September 27, 2020 • 23 mins
In this episode, we interview Emily Lynn, a UK Female vocalist and pianist, who has worked performed and recorded with the band Thunder, and has also shared the stage with the likes of Dame Cleo Laine, Scott Gorham from Thin Lizzy and Andy Taylor from Duran Duran. For the last ten years, she has been touring with The Australian Pink Floyd Show, performing in countless Arenas in London, Europe, America and Canada.
Special thanks to Emily Lynn for being our guest in this episode. If you'd like to find out more about Emily then please check out her social links below:
Emily runs a same day backing vocal service. For more information please click on the link below to visit her website:
Emily Lynn Same Day Backing Vocal Service
The Aussie Floyd Website : https://www.aussiefloyd.com/
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Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Mark (00:02):
Hi, I'm Mark. Welcome to Talk to the Band, the podcast
that is passionate aboutcontemporary music. Our guest
today is a UK female vocalistand pianist who has performed
and recorded with the bandThunder. She's also shared the
stage with the likes of DameCleo Laine, Scott Gorham from
Thin Lizzy and Andy Taylor fromDuran Duran. For the last 10
(00:24):
years she has been touring withthe Australian Pink Floyd show,
performing in countless arenasin London, Europe, America and
Canada. A warm welcome to EmilyLynn. Emily, thank you so much
for being on the show today.
Emily Lynn (00:42):
No worries, nice to be here. Thanks for having me.
Mark (00:46):
Can we start at the beginning? You first started in
music when you were just fourapparently, is that correct?
Emily Lynn (00:51):
Yeah, I did Suzuki Violin and my mum, my dad was a
classical musician. It was, Ithink it was like the the thing
in those days, it was like analternative way of learning
music and it's very parental,your parents kind of run how you
do it at home and it's aboutlistening and, and feeling and
stuff - it's a bit hippy, but itdefinitely trained my ear and I
(01:14):
started reading dots before Istarted reading words, but the
dots were like the bees, youknow, big pictures of bees and
stuff. But that was like areally good start, I think for
my, for training my ear.
Mark (01:27):
You then trained at the Guildhall School of Music when
you were 15?
Emily Lynn (01:30):
Yeah, so I did a, it's called the apprentice or
something course? It's like aSaturday morning course,but it
actually wasn't in music, it wasin drama. I kind of, ditching
the Violin and learning theTrumpet with my dad, I kind of
really got into musical theatreas a teenager and started
singing and wanted to do a bitof acting, and I just went for
(01:53):
the audition because my dad wentto Guildhall. That was why I
ended up there, just onSaturdays, and yeah, it was
acting but again, really wasn't,couldn't really find my feet. I
really wasn't that into it. Andso, around the same time I was
doing the musical, the theatretrain, and the National Youth
(02:13):
Music Theatre, which was kind ofmore my style because I was more
singing rather than straightacting at Guildhall. And yeah,
that was what I really loved,and then when I finished school,
I went to a drama school inLondon called Italian Conti and
did a diploma there in voice.
And then I just thought, youknow what I really don't like
this musical theatre malarkey,it's too Jazz hands, it's too, I
(02:34):
just can't, I can't do this. AndI didn't get on with a dancing,
and so, I just felt like myplace was being a musician and
being with the lads, you know,being with a section of singers,
and that was what led me to goto Leeds and study popular
(02:55):
music.
Mark (02:58):
At what point in your life did you realise that all you
want to do is music?
Emily Lynn (03:05):
It was just something that we always did.
You know, my both my parentsbeing musicians, it was just as
normal as getting up andbrushing your teeth in the
morning. You know, it's justsomething that you did. However,
when I started touring, my Mumand Dad kept a box, they called
it the Emily box, and it had allmy little report, school reports
(03:25):
and stuff in it, things I'ddrawn. And there was one report
that I had written when I was 16that we had to do before leaving
school, and it was what do youwant to do when you're older,
you know that classic line. AndI had written in there having no
idea what I was going to doreally, I'd written all I want
to do is sing and travel. And Iwas like, and we were just like,
wow, we can't I just can'tbelieve that is manifested in
(03:48):
this way, you know? I'm just solucky and amazed that I wanted
to, I probably didn't want to dothat when I was younger, but you
know, didn't think much of it.
Mark (03:57):
Have they managed to see you performing professionally?
Emily Lynn (04:01):
Yes, they've seen quite a lot of things that I've
been involved with over theyears. I used to go and see Dad
at the English National Operaand he used to be in the pit and
he used to sort of wave up atme. And I used to wave down at
him and it was like a reallyspecial moment. You know, this
is when I was really young.
Going to the opera I was youknow, I think my first opera, I
was in a Moses basket. And thenthe first, the most memorable
(04:22):
gig was at the HammersmithApollo, I think it was the first
year I joined Aussie Floyd. And,it was an amazing you know,
we've played lots of differentamazing venues but, Hammersmith
Apollo, my Mum and Dad werethere, it was their first ever
rock concert. They've never beento see like a Pink Floyd show or
anything like that. Barelylistened to any, you know, pop
(04:43):
or rock music, and there I wasat the end of the show, waving
up at him and he was waving downat me. And it was just that
exchange, and it was just like,oh look tears in our eyes and
everything it was it was justso, such a proud moment for the
whole family really.
Mark (04:59):
And kind of gone full circle as well, hasn't it?
