Who is Emily-Rose?
Does anyone ever know who they are?! Emily-Rose is very changeable, which is possibly why she could never stick to specialising in one genre of music and constantly spreads herself like the best kind of crunchy peanut butter across multiple projects – whether that be collaborating with other musical artists she loves, producing albums, planning tours or going 100% at a bush regen project out the front of her house.
I’d say ultimately though, Emily-Rose is someone who always tries her best in whatever she decides is worth throwing her energy behind. To an audience member that might be improvising on the piano, playing tunes on accordion or singing intricate song lyrics professing her love of nature.
To those who know her intimately, that might be learning new skills, working on her garden, or giving too much problem solving advice. Like so many in this world, she is trying to find what she can do to make even just a tiny slice of the world a better place.
What would you do differently from what you do now?
I have had a bad habit over the years of sticking with something that isn’t working for too long. My deep commitment to follow through on projects or ideas has definitely gotten the better of me, and I’ve ignored my gut instinct in favour of ‘making it work because I said I would’.
I would say that these days I’m less afraid of letting things go if they don’t feel right. I’m also less afraid of things in general. As a young person I was afraid to advocate for myself, afraid of being disliked, afraid of making a bad impression. These days I give a lot less f*cks. I wish I’d cared less in my younger years as well.
Who inspires you and why?
Badass women. Women who are unapologetic, who make beautiful things, who strive for excellence and aren’t afraid to call out bullshit in society. I’ve really enjoyed watching the rise of Hannah Ferguson in the public eye at the moment – she is so strong, educated and to the point.
Someone else I found incredibly inspiring to hear speak in recent years was Rhiannon Giddens, the American folk musician whose career spans so much amazing terrain. I am also always so humbled and inspired by my friends right here, who are kind and hard working, who advocate for positive change constantly in the world.
What would you do to make a difference in the world?
What WOULD I do? I really hope that I am always doing this. I always look for ways I can make positive impacts in many facets of life. That may be with using my songwriting to encourage listeners to think and feel more deeply on important issues. It may be with decisions I make around who I work with, or where I may be able to volunteer to work for a good cause.
I feel very passionately about environmental advocacy, and I really am on a constant path to look for ways to be involved in this. My next album centres around environmental advocacy and the idea that, as humans, we are nature – so we need to remember and find ways to connect back in with ourselves as natural beings, who want to protect our natural home. I’m working on how to release the music and use it to make the best impact I can with it.
Favourite holiday destination and why?
Heron Island comes to mind here. I went there once when I was 15. It was magic. I fell in love with the ocean, and the incredible creatures just below the surface of the sea. I snorkelled every day for a week. Recently I’ve been reigniting my love of snorkelling, and so wherever I can go and swim with beautiful ocean creatures is now my new favourite destination.
When friends come to town, what attraction would you take them to, and why?
I live on Dharawal Country on the far southern side of Sydney. When friends come to visit I love taking them to swim in local water holes like Karloo Pools and Engadine Lagoon. Wattamolla is also a must see with a bushwalk in the Royal National Park. I would take them for a drive or cycle over the sea cliff bridge, down to the Wombarra Bowlo for some Thai and hopefully a great gig. I think these places are magical. A good lot of nature with a dash of laid back South Coast bowlo culture is a great day or weekend out.
What are you currently reading?
My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell. My dear friend Flora Carbo, a wonderful musician, recently moved to Copenhagen to study a Masters. A week after she left I received a book and beautiful note in the mail. This was the book – one she thought I would enjoy. She was not wrong – I love it. It is whimsical and deeply descriptive. Two things that I think our modern day culture sadly lacks.
What are you currently listening to?
The fridge whirring in the background. The silence of the evening when everyone else in Engadine is most likely asleep. If you meant in a broader sense – I’m listening to my mother’s advice a little more, I’m listening to birds every morning – the magpies are particularly active at the moment and hearing a black cockatoo from my balcony brings a special kind of joy. Some records that I’ve been spinning lately are The Hard Work of Staying Soft by Lemon Myrtle and Life Automatic by Hana Macklin. Both amazing Australian artists.
Happiness is?
Harvesting something from the garden to eat. Playing to an audience where you can see and learn every face, watching their deep connection to the music you are gifting with all of your soul. Rubbing the belly of a happy dog. Making adventure plans.
What does the future hold for you?
I honestly don’t know. I’m part of an industry that doesn’t seem to really be able to function in the bounds of a capitalist economy, and I’m trying to figure out how to reconcile the power of music and art with the power of money in our society.
I know that music will always be a part of my life, but continuing to strive for excellence in the current climate seems bordering on impossible. The pull to disappear off the internet and become a full time gardener is, at times, very strong.
Then sometimes I get on stage with my fellow musicians and create an experience that uplifts a whole big room of other humans searching for meaning, and it seems that the future is clear – that I must always keep doing this.
What I do know – I will be filling as much of my future with nature adventures as I can! And then most likely writing music about it.
Emily-Rose performs as part of Emily-Rose & The Wild with Parvyn & Ofri – which will be presented at Riverside Live at PHIVE, Parramatta, on Sunday 30 August 2026. For more information, visit: www.riversideparramatta.com.au for details.
Image: Emily-Rose (supplied)