Emily Lynn - Vocalist with Aussie Pink Floyd

Mark: 0:02

Hi, I'm Mark. Welcome to Talk to the Band, the podcast that is passionate about contemporary music. Our guest today is a UK female vocalist and pianist who has performed and recorded with the band Thunder. She's also shared the stage with the likes of Dame Cleo Laine, Scott Gorham from Thin Lizzy and Andy Taylor from Duran Duran. For the last 10 years she has been touring with the Australian Pink Floyd show, performing in countless arenas in London, Europe, America and Canada. A warm welcome to Emily Lynn. Emily, thank you so much for being on the show today.

Emily Lynn: 0:42

No worries, nice to be here. Thanks for having me.

Mark: 0:46

Can we start at the beginning? You first started in music when you were just four apparently, is that correct?

Emily Lynn: 0:51

Yeah, I did Suzuki Violin and my mum, my dad was a classical musician. It was, I think it was like the the thing in those days, it was like an alternative way of learning music and it's very parental, your parents kind of run how you do it at home and it's about listening and, and feeling and stuff - it's a bit hippy, but it definitely trained my ear and I started reading dots before I started reading words, but the dots were like the bees, you know, big pictures of bees and stuff. But that was like a really good start, I think for my, for training my ear.

Mark: 1:27

You then trained at the Guildhall School of Music when you were 15?

Emily Lynn: 1:30

Yeah, so I did a, it's called the apprentice or something course? It's like a Saturday morning course,but it actually wasn't in music, it was in drama. I kind of, ditching the Violin and learning the Trumpet with my dad, I kind of really got into musical theatre as a teenager and started singing and wanted to do a bit of acting, and I just went for the audition because my dad went to Guildhall. That was why I ended up there, just on Saturdays, and yeah, it was acting but again, really wasn't, couldn't really find my feet. I really wasn't that into it. And so, around the same time I was doing the musical, the theatre train, and the National Youth Music Theatre, which was kind of more my style because I was more singing rather than straight acting at Guildhall. And yeah, that was what I really loved, and then when I finished school, I went to a drama school in London called Italian Conti and did a diploma there in voice. And then I just thought, you know what I really don't like this musical theatre malarkey, it's too Jazz hands, it's too, I just can't, I can't do this. And I didn't get on with a dancing, and so, I just felt like my place was being a musician and being with the lads, you know, being with a section of singers, and that was what led me to go to Leeds and study popular music.

Mark: 2:58

At what point in your life did you realise that all you want to do is music?

Emily Lynn: 3:05

It was just something that we always did. You know, my both my parents being musicians, it was just as normal as getting up and brushing your teeth in the morning. You know, it's just something that you did. However, when I started touring, my Mum and Dad kept a box, they called it the Emily box, and it had all my little report, school reports and stuff in it, things I'd drawn. And there was one report that I had written when I was 16 that we had to do before leaving school, and it was what do you want to do when you're older, you know that classic line. And I had written in there having no idea what I was going to do really, I'd written all I want to do is sing and travel. And I was like, and we were just like, wow, we can't I just can't believe that is manifested in this way, you know? I'm just so lucky and amazed that I wanted to, I probably didn't want to do that when I was younger, but you know, didn't think much of it.

Mark: 3:57

Have they managed to see you performing professionally?

Emily Lynn: 4:01

Yes, they've seen quite a lot of things that I've been involved with over the years. I used to go and see Dad at the English National Opera and he used to be in the pit and he used to sort of wave up at me. And I used to wave down at him and it was like a really special moment. You know, this is when I was really young. Going to the opera I was you know, I think my first opera, I was in a Moses basket. And then the first, the most memorable gig was at the Hammersmith Apollo, I think it was the first year I joined Aussie Floyd. And, it was an amazing you know, we've played lots of different amazing venues but, Hammersmith Apollo, my Mum and Dad were there, it was their first ever rock concert. They've never been to see like a Pink Floyd show or anything like that. Barely listened to any, you know, pop or rock music, and there I was at the end of the show, waving up at him and he was waving down at me. And it was just that exchange, and it was just like, oh look tears in our eyes and everything it was it was just so, such a proud moment for the whole family really.

Mark: 4:59

And kind of gone full circle as well, hasn't it?

Emily Lynn: 5:02

Yeah, definitely, the whole full circle. So it's just, it's worked out perfectly (laugh).

Mark: 5:08

So let's talk about some of your inspirations, who did you grew up listening to? What musicians or singers kind of, inspired you and did you find yourself gravitating towards?

