot of 60s singer songwriters like Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Joni Mitchell and Joan Baez. There was also an Etta James’ Greatest Hits album that was on repeat. Also anything related to Fueled By Ramen. I’ve always had a really diverse music taste, different vibes help me with different moods but I’m a sucker for a great lyric.
When did you know you had to become an artist and release your original music?
I’ve always had something to say, but I’ve struggled a lot throughout my life with giving myself permission to say it. Getting cancer really flipped my perspective on this. When I was in the darkest night of the soul, the one thing that felt like a ladder out of my own despair was music. Why would I not give myself the gift of sharing that with other people? The only one I needed permission from was myself, but I was always looking for external proof it was okay to speak my truth. Cancer taught me it’s enough to just do it for me. Hopefully people like it, but ultimately I learn more about myself each time I go through the process of releasing music, and I’ve grown so much now I just want to keep growing.
Do you remember a specific time in your life where music made a huge impact in your life?
Music has always been a processing tool for me. It helps me tap into emotions that are too scary and sad to even talk about, and gives me a safe space to feel and ultimately heal them. It makes me think of the Bob Marley quote about when it hits you, you feel no pain. It was huge for me when I knew I would be going into chemo because I always felt so terrible for days after, I’d have to pysch myself up to go in. I made a few playlists to try and remind myself I was going to be okay. My favorite song off of them was “Hospital” by Remi Wolf and Madison Cunningham.
"Try Hard" is your latest single - what's the inspiration behind this song?
Try Hard is about me recognizing I care a bit too much about what other people think and need to get over myself. When I first wrote it, I was really ashamed of this and almost didn’t release the song because of it. It felt vulnerable to admit I was letting how other people perceive me dictate my internal landscape, but in hindsight I was being hard on myself. It’s human to want to care and be liked. A lot of what I thought other people were thinking about me was just how I felt about myself.
Getting cancer allowed me to see how critical I was being of myself and how it influenced everything in my life from personal relationships, to my career. The way I would speak to myself kept me from having the courage to do what I wanted to do. When I realized I needed to face this, and own the fact that I care, I finally felt ready to record and release the song. The whole process was so transformative and inspired the upcoming EP “Ashamed To Admit This”.
Could you describe the songwriting/production process for this song? When did you start working on it? Who helped you create it?
I started as a guitar vocal demo on my couch at my old house. The lyrics and hook just fell out of me. I demoed it once in a studio with some musicians in Nashville and my ex who was going to produce it. That was a bad idea and just ended up stalling the song.
After I got cancer, I felt like I needed to share it. I had a close friend I’d worked with who encouraged me to try again. I am so eternally grateful to my friend Nik for encouraging and supporting me in this time. He introduced me to a friend of his, Hallie, who also helped co-produce the song. Finally, I brought that demo to my friend Joey and Al (Supr8 Studios) in New York and the song fully came to life.
What did you feel when recording this song?
I felt so alive! I felt like I had returned to myself after the most arduous journey to begin a, while challenging, very exciting new adventure.
What's your favorite lyric on "Try Hard"?
It’s a tie between “What a nightmare to be perceived” and “A wish for apathy, asking if you’re mad at me”.
What can you tell us about the artwork?
That photo was taken in my backyard by my good friend Athena Kulb who I’ve worked with for years. The morning of this shoot I actually called her crying because I knew how important it was for me to accept and love myself in this new form, but I was scared to be fully seen. I had to let myself feel the pain of losing my hair and acknowledging it’s not what I would have chosen, to get to that point. It was, and still is, a struggle for me, but I’m very happy with how it turned out, and proud for letting myself be seen authentically.
What do you want people to feel when listening to this single? What message do you want to deliver?
I want people to know they’re not alone in feeling this way, and I hope it helps them accept themselves. The line in the chorus “tell me that I’m not alone” is so honest, I really did just release this song in the hopes people would tell me I’m not crazy. Glad to report it worked!
What are your thoughts on today's social media? How does it impact your career?
Social media actually is my career! I also work in marketing for a music venue called The Caverns so I spend a lot of time analyzing trends and trying to get to the bottom of what gets people’s attention. It’s been really interesting to see how different the content I create for my job is versus the content I create to try and get people to listen to my music. Ultimately though the common thread is finding what connects people. Social media can be an incredible tool for connecting if you can make it fun instead of a chore.
Could you list a few records that influenced the music you are making today?
I’m loving Del Water Gap’s “I Miss You Already + You Haven’t Left Yet”, Benson Boone’s “Fireworks and Rollerblades” and Billie Eilish’s latest album.
Besides music, what are you passionate about?
I love working out and yoga. Moving my body is another great way I’ve found to process my emotions in a healthy way.
What biggest life lessons have you learned?
You might be your own worst enemy! Pay attention to the way you talk to yourself and make sure it’s how you would a friend. At the end of the day you spend the most time with yourself so make sure your internal landscape is one you like.
Photo credit: Athena Kulb
What message do you want to give to anyone going through cancer right now?
I’m so sorry you’re going through this, and honestly just do whatever you need to do to get by. The only people who really get it are those who’ve experienced it first hand, you just have to keep fighting and when you’re too weak to fight do your best to let others hold you and support you. You are so very worth trying for.
In your opinion, what would make the world a BETTER place?
People being more curious and open minded about understanding other people. I think there’s a quickness today to just write people off if they don’t agree or understand. But the only way to get our society closer to fixing our problems is to talk about it.
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