Emma Rugg is a singer songwriter from the UK, her debut album 'Isolated Impression' was financed by busking for six months on the streets of her hometown, and was released to national critical acclaim, currently a second album is being written and is due for release in 2005.
The music combines acoustic guitar with heartfelt lyrics. The emotional and atmospheric instrumentally cut back songs which dominated the first release are evident in the second album but the sound is developing and changing year to year becoming more cross genre in style and progression.
(See interview)
-'ISOLATED IMPRESSION' - UK FUSIONS TOP TEN RECOMMENDED ALBUM #9
-THE MOST REQUESTED SOLO ARTIST ON BBC RAW TALENT RADIO
-EDITORS PICK - SMOTHER
"You've obviously come from the school of hard knocks, busking on the street which takes a lot of bravery so if you can do that, you can do anything." - Warner Music
"Emma Rugg will be a household name in the next five years. " - Yorkshire Post, 2001
"Honest and affecting, and one of the finest releases I have heard in some time, I urge you to get a copy now." - Zeitgeist
"I dare say you’ll be addicted by tune two." - J. Sin, Smother
"Emma's got a wonderfully distinctive voice that would hold you in thrall if she was reciting a telephone directory." - Musical Discoveries
"A truly mesmerising debut album that expresses an enormous amount of emotion and passion." - UK Fusion
"Laid back vibes, lovely stuff" - Glamour Magazine
"Pure, 'Isolated Impression' is. Simple it is most certainly not." - Steve Rudd, Kidjuxta
Busking on the street takes guts, especially when the decision entails standing outside for six months to raise enough money to record an album. Fairview Studios then recorded the material and Emma Rugg released the self-penned debut album 'Isolated Impression'.
Bringing together a mixture of emotionally drenched acoustic songs 'Isolated Impression' is the first in a long line of releases yet to recorded by Rugg. Keen to stress that she is not solely acoustic, Emma is diversifying and developing her sound all the time. "Isolated Impression is an acoustic based album, the songs on that release when I look back are now in there with some of my favourites but that isn't to say that I just stick to writing lighter material, I write all sorts of music, it isn't specific to any sort of individual genre."
Emma taught herself to play guitar in 1998, appearing frequently at musicians nights, she became the vocalist of a band, playing over 250 gigs as she took her GCSEs whilst performing every night at sixteen. She also sang and played trumpet in a ska band before going solo. Emma has appeared on national TV and Regional BBC news and has does various live sessions for BBC Radio.
On July 1st 2003, US musician Henry Doss was listening to the BBC Raw Talent radio show which streams live on the web. Henry and Emma first made contact via email and soon a massive idea developed. Henry heard one of Emma's tracks and wanted to collaborate with her on his next release. The two spoke for the first time on air on the BBC. Henry arranged for Emma to be flown to Michigan on Independence Day to record vocals on two tracks to be released in the USA. Previews of the tracks were aired in a live session on NPR in America. She continued with interviews for radio and press three hours after she had arrived back home to promote 'Isolated Impression' and the collaboration.
In an event organised by MI5 Recordings, The BanJo Radio Group and The Vines Restauraunt, Emma went to perform at James Gandolfinis' 'Vines Restaurant' in Oneonta, New York on October 4th and returned to the UK to support The Bluetones.
In what looks set to be another productive year, Emma Rugg is currently working on new material for recordings to be released throughout 2004. Plans for new videos are being made and a new collaboration with Henry Doss will shortly be underway. if last year is anything to go by then you can expect to hear and see more of Emma Rugg.
Playing live is always cool, getting to know the people who listen to my music is important, I have played in various venues in the UK and the USA and continue to do so.
I have a tendency to break guitar strings mid performance, always unexpected it is always the most memorable part of playing live because things have to change quickly around a string not being there anymore !
This doesn't happen all the time but when it does it gives me a chance to sing something a bit different.
living, breathing, looking out of the window and seeing something different, feelings, situations, life, buildings, people, strange occurences.....................................................
Taylor Guitars
Elixir Strings
Other related websites -
The Official Emma Rugg Forum
http://pub84.ezboard.com/btheofficialemmaruggforum
Emma Rugg Fansite
http://www.thefotoalbum.com
