Today we’d like to introduce you to Emmi.
Hi Emmi, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in a musical household and began dancing and singing at a very young age while my mom accompanied me on the guitar. We had a piano in the house, which fascinated me, so I begged my mom for piano lessons. I started those at age 5 and wrote my first song at 6. I continued to study classical piano and music theory all through high school and into adulthood.
I came to San Diego when I started college at UCSD in 2006, and I fell in love with the city. Although I did not officially study music during college (I majored in Psychology and minored in ballet and Spanish literature), I continued writing songs and began to rely heavily on music as a way to express myself and cope with any challenges I faced. I wrote both songs with lyrics as well as original piano compositions, and in 2013 I released my first LP of 10 of my piano pieces (“Soul Secrets”). Then in 2014 I recorded my first vocal album (“In My Own Space”), which is rock mixed with piano, heavily inspired by the band Evanescence. I have since been performing at various venues, from restaurants to farmers’ markets to stages, and I love being able to share my music with others.
In 2020 I submitted a piano composition of mine to a state contest put on by the Music Teacher’s Association of California and won 3rd place. That year I also began performing at livestreams online and have built a growing, loyal fanbase through social media and Patreon. Then in 2023, I released an LP entitled, “I’m Still Here,” which consists of 7 new original vocal songs of mine. Songs from this album have been featured on a podcasts and in multiple music blogs.
Recently, I was signed with the talent agency Blinding Talent, and I am working with them to formulate a release plan for my 4 new songs, which I’m very excited about. We are also focusing on playing live at more venues in San Diego, LA, and Bakersfield.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but I’ve learned to find strength in the struggle. I’ve had to deal with health issues my entire life — I was born critically ill and unable to breathe so I spent my first three months in the NICU at Children’s Hospital in Denver on a ventilator. The doctors didn’t think I would survive, but somehow I did. That resilience has followed me ever since.
Growing up, I faced asthma, chronic pain, and a slight hearing loss (all resulting from my medical problems at birth), and more recently, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Last year I had multiple surgeries and chemotherapy, which was very difficult, but I am so glad to be cancer free now!
Beyond the physical challenges, I’ve also had to endure trauma and the mental health battles that come with it. There were times I felt completely broken, but music became the one place I could turn that suffering into something meaningful. It helped me process, heal, and connect with others who have felt the same way.
Those experiences shaped me into the artist I am today. My songs are about transformation — about finding hope in the darkness and beauty in survival. I’ve learned that strength isn’t about never falling; it’s about rising again and again, and seeing your scars as proof that you’re still here.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My music blends cinematic piano, powerful rock elements, and emotional storytelling. Since I have a classical piano background, I love weaving in rich chords, unexpected modulations, and layered arrangements that make each song feel like a journey rather than a formula.
I’m drawn to writing about resilience and renewal — turning raw emotion into something that feels both vulnerable and hopeful. My lyrics tackle things most people are afraid to talk about — pain, trauma, mental health — but I strive to do it in a way that’s empowering and healing. I want my songs to remind people that they’re not alone, and that beauty and perseverance can come from even the hardest moments.
What sets me apart is that my music isn’t afraid to go deep — both musically and emotionally. I combine intricate piano work with modern rock intensity and a cinematic atmosphere to create songs that resonate on multiple levels. My upcoming releases each explore a different side of that story — from fighting to be heard to embracing yourself as you are, flaws and all.
Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
One of them was actually my first piano lesson. I went to a private school in Colorado, and the music teacher there taught individual lessons. Starting from Kindergarten, I got to leave class for 30 minutes to go to my lesson. I was so excited to get started that I remember the first 2 songs I learned that day. I couldn’t believe I was already reading music and playing whole songs (they were very short of course) and was so happy to finally be learning to play an instrument that I had admired for as long as I could remember. That year I had my first recital, and my grandmother sewed me a darling pink frilly dress that I wore with pride. I loved dressing up and being on stage, and I had a blast performing and couldn’t wait to do it again. From then on I not only performed at school, but I also sang and played piano in my church, which I loved too.
Pricing:
- For booking and pricing, please contact my manager Katey Brooks at Blinding Talent katey@blindingtalent.com
Contact Info:
- Website: https://emmidrennan.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emmidrennan/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emmiannedrennan/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmi-drennan-music/
- Twitter: https://x.com/emmidrennan
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/c/EmmiDrennan
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/emmidrennan
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6UwQ5NScVJqgDPrtF7r9DG?si=8qvN9Lv6THuUZY46ohi53g
Image Credits
All photos – Natalya Michelle