Emily Lynn (05:02):
Yeah, definitely, the whole full circle. So it's
just, it's worked out perfectly(laugh).
Mark (05:08):
So let's talk about some of your inspirations, who did
you grew up listening to? Whatmusicians or singers kind of,
inspired you and did you findyourself gravitating towards?
Emily Lynn (05:19):
I think, I grew up... my dad was in the choir
from he's been a Chorister sincehe was seven and my mom's been a
lay reader for 20 years. So Idid grow up with a lot of
church, kind of choral music,and I think that's why I love
acapella music so much andChoral stuff and quite lots of
plane singing, plane song. Thatkind of music really speaks to
(05:43):
me in not like a religious way,but like a spiritual way, and
it's just very calming, verynostalgic, very beautiful. Like
there's a song called "LullabyGood night, my angel" by Billy
Joel, but the King Singers do alive arrangement, the King
Singers are a little six part,six piece acapella group. And
(06:04):
it's just there's somethingabout them voices that are just,
it's just so nostalgic, I couldlisten to that all day long. If
I was on a desert island, thatwould be the song that I would
listen to over and over again.
But people who know me would notthink that I would choose that
song because of the kinds ofwork that I do and I don't do
anything like the King Singers.
But the King Singers, and theSwingle Singers have been very
(06:27):
influential to me, I just thinkit's just such beautiful
singing.
Mark (06:32):
So as you think it's growing up in that environment
and listening to music, that'smaybe giving you that mindset of
loving the layered vocals andbeing part of the overall
sounds.
Emily Lynn (06:41):
Yeah, definitely.
And that's the reason why I'mdoing what I do now, and provide
this 24 hour BV service. Checkit out! Emilylynnvocals.com.
(laugh)I'll make sure we do a link
don't you worry. (laugh)
Mark (06:53):
So you leave your education, and you start, well
you start your career singing inCelebrity Christmas cards.
Emily Lynn (07:01):
Yeah, I think that might be one of the first ever
professional jobs I had, maybeor second and it was, I got it
through the college with twoother girls, and I think it was
Hallmark. They were sendingCelebrities, like radio show
hosts and stuff, little, these,singing cards, so we had to sing
(07:24):
into these cards, and they wouldget posted off. Yeah. (laugh)
Mark (07:30):
Can we talk about Dame Cleo Laine, and Thunder?
Emily Lynn (07:33):
Yeah, so erm, that acapella thing has been huge for
me and I used to like a groupthat aren't together
unfortunately anymore calledVibe. And, the singer, one of
the singers - Emily Dankworth,her grandma is Dame Cleo Laine.
So, just by chance, they neededsomeone to dep in their acapella
(07:53):
group and obviously that waskind of my thing, and we
actually went to the Stables, werehearsed in Dame Cleo Laine's
living room, and we did this gigand the Dankworth family were
there, Dame Cleo Laine was thereand it was just, it was
incredible. So that's a reallycool band, but Thunder, as well
are just a huge part of my life,my life and my musical journey.
(08:18):
Because, Ben from Thunder is oneof the guitarist and keyboard
players. He hosted my auditionfor Aussie Floyd and he was the
one really, who said get thisgirl in, and really put the
faith in me to start my touringcareer. And then since then,
I've also recorded on a coupleof Thunder albums that reached,
(08:41):
I think one reached number twoin the UK album charts below the
"Greatest Showmen", and theother one was like number seven
or something. And, we touredthat album, and we got to record
it at the Rockfield studios,which is obviously where Queen
were recording and BohemianRhapsody was written and
recorded. So it's just a huge,amazing time with them, and they
(09:06):
do a Christmas show every yearand so we sing backing vocals
for them. I love arranging allthe songs, all the BVs for them
and stuff, they leave it to me,just get on with it Emily, you
deal with it.
Mark (09:19):
Okay, so you mentioned Ozzy Floyd...
Emily Lynn (09:22):
Hmm.
Mark (09:23):
How did that audition actually come about?
Emily Lynn (09:27):
I just can't believe it to be honest, I know COVID
has happened and I haven'ttoured for a while but, it's
been 10 years with that band,and it's just it's a huge part
of my life. I started when I wasin my sort of mid 20s and now
I'm in my mid 30s, they reallyhave seen us grow into like a
woman you know. And so it cameabout because I freaked out
(09:49):
after my Master's degree, I waslike, what am I going to do? I
don't know what to do and how doI start being a singer? So I
went onto Star Now and startedapplying for pretty much
everything I could get, it wasit was free in those days. And,
a woman came about that had donebacking vocals for a really high
(10:11):
end, I won't name, mention anynames, but a really high end
celeb, and she was doing her ownstuff. So I went down to
audition for her own stuff andit was a waste of time. It was a
load of just rubbish, and theyalready knew who they were going
to take because there's threegirls there all ready and
(10:31):
rehearsed together, it was justa waste time. But it was those
girls that I met at thataudition that said "Well, we
can't make this other audition.
