Review Fix Exclusive: Emma Hewson Talks ‘Mismatched’ And More

Review Fix chats with singer/songwriter Emma Hewson, who discusses her new track, “Mismatched,” as well as her origin in music and more.

Review Fix: How did you get involved in music?

Emma Hewson: I actually don’t remember getting started in music, as it was something I always did. Apparently I was singing away and plunking on the piano as a toddler! But I officially started taking lessons when I was 9, and I was song-writing a few years before that.

Review Fix: What’s your creative process like?

Hewson: Nowadays it varies, but as I’ve been focusing on production, I usually start in my DAW. I either record whatever random melody that’s popped into my head that day,  or I make an instrumental idea and go from there. I try to make sure my lyrics align with my artistic vision – I used to keep whatever words came into my head but now I try to make them more meaningful.

Review Fix: What inspires you?

Hewson: Other artists really inspire me, especially my friends and community who are always writing and creating art. People who don’t work in the arts tend to think you’re either Beyonce or you’re a ‘struggling artist,’ when in reality there is this bustling, thriving community of artists making really thrilling art in the meantime. That’s who I’m inspired by most. 

Review Fix: What does music mean to you?

Hewson: Music is part of my identity. It’s not really something I do, but more a language and culture I speak and know well. So music is not just the sound, but it’s also my job, my community, my culture, my passtime, my inspiration.

Review Fix: How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard you?

Hewson: Vocally, I’m often compared to Norah Jones meet Erykah Badu, which are high praises, of course. But my voice and harmonic choices are very informed by jazz and my academic background. Musically, I really like complex, creative pop music like Kimbra, Doja Cat, or Mahalia, and try to create catchy synth pop that isn’t super conventional.

Review Fix: How are your live shows different from your studio work?

Hewson: I’ve spent most of my adult life as a performer, as opposed to the production work I’m doing now. It’s going to be interesting adapting my new sound into a live show – but in the past, I’ve loved creating arrangements for a band that include improvised sections, spoken word pieces, and lots of room for play and drama.

Review Fix: What inspired your latest single?

Hewson: Mismatched, my latest single, was inspired by the relationship I was in at the time. I knew that we were going to have to break up so I started writing some sassy lyrics to help me come to terms with everything. I also was working with a 5 piece band at the time so the instrumentation was originally inspired by the live show.

Review Fix: What are your goals for 2021? 

Hewson: Like everyone, my goal for 2021 is to survive the pandemic! But professionally, I’m excited to continue producing music and making videos for my art. I’d also like to expand my piano teaching business further and keep working on my hobby, learning Spanish! (Spanish music has been a huge influence for me this past year).

Review Fix: What’s next?

Hewson: Look out for my next single, which will be a collaboration with my friend Brandon Gibson-Degroote, of Precious Jewel. The release date is TBA.

Review Fix: Anything else you’d like to add?

Hewson: If you haven’t, definitely check out the animated music video I commissioned for my single, ‘Mismatched.’ I worked hard to make sure that the video was cute, funny, and in line with my body-positive views!