"My Abilene Woman" by Dorian Marsh and Ian Ross Cohen

"Eyes of burgundy..."

This line was in Dorian Marsh's head from the inception of his collaboration with guitarist Ian Ross Cohen. He liked something about the turn of phrase, something about the concept of elusive, alluring eyes that forced him to proclaim, "I love her so."

Dorian didn't choose to sleep on the idea, though; he leaned into the unknown and went with it.

In this episode, Emmeline sits down with singer-songwriter Dorian Marsh and guitarist Ian Ross Cohen to talk about the collaborative process, the joy of finding like-minded creatives on the internet, and the importance of taking the leap--even when we're scared! Dorian shares the story of how he and Ian connected, and Ian talks about how his confidence in Dorian ultimately helped Dorian to have confidence in himself. The two see "My Abilene Woman" as a stellar example of honesty, vulnerability, and creativity--not without fear, but with fear in the back seat, where it belongs.

They also talk about finding inspiration in all kinds of art, and why genre can be difficult to pin down.

For more information about Dorian Marsh, or to follow his musical journey, find him on Spotify and Instagram. For more information about Ian Ross Cohen, or to follow his musical journey, find him on Spotify or on Instagram. You can listen to their collaborative record, Meeting Place, here.

For behind-the-scenes info and more about Journey of a Song, follow @EmmelineMusic on social media or visit the Journey of Series official webpage. You can hear songs from previous episodes through the Journey of a Song Official Spotify Playlist.

"If all I have is you, I'd be the richest girl in the room..."

Sometimes, a song starts as a single idea with a slew of metaphors, laid neatly into a note on an iPhone. You don't need more ideas, or better words; you just need a friend to help you pare it down.

For Americana artist Sarah Johnson, that's how her latest single--a love song, just in time for Valentine's Day--began. In this episode, Emmeline sits down with Sarah  to chat about her brand new song, "Lovinaires®." They talk about the different kinds of love that the song represents to Sarah, from love of audience and love of music to the more complicated love of life as a creative professional. Sarah shares the triumphs and struggles that she's faced in her intentional choice to pursue visual art and music and talks about the daily journey of making peace with those decisions. The ladies also talk about the terrifying joy of cowriting a song, the beauty in good collaborators, and the importance of knowing your strengths and weaknesses as an artist!

To learn more about Sarah Johnson, or to follow her musical journey, visit her official website or follow her on Instagram. 

For behind-the-scenes info and more about Journey of a Song, follow @EmmelineMusic on social media or visit the Journey of Series official webpage. You can hear songs from previous episodes through the Journey of a Song Official Spotify Playlist.

"Is there any love after death?" 

How can we move through grief? How can we honor our lost loved ones without allowing ourselves to be consumed by the past? How can we hold space for the memory of those we've lost and allow ourselves to live full, joyful, and meaningful lives?

For indie rock artist Chloe Clemente, the struggle to answer these questions manifested in the powerful "Love Letters to the Dead." In this episode, Emmeline sits down with Chloe and her guitarist Joseph Lacy to talk about how Chloe turned a few chords and the tendency to dwell into a song about leaving in the past what is no longer meant for us. Chloe shares the deeply personal story behind her song, her ongoing mental health journey, and the people and affirmations that allow her to carry the light of her loved ones forward in a positive and meaningful way. We also get to meet Chloe's dog, Tex, and she gives a shout-out to Journey of a Song alum, Brianna Ruelas.

To learn more about Chloe Clemente, or to follow her musical journey, visit her official website, or follow her on Instagram.

For behind-the-scenes info and more about Journey of a Song, follow @EmmelineMusic on social media or visit the Journey of Series official webpage. You can hear songs from previous episodes through the Journey of a Song Official Spotify Playlist.

"We're running fast on streets with cracks in 'em."

How do you grow older gracefully? Can you preserve a bit of childhood as adulthood looms? Can you ever run with childlike abandon as an adult? Does progress always come at a cost?