Do you want to come along?" AndI was like, Yeah, of course and
I lived in Leeds at the time andthe audition was in South
London. It was like the worstsnow that Kent had seen in
years. I was travelling down ona MegaBus, which cost a quid,
and I was about three hours latefor this audition, I was
(10:51):
drenched in sweat and snow andit was just terrible, I had my
wellies on. And it was a reallygood audition. It was a really,
it felt like a really goodaudition I did a, I didn't
really know who I wasauditioning for either. I didn't
really know any Pink Floydsongs. When they said, "Can you
sing Great Gig in the Sky"? Isaid, well, "What's great gig in
the sky?, I don't know. And theywere like, what's Great Gig in
(11:12):
the Sky? And I was like, Ishould have really done my
research there, I must havereally offended somebody, but
they actually just laughed itoff, and then they asked me back
for a second audition. And then,the first tour was a few weeks
later, and we covered about, 56different places amongst 10
European countries in the spaceof four months. Bare in mind I'd
(11:33):
just left college really, andI've never even been on a tour
bus. I've never, I've never usedIn-ears before. You know, it was
just massive, and now, I'venever taken it for granted
because it's just been the mostincredible experience, If I
didn't ever tour again, nowbecause of Covid, I would feel
(11:55):
very satisfied that I've donethat, I've been with them, and
it's just the guys in the bandare just so lovely and it's a
huge amazing family network andall the crew are just are just
lovely and just we're justreally lucky.
Mark (12:09):
I know in the industry they've got an amazing
reputation. I mean, they are theonly, I hate using the word
tribute act, but, tribute act toFloyd that Floyd actually
endorse?
Emily Lynn (12:20):
Yeah, well I remember when I first joined,
and The Times were there doingan article and they said they're
the biggest touring tribute showin the world. And I think they
were at the time. I'm not sureabout now, I think they're still
pretty pretty up there.They tourall the same venues as all the
major artists, all the samearenas, same venues and,
(12:42):
probably maybe not the sameamount of people but, they've
got such a huge, they've gotsuch a huge following, they've
been going for 30 years, thirtyyears or something. So they have
really built this from, youknow, packing their own van and
driving across Australia to, amassive arena show, it's just
incredible the story.
Mark (13:04):
What was that very first show light with them, walking
out on to the stage?
Emily Lynn (13:08):
I can't remember what it was. Oh, I do remember
it was because it was the, itwas, the first show was kind of
just for the press and it was atLH2 in London, the rehearsal
studios. And, I **** myself, Idid. I just, I can nail vocals,
they're not difficult backingvocal parts. The dance moves
(13:31):
weren't hard, but it was just,getting used to the in-ears and
making sure it was just, I mean,this is a really high end show,
I've got to be absolutelyspotless at all times, and I
just remember feeling thatpressure, and Delara the other
singer was like, so how doesthis go again? (laugh)
I was like, I don't know, Idon't know.
Mark (13:55):
Let's talk about keys for a minute because, you kind of
took the leap not that long agoto start playing piano in bars,
but also obviously singing andplaying at the same time, which,
we both know is not the easiestof things to do.
Emily Lynn (14:09):
(laugh) I don't know how it happened. I think, I
broke up with a boyfriend whowas a keyboard player. So that,
I immediately thought well howam I going to do this because we
should have a Duo together, andthat actually led me to just
really start practising thepiano seriously. And, thankfully
Aussie Floyd gave me the time todo that because I'm not due for
(14:30):
a soundcheck until four, I'vegot all day to do whatever we
want. So, I just used to, Icarry my keyboard around, set up
in the dressing room and I'lljust sit there all day and
practice and I startedpractising the Hanon technique,
which is like some little scalesand suddenly my fingers just
started working. And then I didit solidly for a whole tour, so
I could do some walkingbaselines with my left hand. And
(14:53):
then I sort of, even though Iknew about Harmony, it kind of
opened up different things forme, seeing it in chords with my
hands. So I learned about how todo you know, Bassless voicings
in my right hand so I wasn'tplaying the same note, you know,
all of those sorts of thingsI've never even thought about
(15:14):
before. And now it's actuallymade me a better arranger, vocal
arranger anyway, because ofhaving the skills on the Piano.
And that's the advice I wouldgive to anybody is, is learn a
second instrument, early doors,it's never too late because I
learned started learning sixyears ago. Seriously, and now
I'm actually a professionalpiano player that goes around
(15:36):
and sings, and I've played inMonaco Casino, and like all
these cool venues and, you know,the Ritz, and it's just, I've
been really lucky, but I haveworked so hard on piano, I
really have
Mark (15:52):
it's time for The Final Five. If you were to recommend
one album or song, old or new,that everybody should listen to
at least once in their lifetime.
What would it be?
Emily Lynn (16:07):
It would be "Good Night My Angel" by Billy Joel,
but not Billy Joel's version.
It's the king Singers liveversion. It's just beautiful.
It's spiritual, and I very muchplane singing, plane song and
angelic. I just absolutely loveit!
Mark (16:27):
Question two. What artists and albums are you currently
listening to?
Emily Lynn (16:31):
Ooh, I'm listening to Lianne La Havas, her album
"Lianne La Havas", hich wasreleased quite recently. She's
an amazing musician, andsongwriter. When I first heard
her, I was thinking, Blimey,she's got a wide vibrato, but
over the years it's kind oflike, levelled out, and she's
just incredible. There's anamazing video of her on YouTube,
(16:53):
doing one of her songs with thePhilharmonic Orchestra.I think
it's on YouTube, and it's withthe conductor Jules Buckley, who
is amazing, who does a lot ofwork with the Metropole Orkest
that does the North North SeaJazz Festival. She is just
amazing. And then also, JacobCollier, because I feel like, I
(17:15):
mean, obviously he is a genius.