Emily Lynn: 5:19

I think, I grew up... my dad was in the choir from he's been a Chorister since he was seven and my mom's been a lay reader for 20 years. So I did grow up with a lot of church, kind of choral music, and I think that's why I love acapella music so much and Choral stuff and quite lots of plane singing, plane song. That kind of music really speaks to me in not like a religious way, but like a spiritual way, and it's just very calming, very nostalgic, very beautiful. Like there's a song called "Lullaby Good night, my angel" by Billy Joel, but the King Singers do a live arrangement, the King Singers are a little six part, six piece acapella group. And it's just there's something about them voices that are just, it's just so nostalgic, I could listen to that all day long. If I was on a desert island, that would be the song that I would listen to over and over again. But people who know me would not think that I would choose that song because of the kinds of work that I do and I don't do anything like the King Singers. But the King Singers, and the Swingle Singers have been very influential to me, I just think it's just such beautiful singing.

Mark: 6:32

So as you think it's growing up in that environment and listening to music, that's maybe giving you that mindset of loving the layered vocals and being part of the overall sounds.

Emily Lynn: 6:41

Yeah, definitely. And that's the reason why I'm doing what I do now, and provide this 24 hour BV service. Check it out! Emilylynnvocals.com. (laugh) I'll make sure we do a link don't you worry. (laugh)

Mark: 6:53

So you leave your education, and you start, well you start your career singing in Celebrity Christmas cards.

Emily Lynn: 7:01

Yeah, I think that might be one of the first ever professional jobs I had, maybe or second and it was, I got it through the college with two other girls, and I think it was Hallmark. They were sending Celebrities, like radio show hosts and stuff, little, these, singing cards, so we had to sing into these cards, and they would get posted off. Yeah. (laugh)

Mark: 7:30

Can we talk about Dame Cleo Laine, and Thunder?

Emily Lynn: 7:33

Yeah, so erm, that acapella thing has been huge for me and I used to like a group that aren't together unfortunately anymore called Vibe. And, the singer, one of the singers - Emily Dankworth, her grandma is Dame Cleo Laine. So, just by chance, they needed someone to dep in their acapella group and obviously that was kind of my thing, and we actually went to the Stables, we rehearsed in Dame Cleo Laine's living room, and we did this gig and the Dankworth family were there, Dame Cleo Laine was there and it was just, it was incredible. So that's a really cool band, but Thunder, as well are just a huge part of my life, my life and my musical journey. Because, Ben from Thunder is one of the guitarist and keyboard players. He hosted my audition for Aussie Floyd and he was the one really, who said get this girl in, and really put the faith in me to start my touring career. And then since then, I've also recorded on a couple of Thunder albums that reached, I think one reached number two in the UK album charts below the "Greatest Showmen", and the other one was like number seven or something. And, we toured that album, and we got to record it at the Rockfield studios, which is obviously where Queen were recording and Bohemian Rhapsody was written and recorded. So it's just a huge, amazing time with them, and they do a Christmas show every year and so we sing backing vocals for them. I love arranging all the songs, all the BVs for them and stuff, they leave it to me, just get on with it Emily, you deal with it.

Mark: 9:19

Okay, so you mentioned Ozzy Floyd...

Emily Lynn: 9:22

Hmm.

Mark: 9:23

How did that audition actually come about?

Emily Lynn: 9:27

I just can't believe it to be honest, I know COVID has happened and I haven't toured for a while but, it's been 10 years with that band, and it's just it's a huge part of my life. I started when I was in my sort of mid 20s and now I'm in my mid 30s, they really have seen us grow into like a woman you know. And so it came about because I freaked out after my Master's degree, I was like, what am I going to do? I don't know what to do and how do I start being a singer? So I went onto Star Now and started applying for pretty much everything I could get, it was it was free in those days. And, a woman came about that had done backing vocals for a really high end, I won't name, mention any names, but a really high end celeb, and she was doing her own stuff. So I went down to audition for her own stuff and it was a waste of time. It was a load of just rubbish, and they already knew who they were going to take because there's three girls there all ready and rehearsed together, it was just a waste time. But it was those girls that I met at that audition that said "Well, we can't make this other audition. Do you want to come along?" And I was like, Yeah, of course and I lived in Leeds at the time and the audition was in South London. It was like the worst snow that Kent had seen in years. I was travelling down on a MegaBus, which cost a quid, and I was about three hours late for this audition, I was drenched in sweat and snow and it was just terrible, I had my wellies on. And it was a really good audition. It was a really, it felt like a really good audition I did a, I didn't really know who I was auditioning for either. I didn't really know any Pink Floyd songs. When they said, "Can you sing Great Gig in the Sky"? I said, well, "What's great gig in the sky?, I don't know. And they were like, what's Great Gig in the Sky? And I was like, I should have really done my research there, I must have really offended somebody, but they actually just laughed it off, and then they asked me back for a second audition. And then, the first tour was a few weeks later, and we covered about, 56 different places amongst 10 European countries in the space of four months. Bare in mind I'd just left college really, and I've never even been on a tour bus. I've never, I've never used In-ears before. You know, it was just massive, and now, I've never taken it for granted because it's just been the most incredible experience, If I didn't ever tour again, now because of Covid, I would feel very satisfied that I've done that, I've been with them, and it's just the guys in the band are just so lovely and it's a huge amazing family network and all the crew are just are just lovely and just we're just really lucky.

