Emma Hinkley

“I thought you changed. I guess not, though”, 15-year-old singer-songwriter Emma Hinkley sings into a microphone in Southlake last March while recording her song ‘I Guess Not, Though’. Her voice is lush, rich and sincere – truly a beautiful tone to hear. Emma began writing songs at eight years old, piecing words together into a puzzle for fun. It really came together for her when she picked up a guitar and started taking lessons. Once she had learned a handful of guitar chords she was able to finally put her songs to music and was hooked.Emma recorded an EP (available on iTunes) last year in a studio in Virginia with Chris Keup (who also recorded Jason Mraz). Together they spent two weeks straight putting together a Taylor Swift-esque pop record with songs about life, boys, friendship and growing up. With her feet wet from recording her EP, Emma is currently working in pre-production on a full length record expected to be out in mid-2014.

Ten Questions for Emma
1.What do you love most about songs?
They are open for interpretation; they mean different things for different people.
2.What is one thing people don’t know about you?
I can juggle three oranges.
3.Where are you happiest?
Barnes & Noble, teen section.
4.Who is your favorite singer-songwriter?
Taylor Swift – I love her lyrics and how they are relatable.
5.If you weren’t a singer-songwriter what would you be?
A photo-journalist.
6.What do you love most Who is your favorite fictional character?
Clary Fray, heroine in the Mortal Instruments series
7.Where is the most beautiful place you’ve visited?
The Island of Capri
8.What is the biggest challenge you’ve overcome?
The 9th Grade
9.What is your most treasured possession?
My guitar.
10.What are you most proud of?
My songs. - Southlake Arts

Rather than simply covering Taylor Swift songs, Emma Hinkley says she finds that same artist’s inspiration and writes material based on her own life experiences.

The 14-year-old plays guitar, piano and sings on ‘You Are’ & ‘Summer Rose’ with a voice that echoes the honesty and innocence of Swift. But she said sh needed more elements to make her songs complete.

That’s where Hall Music Productions in Southlake comes in. Music teachers David Hall & Andrew O’Hearn push students of all ages to play music from their favorite artists and create their own compositions. Then Hall & O’Hearn fill in on background with drums, bass and other elements, and mix the recording in their studio.

“We have so many creative kids, we just want to give them the outlet to do it,” Hall said. “They’re actually creating, they’re not emulating. They’re expressing themselves with something original.”

The Southlake studio has produced two CDs: Home Grown Volume 1 & 2 with 41 songs written and performed by artists ranging from 6 to 17.

For the children and teenagers, it’s a chance to hear a more complete and professionally recorded version of their creation.

“It was a really cool experience to see everything come together,” Emma said. “Andrew filled in everything in the backup to help build up the track. He and David bring everything together.”

In addition to being featured on the Home Grown CD, Emma has recorded a 6-track EP that she hopes to pitch to record companies. - The Southlake Journal