Everyone knows he's amazing, butI do feel like he's just seems
like he's such a lovely guy, andhe wants everyone to learn about
what he knows. And, I feel like,in the same way that dare I say
it? Jamie Cullum tried to sortof bridge the gap between Jazz
and making it more commercialand everyone kind of hated him
for it. I feel like Jacob's alsodoing that, and trying to make
(17:36):
what he does and what he knows,commercial and so that everyone
can also understand it, and Ireally like that about him.
Mark (17:46):
Also, I mean, all the videos and the recordings are so
fun.
Emily Lynn (17:49):
Yeah, they are, they are, he reminds me of like an
English Kermit the Frog. Doesn'the? I just, he does, the way he
speaks (17:58):
"Oh, everyone. Welcome to my channel". (laugh)
Mark (18:01):
(Laughing) Right, that leads us on to our next
question...Name a musician orartist who has had a profound
effect on you, and why?
Emily Lynn (18:12):
I've been asked this question before actually, and
there's no-one famous at all?
Nobody famous, it's alwayspeople that influenced me and
wow me the most are the peoplethat I've worked with over the
years. So for example, I've usedLizzie Dean before who's just a
working session singer inLondon, but she marked my final
gig thing at Leeds College ofMusic. And then she asked me to
(18:34):
dep for her and then I end upwith her in a Vintage band that
I sing with, and just herprofessionalism, her vocals, how
beautiful she is, inside andout. She just wants you to do
well and really supports you,and I just think there's,
there's a lack of people in theindustry that really support
(18:54):
young people or, want you know,because we're all each other's
competition, and she's onethat's really just, just wowed
me with her professionalism, andher vocals and everything -
she's just amazing. I don't knowwho else there is? Probably
Danny from Thunder again, thelead singer with his amazing
vocals, his, I'm just. in themorning we'll get up and we have
(19:18):
a rehearsal, and he just, getsthe mic, and just belts it out.
And I'm like, how do you dothat? You're amazing" Oh but
yeah. probably those two.
Mark (19:30):
Next question. If it was possible for you to speak to
your younger self, when you werefirst setting out, what advice
would you give to yourself,then?
Emily Lynn (19:38):
So much, SO MUCH! I actually wrote a list of these
down as well. And one of them,was don't listen to what people
say about you, it's not areflection of your abilities,
it's a reflection of theirinsecurities. And I think, that
is so important for youngpeople, it's so difficult in
this industry, and, you get putdown a lot and made you feel
(20:01):
like you're not good enough, butyou are enough. You know, there
are people out there that willthink that you are amazing, and
it has happened over the years,you know, and everyone gets
knocks. But, that's definitelyone of them, and to keep going,
keep going, never ever stop.
Never, never get the hump andjust say "oh sack it off!",
because something will happen,if you put the effort in,
(20:23):
something will happen foreveryone. Learn a second
instrument, early doors,definitely, especially if you're
a female. Definitely, because afemale instrumentalists are hard
to come by. So if you if youlook good, you can sing well,
and you can play a little bit ofsomething else, that's, that
will get you work for sure.
Don't leave London, I wrote thatone down. Don't go to Leeds. I
(20:47):
did love it there, it wasamazing! Sorry I don't want to
say anything bad abut Leedsbecause it was amazing, but I
just feel like London is whereit's at. And I feel like I
should have stayed. Say yes toeverything, even if you're not
ready for it, and learn it onthe job. I stupidly said yes to
play at The Piano Works, whichis the request bar, having not
(21:08):
really, I think I've only playedpiano for about a year and I was
like, yeah, I'll do it. I satdown, and I just couldn't do it,
it was just so hard, like havingrequests and just having to know
them and play them, and lead aband. But I did it, and I'm glad
I did it, and it was a learningcurve. I'm not sure I'll go back
and do it again. (laugh) But,I'm glad I did it, even though I
(21:29):
failed miserably. Yes and, it'snever too late to start now as
well. It's never too late. Imean, I think women often feel
like oh, you know, you know, I'mgoing to be reaching 40 soon,
you know, and, I want to settledown. You know, it's never too
late to just sort of just changeyour, your road a little bit. If
you don't want to tour anymore,go and do session work or
(21:51):
teaching or something, but ifyou love music, yeah,
definitely, start now. Whateveryou do, whatever you want to do.
Mark (21:57):
(Laugh) Okay, and now the last one. Of all the times over
the years that you've performed.
Is there a one gig or show thatis the most memorable for you?
Emily Lynn (22:09):
Yeah, it's, it's the gig at Hammersmith Apollo. When,
you know, I used to go and seemy Dad play the orchestra and I
used to wave down at him andhe's the wave up at me. And
then, you know, in my career,and my first or their first ever
rock gig they'd ever been to,they came to see me at
Hammersmith, Apollo. And when wewere waving goodbye at the end
(22:31):
of the show, I was waving up athim and he was waving down at
me, and it was just thatexchange. Was just incredible, I
mean, the gig was greatobviously, because we're playing
Hammersmith Apollo for the firsttime, but it was made extra
special because he, well theywere there. It just was a real
proud moment, crying andeverything. (laugh)
Mark (22:51):
Well I'm afraid that's all we have time for today. Emily,
thank you so much for being onthe show today, it's been an
absolute pleasure. And ofcourse, a big thank you to you,
our listeners. Our guest nextweek is a UK drummer, who was
depping in West End shows whenhe was only 12. He was touring
Europe with Alan Price of TheAnimals when he was just 18, and
he has performed on poprecordings with the likes of
John Farnham, Five Star, and BoyMeets Girl, before he joined
Chris Barber's Jazz and BluesBand. But he's best known for
(23:12):
his hard hitting, high energyrock drumming, and he's been the
drummer with the legendaryBritish rock band Uriah Heep
since 2007. If you'd like tofind out more, you're gonna have
to join us then. Take care
Hi, I'm Mark. Welcome to Talk to the Band, the podcast
that is passionate aboutcontemporary music. Our guest
today is a UK female vocalistand pianist who has performed
and recorded with the bandThunder. She's also shared the
stage with the likes of DameCleo Laine, Scott Gorham from
Thin Lizzy and Andy Taylor fromDuran Duran. For the last 10
(00:24):
years she has been touring withthe Australian Pink Floyd show,
performing in countless arenasin London, Europe, America and
Canada. A warm welcome to EmilyLynn. Emily, thank you so much
for being on the show today.
