Emilie Reid is a British-born, LA-based singer-songwriter, producer and
multi-instrumentalist. Her single, “House of the Silent,” builds on her debut album, Leopard~Sukha, drawing from the Pop Rock world of the late ’70s and ’80s. The track blends synth-driven production with dance influences, drawing on the sonic worlds of Prince, Donna Summer, and Madonna’s early work, while developing its own distinct sound.
With “House of the Silent” out now, we took some time to hear from Emilie Reid. Read below to learn more about Emilie Reid, the story behind “House of the Silent,” and what’s to come.
Hi Emilie Reid! Let’s start with how did you choose your stage name?
Well, it’s my name!
What city are you from, and where are you based now?
I was born in London, but have lived in New York and am now based full time in Los Angeles.
At what point in your life did you decide to pursue a career in music? How did you get started?
It’s a really good example of unconscious desires coming true, I always loved music and was obsessed by it, but didn’t really have the confidence to do it, but then once I got in the studio for the first time, I was hook line and sinker in love, and now there is no looking back.
How would you describe your sound?
I guess at the moment it’s Pop Rock with Disco elements, but I am always wanting to try new things and innovate where I’m at so who knows what it will become and there is certainly a filmic darkness to my lyrics, which I can’t help.
Do you have any hobbies outside of music? What do you do to stay creative?
I’m so greedy artistically, I love film, theater, painting, reading, etc., but on a usual day, if it’s free, I’m usually on a run somewhere in nature or writing music.
Who are some of your main musical influences?
Quincy Jones as a producer, an obvious choice but he just is my hero. Prince as an instrumentalist and performer. Lindsey Buckingham as a guitarist, we have a similar way of playing although I’ll spend the rest of my life on this earth trying to be as good as him! Donna Summer is my disco queen of course, and Stevie Nicks and John Lennon as lyricists.
Who would be a dream to collaborate with?
Nile Rogers. Nile if you read this and are down, please call my manager! Random fact is that I actually met Nile Rogers when I was 8 – he saw me dancing so much when he was on stage that he came up to me after and took a photo with me. He won’t remember, but I will never forget!
What’s one of the proudest moments of your music career so far?
I try not to get proud because I get superstitious something bad is going to happen if ever I let my ego get inflated, but I will say it’s kind random, but I really love my bass line that I played in “House of the Silent,” and my upcoming track, “Prince of the Groove.” I never saw myself as a Bootsy Collins, but now I’m thinking, hey, it could be on the cards!
What would you say are the greatest lessons that you’ve learned so far?
Listen to feedback, don’t be too arrogant as to think, well, my music just isn’t for you then. Try to be open and see your music objectively. When you’re creating, keep pushing yourself, don’t always go for the first idea that comes to mind, refine, innovate, refine, innovate, that is kind my mantra at the moment.
Now onto your release, “House of the Silent.” What inspired this song?
Well, this song is where I really began to find my sound a little more. I had come through a lot of things, but realizing there’s a part of you that can never change — and that it’s simply redirected — that’s at the heart of the lyrics, without being too specific.
Sonically, there is an ecstasy and a chaos, and that was deliberate. The quiet intro came from this image I had in my head of a lone figure playing a piano far away in a beautiful house (which was me playing it in the studio, of course), but that kind of objective look at someone — never really knowing what’s going on with them.
What was the inspiration behind the cover artwork for “House of the Silent?”
I actually took and edited that photo myself. I wanted there to be this kind spinning feeling, the spinning of the disco spirit, the mind, the soul, etc.
What was the creative process like when making “House of the Silent?”
I wrote it on piano. I then recorded the piano part at Sound Factory in Hollywood, with my friend Rob engineering. We then layered in synths and recorded live drums but also used a drum machine to give the Kick drum in particular more punch. I then finally went and did a bunch of vocals, with harmonies etc and then I always end up with ad libs that I use sparingly but do like to have in there. In my head I have such a clear vision of the story of the song so Blake, who mixed the track did an amazing job of bringing my visual ideas into the sound.
How long did it take to complete “House of the Silent?”
A couple weeks, not too long, that was mainly just mixing and shipping tracks back and forth.
What is your favorite lyric in “House of the Silent” and why?
Oh man, I guess maybe “touch my body, not my soul, what have you done, what have you done to me?” It’s sort of the heart of the whole emotional life of the song.
What do you hope fans take away from “House of the Silent” and your music in general?
I always want people to have an experience of their own, whatever it means to them and in saying that I really hope people when they listen enjoy the musical experience of course, but feel seen, like don’t worry, I’ve been there, I get it, your not alone.
What’s next? Are you working on any upcoming projects, or do you have any upcoming shows that we should be on the lookout for?
I have a single called “Prince of the Groove” coming out in a week, then I’ll work on the next track – I’m always working on something. I’m hoping to play a couple of shows in LA and London soon, but no dates as of yet. They will be on my social media soon, so follow to be up to date.
Where can we follow you on social media?
https://www.instagram.com/emiliereid_/
https://www.tiktok.com/@emiliereidmusic
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61593532066336
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkTdWb_ljMgYSeiqKl6r3EQ
Thank you for the great interview; wish you much continued success!
