Have I Offended You?

Last week, I received my first piece of "hate mail" in a long time. I put that in quotation marks, because it wasn't really hate mail... more just insulting rhetoric designed to - I don't know - upset me? It certainly wasn't constructive.

Either way: the message basically boiled to one key point:

Stop talking.

Whether that's talking about the messages behind my music, or how and why I'm passionate about turning my struggles into songs, or how and why I'm passionate about coaching and teaching others [specifically young people, but let's be real: music is for everyone] about how to transmute their trauma into music to empower themselves.

*sigh*

And then - as if that message wasn't enough, : I received another piece of "advice" from someone responding to my latest single "Barbed Wire", and that advice was this:

Stop talking.

Now isn't the right time.

Now, if you missed the memo: I wrote Barbed Wire when I was 15years old. That was basically 20 years ago. It's a song I wrote in response to an incredibly traumatic experience I'd gone through... and, of course, writing my thoughts and feelings into a song was a?much?more productive use of my energy than some of the other ways I wanted to express myself [if you know what I mean].

And since I'm releasing a song a month throughout 2023 - each song aligning with a cause or awareness that's being honored during that month - it kind of only makes sense that I actually CONTINUE talking. Keep singing. Keeping writing.?Especially?as April is sexual assault awareness month.

Why am I telling you this today, ? Well, for three reasons:

1. If now's not the right time: when is? We live in a world that is?constantly?telling us who to be and how to show up... but the only one that's truly in control of the stories and songs we write are us. You are the one holding the pen. Don't let the world write your narrative, story, or song for you.

2. If, for whatever reason, what I've said or sang about?has?offended you: I invite you to absolutely cut the cord. I never ever want to offend or insult you. But I?will?invite you to have a conversation with me. Maybe use that discomfort as a place for learning, understanding, and growth. For both of us.

3. If you're interested in checking out my latest single: BARBED WIRE, the acoustic version is out now - on all streaming platforms. But watch this space, . The produced version drops THIS FRIDAY with all the bells, beats, whistles and samples.

I'm not gonna lie; my producer Flightboy Music did a phenomenal job. As the kids say: it slaps.

Pre-save Barbed Wire Here

So yes - making music with a message may "offend" some people. It may make people uncomfortable. It may spark some difficult conversations.

But what a catalyst for those conversations!

ICYMI: here's the lyric video for Barbed Wire.

Before I go, I want to draw your attention back to the top of this "blog" or "newsletter"... I was 15 when I wrote this song.

Fifteen.

Yes, that was 20years ago now, but the fact remains that young people need outlets for their processing, understanding and overcoming traumatic events in their lives. Especially in the post-isolation climate we're living in at the moment.

Music has always been my outlet for helping me process, overcome and transmute my struggles, stressors, and overwhelm into something powerful, creative and empowering.

I have 3 spots available next month for new clients. If you're interested in working with me [or having your teen work with me] one on one to turn pain into power through music, click here to schedule a discovery call with me.

Till then, have an amazing day on purpose.

~ Emma G