Emily Lynn (00:42):
No worries, nice to be here. Thanks for having me.
Mark (00:46):
Can we start at the beginning? You first started in
music when you were just fourapparently, is that correct?
Emily Lynn (00:51):
Yeah, I did Suzuki Violin and my mum, my dad was a
classical musician. It was, Ithink it was like the the thing
in those days, it was like analternative way of learning
music and it's very parental,your parents kind of run how you
do it at home and it's aboutlistening and, and feeling and
stuff - it's a bit hippy, but itdefinitely trained my ear and I
(01:14):
started reading dots before Istarted reading words, but the
dots were like the bees, youknow, big pictures of bees and
stuff. But that was like areally good start, I think for
my, for training my ear.
Mark (01:27):
You then trained at the Guildhall School of Music when
you were 15?
Emily Lynn (01:30):
Yeah, so I did a, it's called the apprentice or
something course? It's like aSaturday morning course,but it
actually wasn't in music, it wasin drama. I kind of, ditching
the Violin and learning theTrumpet with my dad, I kind of
really got into musical theatreas a teenager and started
singing and wanted to do a bitof acting, and I just went for
(01:53):
the audition because my dad wentto Guildhall. That was why I
ended up there, just onSaturdays, and yeah, it was
acting but again, really wasn't,couldn't really find my feet. I
really wasn't that into it. Andso, around the same time I was
doing the musical, the theatretrain, and the National Youth
(02:13):
Music Theatre, which was kind ofmore my style because I was more
singing rather than straightacting at Guildhall. And yeah,
that was what I really loved,and then when I finished school,
I went to a drama school inLondon called Italian Conti and
did a diploma there in voice.
And then I just thought, youknow what I really don't like
this musical theatre malarkey,it's too Jazz hands, it's too, I
(02:34):
just can't, I can't do this. AndI didn't get on with a dancing,
and so, I just felt like myplace was being a musician and
being with the lads, you know,being with a section of singers,
and that was what led me to goto Leeds and study popular
(02:55):
music.
Mark (02:58):
At what point in your life did you realise that all you
want to do is music?
Emily Lynn (03:05):
It was just something that we always did.
You know, my both my parentsbeing musicians, it was just as
normal as getting up andbrushing your teeth in the
morning. You know, it's justsomething that you did. However,
when I started touring, my Mumand Dad kept a box, they called
it the Emily box, and it had allmy little report, school reports
(03:25):
and stuff in it, things I'ddrawn. And there was one report
that I had written when I was 16that we had to do before leaving
school, and it was what do youwant to do when you're older,
you know that classic line. AndI had written in there having no
idea what I was going to doreally, I'd written all I want
to do is sing and travel. And Iwas like, and we were just like,
wow, we can't I just can'tbelieve that is manifested in
(03:48):
this way, you know? I'm just solucky and amazed that I wanted
to, I probably didn't want to dothat when I was younger, but you
know, didn't think much of it.
Mark (03:57):
Have they managed to see you performing professionally?
Emily Lynn (04:01):
Yes, they've seen quite a lot of things that I've
been involved with over theyears. I used to go and see Dad
at the English National Operaand he used to be in the pit and
he used to sort of wave up atme. And I used to wave down at
him and it was like a reallyspecial moment. You know, this
is when I was really young.
Going to the opera I was youknow, I think my first opera, I
was in a Moses basket. And thenthe first, the most memorable
(04:22):
gig was at the HammersmithApollo, I think it was the first
year I joined Aussie Floyd. And,it was an amazing you know,
we've played lots of differentamazing venues but, Hammersmith
Apollo, my Mum and Dad werethere, it was their first ever
rock concert. They've never beento see like a Pink Floyd show or
anything like that. Barelylistened to any, you know, pop
(04:43):
or rock music, and there I wasat the end of the show, waving
up at him and he was waving downat me. And it was just that
exchange, and it was just like,oh look tears in our eyes and
everything it was it was justso, such a proud moment for the
whole family really.
Mark (04:59):
And kind of gone full circle as well, hasn't it?
Emily Lynn (05:02):
Yeah, definitely, the whole full circle. So it's
just, it's worked out perfectly(laugh).
Mark (05:08):
So let's talk about some of your inspirations, who did
you grew up listening to? Whatmusicians or singers kind of,
inspired you and did you findyourself gravitating towards?
