“Over the years when I was dating, I wished there was one album that I could go to, to take me through everything I was feeling.” — Emily Brooke’s all of the pieces (unplugged) EP
From Wellington, Florida. Where would you take new visitors to your hometown?
The neighborhood I grew up in. It was truly really awesome. I grew up on a cul-de-sac and my neighborhood had canals so we’d go fishing, ride around in golf carts, and skateboard.
Songwriter inspiration. At age 10 you attended CMA Fest. Since 2006, the Fest’s Foundation has given a portion of proceeds to music education initiatives supporting students K-12 across the country. A favorite memory from one of your own music classes in school?
I had a music class in elementary school and my favorite memory was playing a song with my dad for performance day.
American Idol, seasons 14 and 15, a Top 24 finalist. How did your appearance on the reality show impact your personal life?
Most of my best friends, I didn’t go to school with, so when I changed from public school to high school, not much changed! I just saw who my real friends were.
Debut self-titled EP. Co-wrote “We’ll See” with Josh Kerr and Hannah Ellis. What is the backstory to the song?
When I was a teenager, I had a crush on a boy. His dad was friends with my family, so his Dad would come to a lot of my shows. He tried to get his son to come out to one of my shows and he said, “We’ll see.” I’ve always been a little sassy, so I took the story to Hannah & Josh & we wrote “We’ll See” in about an hour!
‘If you’re gonna play me baby, just quit, cause I can promise you now you don’t wanna see the Whiskey Side of Me.’ “My mom actually gave me the thought. I love SUPER sweet white wines, but I also love whiskey. She was telling me one day, ’Em, you should really write a song about white wine and whiskey, I don’t know what that sounds like, but it could be really cool’ and that was all I had.” Co-written with Lauren McLamb and Blaine Mitchell, you’ve shared how this song is relatable and personal. If you were to create a playlist filled with similar songs, ones that are filled with confident and powerful emotions, what songs would top the list?
I actually made a playlist for that specifically!
The Nashville Country Café Tour, throughout the Netherlands, brought Music City to European fans. The venues were intimate theaters, to recreate a night in Nashville at the Bluebird Café. What was it like to bring country music across international borders?
It was so amazing! It was such an awesome experience and I loved getting to meet so many fans out there!
The latest, “last to know,” was co-written with Tori Tullier and Ryan Petersen, captures the heartache of realizing a relationship is over. “This song has been long anticipated by a lot of my fans and it’s about a feeling I believe everyone has gone through…knowing something is coming to an end and wishing you didn’t see it coming so you could enjoy the love a little longer. I hope it brings comfort to people who have gone through that kind of heartbreak.” Can you share a fan’s story of how the lyrics have resonated with a time in their own lives?
I got hundreds of comments on a TikTok that I posted about that song. So many people saying they just went through it, and I’m so happy that it’s finally out for people to listen to!
Living through an emotional dating rollercoaster and writing about every emotion you felt. Recorded your sophomore EP, all of the pieces, unplugged to be as broken down and vulnerable as possible. “I’ve grown and learned so much about myself and what feels the most authentic to me as a person and an artist over the more than 15 years I’ve been professionally pursuing my career.” How has the experience changed you as a songwriter?
Just knowing my sound and creating my own voicing in my writing that’s unique to me. It’s so cool having friends hear a song that I’ve written and go, “I know that’s an Emily melody.”
You said the new EP is a transitional album in what’s to come from you in the new year. What’s ahead in 2025?
In 2025, you’ll hear more of the soundings of “Think You’re Jolene,” “Whiskey Side of Me,” “Why, Why,” — really leaning into my roots of growing up on Country & Rock.
For more information and to stay updated on Brooke visit www.emilybrookemusic.com/ and follow her on her social media platforms including Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and Tik Tok.