SCOTSIN - SCOTSIN: Emma-Jane Thommen - Scotsin's Answer to the X-Factor

SCOTSIN: Emma-Jane Thommen - Scotsin's Answer to the X-Factor

Written by Scotsin

Thursday, 01 May 2008

Emma-Jane Thommen is Scotsin and Scotland's Answer to the X-Factor and has performed brilliantly for Scots In London on many occasions. Scotland's Alicia Keys - singer and songwriter who's own material must be heard! We're delighted she's on our team.

Early Years

Born in North London in 1980, Affinity Scot Emma-Jane (or E-J for short!) was always more creative then academic, and began playing piano aged six after becoming bored of the wait during her older sister’s piano lessons, and so decided to join in. The love of music was born, and so was the frustration of certain music teachers, trying to get her to read music – “I have always believed music should be enjoyed and not considered a chore, and for me the chore was to read music – I much preferred to listen and play by ear, which isn’t ideal for sight-reading exams!” E-J began to learn a variety of different instruments from the good old recorder, followed shortly by violin, flute, guitar, and even made friends with her next-door neighbour who had a drum kit!

In 1989 when Emma-Jane was nine, her Dad was offered job in Scotland, and moved the family to Edinburgh. Being a strong-willed child (some would perhaps say ‘stubborn’), Emma-Jane made a point of keeping her English accent, even through the torments from the kids at her school, getting her own back on those that did…“There was this one kid that kept saying ‘say lager, say lager’ and would laugh when I said it in my accent, so one day after school I opened a can of lager my friend had found and poured it over his head – he seemed to quite like me after that, or at least stopped the torments!” The accent finally filtered through and now has a half Scottish, half English lilt (probably with a little of her parents’ Yorkshire thrown in there somewhere in the distance!). Having now spent most of her life in Edinburgh, Emma-Jane considers herself to be both Scottish and English, deciding on ‘British’ when people ask (“English born with a Scottish heart!”); a true Affinity Scot!

Music

During her early years, Emma-Jane’s musical influences included Queen (“The best rock band of all time!”), Fleetwood Mac and The Beatles, along with singer-songwriters Joni Mitchell, Carol King, Carly Simon and Tori Amos to name a few. Emma-Jane began songwriting from an early age – collecting ideas all the time but didn’t actually complete any material until her late teens when she wrote “Too Late” (no pun intended!).

Emma-Jane spent the next few years penning further songs, and began a course in Music & Music Technology at a local college where she formed a band with fellow student Tony, a drummer, who still travels down to London for gigs. Emma-Jane wanted to make a big impact from the start and invited some music press along to the first gig (which many people questioned, being her first gig!). It was however a success, and this was emphasised in the reviews the next day.

After several more gigs around Edinburgh, each gaining larger audiences, Emma-Jane decided to move to London in order to pursue music. She has been gigging at venues such as The Bedford and The Cobden Club, co-writing with some “amazing” songwriters and producers, and gaining more interest along the way.

Songwriting

Her lyrical ideas over the years have developed showing a range of emotionally charged, heartfelt songs with strong melodies in classic singer-songwriter style. The live band sound is also a characteristic of Emma-Jane’s work, with some songs like “Get Out Alive” showing a much rougher rockier edge. The song that really pushed her writing style is based on an event that changed her outlook just over a year ago. It was her 24th birthday and - ever the thrill seeker - Emma-Jane went go-karting, and found a new way to stop a go-kart… the scarf she was wearing had been tucked into her coat but came loose and attached on to the back wheel, strangling her whilst it was moving at around 40mph! The horrific accident has only confirmed her beliefs that life should be lived to the full, and so she set to work on the song “Angel With Me” which is based on the events of that day. One of Emma-Jane’s latest songs is dedicated to the victims of the 7th of July London bombings, and their families. The title “No Glory” is aimed at the bombers themselves, and their misguided beliefs that they will be praised for their horrendous actions.

Future

Emma-Jane continues to write and perform both on her own and with others, setting herself new challenges, hungry as ever for success. “The satisfaction you get when you’ve just written what you believe to be a great song - along with the adrenaline rush you get from performing it - is what keeps me motivated”. Look out for Emma-Jane Thommen at a gig near you!

Further Information

> Link to Emma-Jane Thommen Profile

> Link to Directory

> Emma-Jane Thommen website

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