In "Ms. Clavel," the thoughtful waltz from her new album, Wake, singer-songwriter Katherine Paterson poses these questions and more through the lens of a friendly childhood figure. Using literary allusions to Madeline, a scalar piano line that skips like water over stones, and the repetition of a familiar line--"That's all there is; there isn't anymore"--Katherine evokes the passing of time with a melodic simplicity that would make Joni Mitchell proud.

In this episode, Emmeline and Katherine chat about growing older, holding space for sadness, how one marks the passing of time, and the challenge of painting portraits of the people we become when we're not looking (to borrow a phrase from Elaine Castillo). They also talk about their mutual love for Sondheim and the healing power of music.

For more information about Katherine Paterson, or to follow her musical journey, visit her official website. You can also pre-save Wake on Spotify. 

For behind-the-scenes info and more about Journey of a Song, follow @EmmelineMusic on social media or visit the Journey of Series official webpage. You can hear songs from previous episodes through the Journey of a Song Official Spotify Playlist.

"What a beautiful day out here in the park."

Inspiration for a song can come from anywhere around us is we stay open and curious. There's also a lot to be said for allowing oneself to surrender to a vibe.

In this episode, innovative songwriter and producer Daniel Candiotta sits down with Emmeline to talk about how the gift of breadsticks one fateful day led him to compose an entire EP. He also discusses his goal of releasing one EP a week--a surefire exercise in home recording, music production, and accountability. Daniel shares how he combats perfectionism and how his experience of the studio and of putting music together has evolved over the years. Plus, hear his hilarious stories about the evolution of his brand new single, "Duck Pond Eyes."

To learn more about Daniel Candiotta, or to follow his musical journey, visit him on Instagram, Spotify, and all over the web. For behind-the-scenes information and more about Journey of a Song, follow Emmeline on social media or visit the Journey of Series official webpage. You can also hear songs from previous episodes on the Journey of a Song Official Spotify playlist.

For behind-the-scenes info and more about Journey of a Song, follow @EmmelineMusic on social media or visit the Journey of Series official webpage. You can hear songs from previous episodes through the Journey of a Song Official Spotify Playlist.

"Where does the wind take you?"

Have you ever wanted something so badly, needed something so badly, that despite your best attempts, the need overtook you?  In the atmospheric, immersive "Ikarus," ¿Dónde está Alicia? explores Icarus's narrative from Greek mythology from this perspective of deep yearning.

In this episode, Journey of a Song goes bilingual! Emmeline sits down with Javier Nunez of ¿Dónde está Alicia? to talk about functioning in two languages as a musician, the journey of therapy, and the difficult but rewarding path of self-knowledge. Javier also shares a bit about writing and recording with a band from a distance--from home recording techniques to the unexpected ways in which songs can evolve with outside input!

To learn more about ¿Dónde está Alicia? or to follow their musical journey, visit the band on Instagram or on Spotify. For behind-the-scenes information and more about Journey of a Song, follow Emmeline on social media or visit the Journey of Series official webpage. You can also hear songs from previous episodes on the Journey of a Song Official Spotify playlist.

For behind-the-scenes info and more about Journey of a Song, follow @EmmelineMusic on social media or visit the Journey of Series official webpage. You can hear songs from previous episodes through the Journey of a Song Official Spotify Playlist.

"Deep in the woods, things aren’t always what they seem..." 

Songs might usually have some sort of emotional impetus, some big feeling that catapults them into being--but not all songs start with a feeling. Not all songs are initially borne from that place deep down inside of us that says, "See me. Hear me. Know me."

Some songs start, quite simply, with a prompt.

In this episode, folk and Americana artist Baylist Laramore shares how his eerie, contemplative track, "Flashing Lights," came from the combined influences of a prompt from a writers' group and a book he couldn't put down. Baylis talks about coming to songwriting later in life, about the importance of finding a songwriting community, and how writing prompts and musical friendships have inspired him to keep writing, keep singing, and keep creating. He also discusses the beauty of the Kerrville Folk Festival!