Mark: 12:09

I know in the industry they've got an amazing reputation. I mean, they are the only, I hate using the word tribute act, but, tribute act to Floyd that Floyd actually endorse?

Emily Lynn: 12:20

Yeah, well I remember when I first joined, and The Times were there doing an article and they said they're the biggest touring tribute show in the world. And I think they were at the time. I'm not sure about now, I think they're still pretty pretty up there.They tour all the same venues as all the major artists, all the same arenas, same venues and, probably maybe not the same amount of people but, they've got such a huge, they've got such a huge following, they've been going for 30 years, thirty years or something. So they have really built this from, you know, packing their own van and driving across Australia to, a massive arena show, it's just incredible the story.

Mark: 13:04

What was that very first show light with them, walking out on to the stage?

Emily Lynn: 13:08

I can't remember what it was. Oh, I do remember it was because it was the, it was, the first show was kind of just for the press and it was at LH2 in London, the rehearsal studios. And, I **** myself, I did. I just, I can nail vocals, they're not difficult backing vocal parts. The dance moves weren't hard, but it was just, getting used to the in-ears and making sure it was just, I mean, this is a really high end show, I've got to be absolutely spotless at all times, and I just remember feeling that pressure, and Delara the other singer was like, so how does this go again? (laugh) I was like, I don't know, I don't know.

Mark: 13:55

Let's talk about keys for a minute because, you kind of took the leap not that long ago to start playing piano in bars, but also obviously singing and playing at the same time, which, we both know is not the easiest of things to do.

Emily Lynn: 14:09

(laugh) I don't know how it happened. I think, I broke up with a boyfriend who was a keyboard player. So that, I immediately thought well how am I going to do this because we should have a Duo together, and that actually led me to just really start practising the piano seriously. And, thankfully Aussie Floyd gave me the time to do that because I'm not due for a soundcheck until four, I've got all day to do whatever we want. So, I just used to, I carry my keyboard around, set up in the dressing room and I'll just sit there all day and practice and I started practising the Hanon technique, which is like some little scales and suddenly my fingers just started working. And then I did it solidly for a whole tour, so I could do some walking baselines with my left hand. And then I sort of, even though I knew about Harmony, it kind of opened up different things for me, seeing it in chords with my hands. So I learned about how to do you know, Bassless voicings in my right hand so I wasn't playing the same note, you know, all of those sorts of things I've never even thought about before. And now it's actually made me a better arranger, vocal arranger anyway, because of having the skills on the Piano. And that's the advice I would give to anybody is, is learn a second instrument, early doors, it's never too late because I learned started learning six years ago. Seriously, and now I'm actually a professional piano player that goes around and sings, and I've played in Monaco Casino, and like all these cool venues and, you know, the Ritz, and it's just, I've been really lucky, but I have worked so hard on piano, I really have

Mark: 15:52

it's time for The Final Five. If you were to recommend one album or song, old or new, that everybody should listen to at least once in their lifetime. What would it be?

Emily Lynn: 16:07

It would be "Good Night My Angel" by Billy Joel, but not Billy Joel's version. It's the king Singers live version. It's just beautiful. It's spiritual, and I very much plane singing, plane song and angelic. I just absolutely love it!

Mark: 16:27

Question two. What artists and albums are you currently listening to?

Emily Lynn: 16:31

Ooh, I'm listening to Lianne La Havas, her album "Lianne La Havas", hich was released quite recently. She's an amazing musician, and songwriter. When I first heard her, I was thinking, Blimey, she's got a wide vibrato, but over the years it's kind of like, levelled out, and she's just incredible. There's an amazing video of her on YouTube, doing one of her songs with the Philharmonic Orchestra.I think it's on YouTube, and it's with the conductor Jules Buckley, who is amazing, who does a lot of work with the Metropole Orkest that does the North North Sea Jazz Festival. She is just amazing. And then also, Jacob Collier, because I feel like, I mean, obviously he is a genius. Everyone knows he's amazing, but I do feel like he's just seems like he's such a lovely guy, and he wants everyone to learn about what he knows. And, I feel like, in the same way that dare I say it? Jamie Cullum tried to sort of bridge the gap between Jazz and making it more commercial and everyone kind of hated him for it. I feel like Jacob's also doing that, and trying to make what he does and what he knows, commercial and so that everyone can also understand it, and I really like that about him.

Mark: 17:46

Also, I mean, all the videos and the recordings are so fun.

