Uncommon Ground ^ Emily White

Emily White
Born and brought up in Memphis, Tennessee on a healthy diet of Keith Sykes' Songwriters' Nights, Emily White learned the appeal of acoustic music early. She seems to have a love of the genre embedded in her DNA somewhere, and while growing up she took as much of an interest studying the singer-songwriters and blues musicians playing in the parks on Beale Street as she did listening to New Kids on the Block and MC Hammer. It was on that legendary street that Emily learned the intimacy and personal connection between artist and listener that acoustic music can create. It wasn't long before Emily knew she wanted to create the same connections by writing original music.

Picking up the guitar at age 12 and immediately immersing herself in learning jazz and folk classics from artists like Neil Young, the Indigo Girls, Eric Clapton, and Pat Matheny, Emily also began writing original songs. It was at this time that she got her first taste of live performance, honing her skills by playing guitar at jazz brunches throughout Memphis.

Moving to Chicago at age 18, Emily's songwriting ability was recognized before she even realized it. After playing some of her songs for fellow students at DePaul University, she found herself booked at college parties, political events, and local coffeehouses and bars. The crowds devoured her honest and candid stage demeanor, and Emily was soon supplementing her studies in art history, women's studies, and French with regular performances throughout the city. After two years in Chicago, Emily continued on to Boston where she played and wrote her way through two blizzards while pursuing her degree in music production and engineering.

In the fall of 2003 Emily put her degree on hold and took off on the road to tour manage singer-songwriter Edie Carey for four months. Sleeping in a different place every night and witnessing night after night the profound intimacy of acoustic music, Emily's songs started piling up, and she knew she needed to make a commitment to pursuing music as a career - there simply was no other option. Soon after returning to her own bed and refrigerator, Emily began recording 'Every Pulse,' the debut EP she released in the summer of 2005.

"With an innocent, emotionally present voice, White delivers punch after punch of raw truth, ensconced with beautiful melody and competent musicians to sweeten the dark mix of pain and shame that come with being human" Cheryl Kain of EdgeBoston.com says of this 7-song recording. Since its release, 'Every Pulse' has been gaining media attention and Emily has been playing shows throughout the country supporting the album, both with and without the bass and drum trio with whom she recorded.

Emily's stage presence is a compelling and quirky blend of humor and storytelling that wins new fans at each show, and her music is captivating and honest. Emily trades currencies of heartbreak and wit, passion and laughter, and fuses musical influences and styles seamlessly. She has been compared to Jonatha Brooke, Ani DiFranco, and Lisa Loeb, but her style and voice are truly her own.

Emily has performed countless festivals; the highlights include the Southern Girls Convention 2001, Ladyfest Midwest 2001, Estrojam 2005, and OUToberfest 2005. She has shared stages with Bitch (of Bitch and Animal), Ember Swift, Edie Carey, and Kym Tuvim. She has recently made the move from Boston back to Chicago where she continues to play and write, traveling often throughout the Midwest and Northeast supporting 'Every Pulse' and building a consistent and loyal fan base.