“Becoming proud of yourself is the best gift you can give yourself.” — Margo Vader

Happy Monday, friends!

I know this sounds a little weird, but I've always worn odd socks on purpose. Not because I couldn't find matching ones, but because I refused to even attempt to be normal. I knew I wasn't like the other kids at my school. I was often referred to as the "token brown kid" (yep, New Zealand has its subtle racism too!). I was always told I was too loud. And I was definitely the only kid who had had brain surgery (just call me Frankenstein!).

But I didn't care. I wouldn't let anyone yuk my yum.

At least for a while.

Eventually, it all caught up with me, and I started doubting myself, trying to fit in, and attempting to get quiet.

Until I realized that MUSIC was my get-out-of-jail-free card.

... seriously. I even did a whole TED Talk about it.

The TL;DR [or TL;DW as the case may be] of it all is this:

I started pouring my heart into songwriting, using lyrics to express myself when I was super young. At age 11, I wrote, recorded, a released a song called "Look Around," which addressed poverty, climate change, and the importance of caring about one another. That same year, I was on TV talking about it, and why those issues were important to me. The next year: I won a trip to Disney World, FL, as one of ten ambassadors from NZ to attend a worldwide youth symposium for young people "destined to change the world". [Now, I'm not saying I'm going to change the world, but I'm going to damn well try to have at least a little bit of a positive effect! We can all do our part]. While I was there: I even had the opportunity to head to California and talk to a middle school in Pasadena, CA, about the power of songwriting.

Cut to summer 2024, and it's wild to reflect on all the growth, changes, and development my dreams have made over time. But certain things have definitely stayed consistent:

I'm STILL speaking and working with young people about embracing, amplifying, and expressing the power of their voices through music (hence why I officially founded YES Youth Coaching in Dec of last year, with fiscal sponsorship from CORE Foundation). I'm STILL way too loud and not apologizing for it. I'm STILL writing, singing, recording, and releasing songs about issues that matter to me. I'm STILL wearing odd socks.

Because in a world that profits from self-doubt, the best thing we can do is love ourselves, express ourselves, and be unapologetically our authentic selves.

I just happen to raise my voice and express myself through the lens of songwriting and music. And hoping to ignite a spark in other young people around the country to recognize the power and importance of their voices too.

And, because people kept asking for a more detailed schedule of where I'm going to be and when; here are my summer plans for 2024:

YUP!

If you're in Atlanta, Chicago, Miami, Orlando, New Orleans, Biloxi, Dallas, Austin, Palm Beach, San Antonio, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Baltimore, Indianapolis, Pigeon Forge, New Haven, Myrtle Beach, Philadelphia, New York, Ledyard, or Niagara Falls, I'll see you soon. And if you have a teenager who is curious about using songwriting as a tool for self expression and, let's be honest, communication: make sure you register them for one of my Youth Empowerment through Songwriting workshops too!

After all, the music we make has the potential to stick with us our entire lives. In fact, I still remember - vividly - the lyrics of one of my friends at a songwriting retreat I attended in Brisbane back is 2004:

"Like odd socks, it's our scent that keeps us together"

Becoming proud of who we are is the best gift we can give ourselves. So let's embrace our uniqueness [and our odd socks], love ourselves fiercely, and celebrate our authentic selves together this summer.

Have an amazing day on purpose!

x

Emma G

P.S. Spread the word and bring your friends and family to the tour. Let’s make this summer unforgettable!