Emily Lynn (05:19):
I think, I grew up... my dad was in the choir
from he's been a Chorister sincehe was seven and my mom's been a
lay reader for 20 years. So Idid grow up with a lot of
church, kind of choral music,and I think that's why I love
acapella music so much andChoral stuff and quite lots of
plane singing, plane song. Thatkind of music really speaks to
(05:43):
me in not like a religious way,but like a spiritual way, and
it's just very calming, verynostalgic, very beautiful. Like
there's a song called "LullabyGood night, my angel" by Billy
Joel, but the King Singers do alive arrangement, the King
Singers are a little six part,six piece acapella group. And
(06:04):
it's just there's somethingabout them voices that are just,
it's just so nostalgic, I couldlisten to that all day long. If
I was on a desert island, thatwould be the song that I would
listen to over and over again.
But people who know me would notthink that I would choose that
song because of the kinds ofwork that I do and I don't do
anything like the King Singers.
But the King Singers, and theSwingle Singers have been very
(06:27):
influential to me, I just thinkit's just such beautiful
singing.
Mark (06:32):
So as you think it's growing up in that environment
and listening to music, that'smaybe giving you that mindset of
loving the layered vocals andbeing part of the overall
sounds.
Emily Lynn (06:41):
Yeah, definitely.
And that's the reason why I'mdoing what I do now, and provide
this 24 hour BV service. Checkit out! Emilylynnvocals.com.
(laugh)I'll make sure we do a link
don't you worry. (laugh)
Mark (06:53):
So you leave your education, and you start, well
you start your career singing inCelebrity Christmas cards.
Emily Lynn (07:01):
Yeah, I think that might be one of the first ever
professional jobs I had, maybeor second and it was, I got it
through the college with twoother girls, and I think it was
Hallmark. They were sendingCelebrities, like radio show
hosts and stuff, little, these,singing cards, so we had to sing
(07:24):
into these cards, and they wouldget posted off. Yeah. (laugh)
Mark (07:30):
Can we talk about Dame Cleo Laine, and Thunder?
Emily Lynn (07:33):
Yeah, so erm, that acapella thing has been huge for
me and I used to like a groupthat aren't together
unfortunately anymore calledVibe. And, the singer, one of
the singers - Emily Dankworth,her grandma is Dame Cleo Laine.
So, just by chance, they neededsomeone to dep in their acapella
(07:53):
group and obviously that waskind of my thing, and we
actually went to the Stables, werehearsed in Dame Cleo Laine's
living room, and we did this gigand the Dankworth family were
there, Dame Cleo Laine was thereand it was just, it was
incredible. So that's a reallycool band, but Thunder, as well
are just a huge part of my life,my life and my musical journey.
(08:18):
Because, Ben from Thunder is oneof the guitarist and keyboard
players. He hosted my auditionfor Aussie Floyd and he was the
one really, who said get thisgirl in, and really put the
faith in me to start my touringcareer. And then since then,
I've also recorded on a coupleof Thunder albums that reached,
(08:41):
I think one reached number twoin the UK album charts below the
"Greatest Showmen", and theother one was like number seven
or something. And, we touredthat album, and we got to record
it at the Rockfield studios,which is obviously where Queen
were recording and BohemianRhapsody was written and
recorded. So it's just a huge,amazing time with them, and they
(09:06):
do a Christmas show every yearand so we sing backing vocals
for them. I love arranging allthe songs, all the BVs for them
and stuff, they leave it to me,just get on with it Emily, you
deal with it.
Mark (09:19):
Okay, so you mentioned Ozzy Floyd...
Emily Lynn (09:22):
Hmm.
Mark (09:23):
How did that audition actually come about?
Emily Lynn (09:27):
I just can't believe it to be honest, I know COVID
has happened and I haven'ttoured for a while but, it's
been 10 years with that band,and it's just it's a huge part
of my life. I started when I wasin my sort of mid 20s and now
I'm in my mid 30s, they reallyhave seen us grow into like a
woman you know. And so it cameabout because I freaked out
(09:49):
after my Master's degree, I waslike, what am I going to do? I
don't know what to do and how doI start being a singer? So I
went onto Star Now and startedapplying for pretty much
everything I could get, it wasit was free in those days. And,
a woman came about that had donebacking vocals for a really high
(10:11):
end, I won't name, mention anynames, but a really high end
celeb, and she was doing her ownstuff. So I went down to
audition for her own stuff andit was a waste of time. It was a
load of just rubbish, and theyalready knew who they were going
to take because there's threegirls there all ready and
(10:31):
rehearsed together, it was justa waste time. But it was those
girls that I met at thataudition that said "Well, we
can't make this other audition.
Do you want to come along?" AndI was like, Yeah, of course and
I lived in Leeds at the time andthe audition was in South
London. It was like the worstsnow that Kent had seen in
years. I was travelling down ona MegaBus, which cost a quid,
and I was about three hours latefor this audition, I was
(10:51):
drenched in sweat and snow andit was just terrible, I had my
wellies on. And it was a reallygood audition. It was a really,
it felt like a really goodaudition I did a, I didn't
really know who I wasauditioning for either. I didn't
really know any Pink Floydsongs. When they said, "Can you
sing Great Gig in the Sky"? Isaid, well, "What's great gig in
the sky?, I don't know. And theywere like, what's Great Gig in
(11:12):
the Sky? And I was like, Ishould have really done my
research there, I must havereally offended somebody, but
they actually just laughed itoff, and then they asked me back
for a second audition. And then,the first tour was a few weeks
later, and we covered about, 56different places amongst 10
European countries in the spaceof four months. Bare in mind I'd
(11:33):
just left college really, andI've never even been on a tour
bus. I've never, I've never usedIn-ears before. You know, it was
just massive, and now, I'venever taken it for granted
because it's just been the mostincredible experience, If I
didn't ever tour again, nowbecause of Covid, I would feel
(11:55):
very satisfied that I've donethat, I've been with them, and
it's just the guys in the bandare just so lovely and it's a
huge amazing family network andall the crew are just are just
lovely and just we're justreally lucky.
