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Watching Emi on stage you soon notice like magic, she sprinkles in her music a little bit of childlike mischief, some traces of private secrets, and plenty of her natural delightfulness. She is eager to express meaning. As an observer, she finds inspiration in everyday experiences and stories from friends. Her music moves you with the comfortable familiarity it carries. You take her in through ears and eyes, but she moves your other senses. She often leaves you wondering, How does she do that? Where does she come from? Since singing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star at the age of two, Emi has sung her way into adulthood, as if she does not think it right to process words without their matching melodies. Joni Mitchell, The Jarvi family band and The Little Mermaid (she blushes) all are high on the list of Emi�s top musical influences from childhood. But she remains mysterious about who is her most important and reliable muse. J Carmichael is clearly high on that list. As Emi's co-writer J supplies Emi�s songs with carefully crafted guitar riffs, bass, drums and shiny production, too. Hand in hand they're exploring music like a solvable mystery. "We both want to write a song that's so out-there, that we almost hate it.", Emi grins, "It's something we've never tried. A love-it-or-hate-it reaction, nothing luke warm." It's clear Emi and J are completely comfortable around each other. Their open, natural confidence is a must since most of their material is about their relationship together. Blessed to be brought up by a loving musical family, Emi had started her musical odyssey long ago. The years spent in Berklee College of Music and Columbia College Chicago honed Emi's musical ability. "I learned that music is something you either do or you don't. It's that simple." Travelling has been a significant part of Emi's life. Born in Chicago, Emi has moved frequently, both with her family in her teenage years, and later for her studies and performances. Her footprints can also be found in Austin, Boston, Dorset, York, Las Vegas, and more. Emi�s d�but album, BlueStar Caf�, released in 2004, is critically acclaimed and is the result of many years of playing and writing music together with J. They then formed Lowground in York with bassist Andrew Davies, Ben Weaver on the keyboard, and drummer Dave Rogers. Lowground remains Emi and J�s side project. Singer/songwriter Matthew Langham describes Emi as blessed with a voice that can be immediate, pared down and stingingly pretty just as easily as it can lift, wheel and powerfully arc away. Such versatility fits the insightful lyrics that question and explore the ebb and flow of life. Indeed, frequently singers fall down when trying to strike a working balance between the two - that Emi delivers what she does with effortless control is remarkable. Her musical style is rich and intricate, but she always keeps it accessible. "It's difficult enough just trying to say what you mean. People often confuse simplicity with simple-mindedness. That's like confusing rain fall with a mud puddle." Often you realise she sees beauty in truth as well as the everyday, and you find yourself agreeing with her. She puts her listeners at ease. Emi does not hesitate to share her optimism freely, she considers herself a "silver lining kind of girl." Her wish to share music with others is admirable. Underneath it all, her genuine warmth is supported by an artist's sensitivity, a believer's faith, and a teacher's cordiality. She laughs, ''That's a TALL order... I'll see what I can do.'' written by Wanyu Lin | |
 Listen to Emi Jarvi (streaming) | ||
Downloads Available:
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Visit the Emi Jarvi web-site | ||
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Other artists from Earth Stacey Earle Dana Cooper Kristy Kruger | ||
Uncommon Ground Past Show Dates | ||
| 2007-09-06 (396 days) | Cubs | |
| Melissa Greener | ||
| Emi Jarvi | ||
| 2006-09-15 (752 days) | Cubs | |
| Emi Jarvi | ||
| Nathaniel Seer | ||
| Alan Morphew | ||