Emily Lynn: 17:49

Yeah, they are, they are, he reminds me of like an English Kermit the Frog. Doesn't he? I just, he does, the way he

speaks: 17:58

"Oh, everyone. Welcome to my channel". (laugh)

Mark: 18:01

(Laughing) Right, that leads us on to our next question...Name a musician or artist who has had a profound effect on you, and why?

Emily Lynn: 18:12

I've been asked this question before actually, and there's no-one famous at all? Nobody famous, it's always people that influenced me and wow me the most are the people that I've worked with over the years. So for example, I've used Lizzie Dean before who's just a working session singer in London, but she marked my final gig thing at Leeds College of Music. And then she asked me to dep for her and then I end up with her in a Vintage band that I sing with, and just her professionalism, her vocals, how beautiful she is, inside and out. She just wants you to do well and really supports you, and I just think there's, there's a lack of people in the industry that really support young people or, want you know, because we're all each other's competition, and she's one that's really just, just wowed me with her professionalism, and her vocals and everything - she's just amazing. I don't know who else there is? Probably Danny from Thunder again, the lead singer with his amazing vocals, his, I'm just. in the morning we'll get up and we have a rehearsal, and he just, gets the mic, and just belts it out. And I'm like, how do you do that? You're amazing" Oh but yeah. probably those two.

Mark: 19:30

Next question. If it was possible for you to speak to your younger self, when you were first setting out, what advice would you give to yourself, then?

Emily Lynn: 19:38

So much, SO MUCH! I actually wrote a list of these down as well. And one of them, was don't listen to what people say about you, it's not a reflection of your abilities, it's a reflection of their insecurities. And I think, that is so important for young people, it's so difficult in this industry, and, you get put down a lot and made you feel like you're not good enough, but you are enough. You know, there are people out there that will think that you are amazing, and it has happened over the years, you know, and everyone gets knocks. But, that's definitely one of them, and to keep going, keep going, never ever stop. Never, never get the hump and just say "oh sack it off!", because something will happen, if you put the effort in, something will happen for everyone. Learn a second instrument, early doors, definitely, especially if you're a female. Definitely, because a female instrumentalists are hard to come by. So if you if you look good, you can sing well, and you can play a little bit of something else, that's, that will get you work for sure. Don't leave London, I wrote that one down. Don't go to Leeds. I did love it there, it was amazing! Sorry I don't want to say anything bad abut Leeds because it was amazing, but I just feel like London is where it's at. And I feel like I should have stayed. Say yes to everything, even if you're not ready for it, and learn it on the job. I stupidly said yes to play at The Piano Works, which is the request bar, having not really, I think I've only played piano for about a year and I was like, yeah, I'll do it. I sat down, and I just couldn't do it, it was just so hard, like having requests and just having to know them and play them, and lead a band. But I did it, and I'm glad I did it, and it was a learning curve. I'm not sure I'll go back and do it again. (laugh) But, I'm glad I did it, even though I failed miserably. Yes and, it's never too late to start now as well. It's never too late. I mean, I think women often feel like oh, you know, you know, I'm going to be reaching 40 soon, you know, and, I want to settle down. You know, it's never too late to just sort of just change your, your road a little bit. If you don't want to tour anymore, go and do session work or teaching or something, but if you love music, yeah, definitely, start now. Whatever you do, whatever you want to do.

Mark: 21:57

(Laugh) Okay, and now the last one. Of all the times over the years that you've performed. Is there a one gig or show that is the most memorable for you?

Emily Lynn: 22:09

Yeah, it's, it's the gig at Hammersmith Apollo. When, you know, I used to go and see my Dad play the orchestra and I used to wave down at him and he's the wave up at me. And then, you know, in my career, and my first or their first ever rock gig they'd ever been to, they came to see me at Hammersmith, Apollo. And when we were waving goodbye at the end of the show, I was waving up at him and he was waving down at me, and it was just that exchange. Was just incredible, I mean, the gig was great obviously, because we're playing Hammersmith Apollo for the first time, but it was made extra special because he, well they were there. It just was a real proud moment, crying and everything. (laugh)

Mark: 22:51

Well I'm afraid that's all we have time for today. Emily, thank you so much for being on the show today, it's been an absolute pleasure. And of course, a big thank you to you, our listeners. Our guest next week is a UK drummer, who was depping in West End shows when he was only 12. He was touring Europe with Alan Price of The Animals when he was just 18, and he has performed on pop recordings with the likes of John Farnham, Five Star, and Boy Meets Girl, before he joined Chris Barber's Jazz and Blues Band. But he's best known for his hard hitting, high energy rock drumming, and he's been the drummer with the legendary British rock band Uriah Heep since 2007. If you'd like to find out more, you're gonna have to join us then. Take care