Mark (12:09):
I know in the industry they've got an amazing
reputation. I mean, they are theonly, I hate using the word
tribute act, but, tribute act toFloyd that Floyd actually
endorse?
Emily Lynn (12:20):
Yeah, well I remember when I first joined,
and The Times were there doingan article and they said they're
the biggest touring tribute showin the world. And I think they
were at the time. I'm not sureabout now, I think they're still
pretty pretty up there.They tourall the same venues as all the
major artists, all the samearenas, same venues and,
(12:42):
probably maybe not the sameamount of people but, they've
got such a huge, they've gotsuch a huge following, they've
been going for 30 years, thirtyyears or something. So they have
really built this from, youknow, packing their own van and
driving across Australia to, amassive arena show, it's just
incredible the story.
Mark (13:04):
What was that very first show light with them, walking
out on to the stage?
Emily Lynn (13:08):
I can't remember what it was. Oh, I do remember
it was because it was the, itwas, the first show was kind of
just for the press and it was atLH2 in London, the rehearsal
studios. And, I **** myself, Idid. I just, I can nail vocals,
they're not difficult backingvocal parts. The dance moves
(13:31):
weren't hard, but it was just,getting used to the in-ears and
making sure it was just, I mean,this is a really high end show,
I've got to be absolutelyspotless at all times, and I
just remember feeling thatpressure, and Delara the other
singer was like, so how doesthis go again? (laugh)
I was like, I don't know, Idon't know.
Mark (13:55):
Let's talk about keys for a minute because, you kind of
took the leap not that long agoto start playing piano in bars,
but also obviously singing andplaying at the same time, which,
we both know is not the easiestof things to do.
Emily Lynn (14:09):
(laugh) I don't know how it happened. I think, I
broke up with a boyfriend whowas a keyboard player. So that,
I immediately thought well howam I going to do this because we
should have a Duo together, andthat actually led me to just
really start practising thepiano seriously. And, thankfully
Aussie Floyd gave me the time todo that because I'm not due for
(14:30):
a soundcheck until four, I'vegot all day to do whatever we
want. So, I just used to, Icarry my keyboard around, set up
in the dressing room and I'lljust sit there all day and
practice and I startedpractising the Hanon technique,
which is like some little scalesand suddenly my fingers just
started working. And then I didit solidly for a whole tour, so
I could do some walkingbaselines with my left hand. And
(14:53):
then I sort of, even though Iknew about Harmony, it kind of
opened up different things forme, seeing it in chords with my
hands. So I learned about how todo you know, Bassless voicings
in my right hand so I wasn'tplaying the same note, you know,
all of those sorts of thingsI've never even thought about
(15:14):
before. And now it's actuallymade me a better arranger, vocal
arranger anyway, because ofhaving the skills on the Piano.
And that's the advice I wouldgive to anybody is, is learn a
second instrument, early doors,it's never too late because I
learned started learning sixyears ago. Seriously, and now
I'm actually a professionalpiano player that goes around
(15:36):
and sings, and I've played inMonaco Casino, and like all
these cool venues and, you know,the Ritz, and it's just, I've
been really lucky, but I haveworked so hard on piano, I
really have
Mark (15:52):
it's time for The Final Five. If you were to recommend
one album or song, old or new,that everybody should listen to
at least once in their lifetime.
What would it be?
Emily Lynn (16:07):
It would be "Good Night My Angel" by Billy Joel,
but not Billy Joel's version.
It's the king Singers liveversion. It's just beautiful.
It's spiritual, and I very muchplane singing, plane song and
angelic. I just absolutely loveit!
Mark (16:27):
Question two. What artists and albums are you currently
listening to?
Emily Lynn (16:31):
Ooh, I'm listening to Lianne La Havas, her album
"Lianne La Havas", hich wasreleased quite recently. She's
an amazing musician, andsongwriter. When I first heard
her, I was thinking, Blimey,she's got a wide vibrato, but
over the years it's kind oflike, levelled out, and she's
just incredible. There's anamazing video of her on YouTube,
(16:53):
doing one of her songs with thePhilharmonic Orchestra.I think
it's on YouTube, and it's withthe conductor Jules Buckley, who
is amazing, who does a lot ofwork with the Metropole Orkest
that does the North North SeaJazz Festival. She is just
amazing. And then also, JacobCollier, because I feel like, I
(17:15):
mean, obviously he is a genius.
Everyone knows he's amazing, butI do feel like he's just seems
like he's such a lovely guy, andhe wants everyone to learn about
what he knows. And, I feel like,in the same way that dare I say
it? Jamie Cullum tried to sortof bridge the gap between Jazz
and making it more commercialand everyone kind of hated him
for it. I feel like Jacob's alsodoing that, and trying to make
(17:36):
what he does and what he knows,commercial and so that everyone
can also understand it, and Ireally like that about him.
