EMMO-tional stuff
It’s all happening for young Cork musician EMMO who, having just been under the bright lights of BBC, is about to release his brand new single.
Last Saturday EMMO, whose real name is Emmet Crotty, featured on the first episode of BBC1’s new music show ‘I Can See Your Voice’ in front of panellists including Patrick McGuinness, Jimmy Carr and Amanda Holden.
The show sees panellists attempting to guess which contestants can sing and which can’t, based entirely on their appearance.
The Glanmire native and rugby player, who can sing very well it turns out, wowed panellists with renditions of songs by James Morrison and Bruce Springsteen.
“It was filmed in the middle of lockdown. Coming from no gigs at home and barely able to even busk, and then going over and filming under the bright lights of BBC, it was pretty crazy,” EMMO told the Cork Independent.
He said they even brought him for choreography classes so that he could practice how to stand properly, although now he says he’s “back to slouching”.
A long-time fan of comedian Jimmy Carr, EMMO said he was “a bit awestruck” at first but soon found his rhythm.
“Jimmy Carr was always switched on. He was making jokes prior to the show that 100 per cent needed to be cut,” said EMMO.
His appearance on British television has caused a bit of a stir, but the 26 year old insists he is just focused on his craft.
He said: “It's fantastic getting into the UK, but I just want to play music to as many people as possible. In all honesty, I love playing to Irish crowds.”
Having only started playing professionally three years ago, EMMO has decided to completely dedicate himself to music and says it is the only career he is willing to consider.
“It comes with its peaks and pits. I don't want to get distracted from it because it is what I want to do. Right now it's great because it's taking to take off and I'm getting more gigs, but prior to that it would have been pub gigs and weddings. Even if it makes me absolutely broke, I'll be a homeless musician,” he said.
EMMO’s new single ‘Make You Mine’ is released tomorrow, Friday, and is the follow-up to his 2020 debut single ‘Still’.
Recorded during lockdown, EMMO says the song was written after he’d met someone that had reignited the “rush of emotions one gets when they feel love for someone for the first time after a breakup.
“It captures the impulsivity and excitement you feel from a first love but also the wariness and apprehension you have from being 'burnt' before by an old love,” he explained.
In October 2019, EMMO was invited to perform at The German Songwriter Awards in Berlin as the judges' wild card entry.
His song ‘Little Bird’ received critical acclaim from a panel of industry judges, including Universal Music & Sony Music, making it through to the semi-finals.
As a result, EMMO was chosen as an Official Artist and Brand Ambassador for Ovation Guitars.