To hear more from Baylis, or to follow his musical journey, visit him online or on Instagram. For behind-the-scenes information and more about Journey of a Song, follow Emmeline on social media or visit the Journey of Series official webpage. You can also hear songs from previous episodes on the Journey of a Song Official Spotify playlist.

For behind-the-scenes info and more about Journey of a Song, follow @EmmelineMusic on social media or visit the Journey of Series official webpage. You can hear songs from previous episodes through the Journey of a Song Official Spotify Playlist.

"You were the spark that set my world on fire."

The best thing about songwriting is that it's honest. When we dig deep down to write from an authentic emotional place, songwriting always tells us the truth. Sometimes, it helps us find elusive truths.

In Episode #36 of Journey of an Artist, Tony Mendoza shared the beautiful story of the magical love he shared with his wife, Angela. In this episode of Journey of a Song, Tony shares the song he wrote for Angela to commemorate their love story. He talks with Emmeline about how, when he began songwriting as a form of processing his grief, he expected to write sad songs...but the more he wrote, the more he realized  Jamie Anderson's truth that, "Grief is just love with no place to go."

To learn more about Angela and Tony and their story, or to contribute to the scholarship fund in Angela's honor, please visit the official page for Angela's book, Dear Friends and Family. All proceeds from the sales, downloads, and streams of "Why I Love You" go directly to fund the next scholarship in Angela's name.

For behind-the-scenes info and more about Journey of a Song, follow @EmmelineMusic on social media or visit the Journey of Series official webpage. You can hear songs from previous episodes through the Journey of a Song Official Spotify Playlist.

"I think I'll cancel my plans today, so I can drive and see your face."

Sometimes, a song starts with a line. Sometimes, it starts with a melody. For Dallas-based singer-songwriter Remy Reilly, "What Do Ya Know" started with a vibe.

She knew the sound she wanted, and she knew the collaborator she wanted: Jonathan Tyler of Jonathan Tyler and the Northern Lights. The two spent an afternoon in the studio trying to capture a dreamy, feel-good summer vibe and left with one verse in their pockets.

Remy wrote the rest of the song on the car ride to that night's gig.

In this episode, Emmeline and Remy talk about finding inspiration for new compositions, cowriting, the influence playing live can have on a songwriter, and much, much more! Plus, hear a cameo from Remy's pet parrot!

To learn more about Remy Reilly, or to follow her musical journey, visit her official website. For behind-the-scenes information and more about Journey of a Song, follow Emmeline on social mediaor visit the Journey of Series official webpage. You can also hear songs from previous episodes on the Journey of a Song Official Spotify playlist.

For behind-the-scenes info and more about Journey of a Song, follow @EmmelineMusic on social media or visit the Journey of Series official webpage. You can hear songs from previous episodes through the Journey of a Song Official Spotify Playlist.

"I'm gonna thrive, just because I'll fight."

Maybe you need some encouragement. Maybe you need someone to remind you that you're not defined by your insecurities. Maybe you need to take a deep breath, screw up your courage, and invest in yourself.

In her moments of doubt, Chloe Clemente wrote "Angels Cry"--and she wants her new single to be your motivation to become your best self.

In this episode, Emmeline sits down with Chloe to talk about investing in self, the importance of education, the beauty of a supportive community, and the essential nature of vulnerability in music. Chloe shares the almost supernatural process by which "Angels Cry" was written and talks about how it chronicles her journey through depression. Emmeline and Chloe also discuss their mutual love of dogs--and how Chloe's dog accidentally made it into the final cut of "Angels Cry"!

To learn more about Chloe Clemente, or to follow her musical journey, visit her on Instagram or check out her official website. For behind-the-scenes information and more about Journey of a Song, follow Emmeline on social media or visit the Journey of Series official webpage. You can also hear songs from previous episodes on the Journey of a Song Official Spotify playlist.

For behind-the-scenes info and more about Journey of a Song, follow @EmmelineMusic on social media or visit the Journey of Series official webpage. You can hear songs from previous episodes through the Journey of a Song Official Spotify Playlist.