Mark (17:46):
Also, I mean, all the videos and the recordings are so
fun.
Emily Lynn (17:49):
Yeah, they are, they are, he reminds me of like an
English Kermit the Frog. Doesn'the? I just, he does, the way he
speaks (17:58):
"Oh, everyone. Welcome to my channel". (laugh)
Mark (18:01):
(Laughing) Right, that leads us on to our next
question...Name a musician orartist who has had a profound
effect on you, and why?
Emily Lynn (18:12):
I've been asked this question before actually, and
there's no-one famous at all?
Nobody famous, it's alwayspeople that influenced me and
wow me the most are the peoplethat I've worked with over the
years. So for example, I've usedLizzie Dean before who's just a
working session singer inLondon, but she marked my final
gig thing at Leeds College ofMusic. And then she asked me to
(18:34):
dep for her and then I end upwith her in a Vintage band that
I sing with, and just herprofessionalism, her vocals, how
beautiful she is, inside andout. She just wants you to do
well and really supports you,and I just think there's,
there's a lack of people in theindustry that really support
(18:54):
young people or, want you know,because we're all each other's
competition, and she's onethat's really just, just wowed
me with her professionalism, andher vocals and everything -
she's just amazing. I don't knowwho else there is? Probably
Danny from Thunder again, thelead singer with his amazing
vocals, his, I'm just. in themorning we'll get up and we have
(19:18):
a rehearsal, and he just, getsthe mic, and just belts it out.
And I'm like, how do you dothat? You're amazing" Oh but
yeah. probably those two.
Mark (19:30):
Next question. If it was possible for you to speak to
your younger self, when you werefirst setting out, what advice
would you give to yourself,then?
Emily Lynn (19:38):
So much, SO MUCH! I actually wrote a list of these
down as well. And one of them,was don't listen to what people
say about you, it's not areflection of your abilities,
it's a reflection of theirinsecurities. And I think, that
is so important for youngpeople, it's so difficult in
this industry, and, you get putdown a lot and made you feel
(20:01):
like you're not good enough, butyou are enough. You know, there
are people out there that willthink that you are amazing, and
it has happened over the years,you know, and everyone gets
knocks. But, that's definitelyone of them, and to keep going,
keep going, never ever stop.
Never, never get the hump andjust say "oh sack it off!",
because something will happen,if you put the effort in,
(20:23):
something will happen foreveryone. Learn a second
instrument, early doors,definitely, especially if you're
a female. Definitely, because afemale instrumentalists are hard
to come by. So if you if youlook good, you can sing well,
and you can play a little bit ofsomething else, that's, that
will get you work for sure.
Don't leave London, I wrote thatone down. Don't go to Leeds. I
(20:47):
did love it there, it wasamazing! Sorry I don't want to
say anything bad abut Leedsbecause it was amazing, but I
just feel like London is whereit's at. And I feel like I
should have stayed. Say yes toeverything, even if you're not
ready for it, and learn it onthe job. I stupidly said yes to
play at The Piano Works, whichis the request bar, having not
(21:08):
really, I think I've only playedpiano for about a year and I was
like, yeah, I'll do it. I satdown, and I just couldn't do it,
it was just so hard, like havingrequests and just having to know
them and play them, and lead aband. But I did it, and I'm glad
I did it, and it was a learningcurve. I'm not sure I'll go back
and do it again. (laugh) But,I'm glad I did it, even though I
(21:29):
failed miserably. Yes and, it'snever too late to start now as
well. It's never too late. Imean, I think women often feel
like oh, you know, you know, I'mgoing to be reaching 40 soon,
you know, and, I want to settledown. You know, it's never too
late to just sort of just changeyour, your road a little bit. If
you don't want to tour anymore,go and do session work or
(21:51):
teaching or something, but ifyou love music, yeah,
definitely, start now. Whateveryou do, whatever you want to do.
Mark (21:57):
(Laugh) Okay, and now the last one. Of all the times over
the years that you've performed.
Is there a one gig or show thatis the most memorable for you?
Emily Lynn (22:09):
Yeah, it's, it's the gig at Hammersmith Apollo. When,
you know, I used to go and seemy Dad play the orchestra and I
used to wave down at him andhe's the wave up at me. And
then, you know, in my career,and my first or their first ever
rock gig they'd ever been to,they came to see me at
Hammersmith, Apollo. And when wewere waving goodbye at the end
(22:31):
of the show, I was waving up athim and he was waving down at
me, and it was just thatexchange. Was just incredible, I
mean, the gig was greatobviously, because we're playing
Hammersmith Apollo for the firsttime, but it was made extra
special because he, well theywere there. It just was a real
proud moment, crying andeverything. (laugh)
Mark (22:51):
Well I'm afraid that's all we have time for today. Emily,
thank you so much for being onthe show today, it's been an
absolute pleasure. And ofcourse, a big thank you to you,
our listeners. Our guest nextweek is a UK drummer, who was
depping in West End shows whenhe was only 12. He was touring
Europe with Alan Price of TheAnimals when he was just 18, and
he has performed on poprecordings with the likes of
John Farnham, Five Star, and BoyMeets Girl, before he joined
Chris Barber's Jazz and BluesBand. But he's best known for
(23:12):
his hard hitting, high energyrock drumming, and he's been the
drummer with the legendaryBritish rock band Uriah Heep
since 2007. If you'd like tofind out more, you're gonna have
to join us then. Take care
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