Podcast Summary: All Of It with Alison Stewart

Episode: Emily King – 'Special Occasion' (Grammy Listening Party)

Original Air Date: January 5, 2024
Guest: Emily King (Singer-songwriter)
Host: Alison Stewart

Overview

In this episode, Alison Stewart hosts a Grammy listening party with Emily King to discuss her album Special Occasion, which is nominated for four Grammy Awards, including Best R&B Album and Best R&B Song. The conversation delves into Emily’s songwriting process, the personal journey that shaped the album, and her experiences working through heartbreak and creative transition. The episode features song clips and candid reflection, all unfolding in King’s signature open and thoughtful style.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Story Behind "This Year" and Album Introduction

• [02:40] Emily and Alison open with the album’s first track, "This Year."
• Emily reveals the song embodies her search for self after a breakup and attempts at new love:
  • "I was finding my way out of a relationship and into what I thought was a new relationship, which didn’t pan out...come New Year’s Eve, there I was alone and everyone was thinking they had such a great year. And I thought, well, I could have done better with mine." (03:10, Emily King)
• The lyric about buying new jeans is literal—she laughs about still wearing them as she speaks.

2. The Emotional Core of the Album

• [03:34] Emily discusses the period of independence and confusion after the end of a long-term relationship:
  • "It was a symbol of independence, but also confusion. What am I doing with my life?" (04:09, Emily King)
• She shares how speaking about her breakup is both cathartic and daunting:
  • "Well, it’s saving me money on therapy, so thank you...Somehow it’s easier to talk about history and the past than, you know, what’s going on with me now or even dreams for the future." (04:32, Emily King)

3. Grammy Nominations: Reaction and Meaning

• [05:38] Emily recalls finding out about her four Grammy nominations:
  • "I was in the house I bought, so I went from, you know, tears to...I literally jumped up and down, and I was like, whoa. I didn’t expect that reaction from myself, but it was fun just to have a reason to go." (05:44, Emily King)

4. Crafting the Title Track "Special Occasion"

• [06:01] Discussion of vocal style:
  • Emily talks about embracing her "breathy" vocal style and why she’s not a natural belter:
    • "I sort of, at some point in time, realized in the development of my singing that I am not a belting singer...But it's just the tools that I have in my toolbox. And I just love the sound of a breathy voice." (06:08, Emily King)
• She notes a vocal coach pointed out the mechanics (using more air), and reflects humorously on how this shapes her phrasing.

5. Upbringing, Family, and Musical Influence

• [08:57] Growing up in Downtown Manhattan with musician parents:
  • Emily’s parents (jazz vocalists) passed down a love of melody and the American Songbook:
    • "They were singing the American Songbook when I was a child...One of the beautiful things about those songs...a rise...a melody continues in a phrase and the emotion that it has behind it." (09:15, Emily King)
• Emphasizes absorbing songwriting subconsciously.

6. Lessons from a Musical Childhood: Surviving the Industry

• [10:36] On being raised by professional musicians:
  • "I think the best lesson is that you can survive on very little...If you know you can live on very little, then you’re more able to risk having very little to pursue your dream." (10:36, Emily King)
• She contrasts financial and artistic success, noting the lesson of passion over profit.

7. "False Start" and Writing from the Soul

• [12:27] Emily introduces "False Start" and shares her pride in its lyrics and emotional honesty:
  • "This song, I’m most proud of the lyrics...it was a direct line to my soul in that moment." (12:27, Emily King)
• She also praises the song’s ending soundscape, crafted by producer Jeremy Most.

8. Album Artwork and Imagery

• [15:14] Discussion about the special album cover image:
  • The cover—Emily crouched, holding a camera—was chosen because it captured a moment of self-reliance and reflection.
  • "Here I am alone, and I’m gonna just take this selfie. And the special occasion is me in this moment, trying to be okay with just being alone." (15:26, Emily King)
• The photo was a collaborative work with close friend and photographer Shervin Lainez.

9. The Grueling Process of Making the Album

• [16:42] Emily talks about the album’s emotional and creative challenges, from heartbreak to continuing to work with her ex-partner/producer:
  • "People say breakup, but I say transition...I don’t know if you’ve ever worked with someone that you were also a couple with. That was my situation...there was an agreement of finishing this music together. And I don’t know how we got through it, but...many thanks to him, who’s a wonderful producer, Jeremy Most." (16:42, Emily King)

10. Song: "Waterfalls" and the Role of Joy in Music

• [18:00] Emily introduces "Waterfalls" as a feel-good song, written and recorded years earlier, rediscovered while vacuuming:
  • "I was vacuuming, which I do too often...that song came on. I said, this is a feel-good cleaning the house song. Let’s put it on the album." (18:00, Emily King)

11. Solo Touring, Next Steps, and Fans

• [19:43] Emily discusses her recent solo tour (Northeast) and future west coast plans.
• She describes balancing songwriting, rest, and her love for cleaning, with humor:
  • "Yes, I will be cleaning. Cleaning and making messes to clean. I will be...actively writing and trying to get up the courage to kick my own ass." (19:56, Emily King)
• She affectionately refers to her fans as “the Cuties.”

12. A Lighthearted Finale: The Vacuum Question

• [20:46] Listener question about her choice of vacuum cleaner:
  • "Oh, the Miele. Come on, what’s better than that? I’m putting it on my rider. I want it at every show. It’s my favorite. It’s lasted too, like, years. So hit me up." (20:49, Emily King)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Notable Quote & Context | |-----------|--------------|----------------------------------------------------------------| | 03:10 | Emily King | “I was finding my way out of a relationship...come New Year’s Eve, there I was alone...I thought, well, I could have done better with mine.” | | 04:32 | Emily King | “Well, it’s saving me money on therapy, so thank you...Somehow it’s easier to talk about history and the past.” | | 06:08 | Emily King | “I realized...I am not a belting singer...I just love the sound of a breathy voice.” | | 10:36 | Emily King | “You can survive on very little...you’re more able to risk having very little to pursue your dream.” | | 12:27 | Emily King | “This song, I’m most proud of the lyrics...it was a direct line to my soul in that moment.” | | 15:26 | Emily King | “The special occasion is me in this moment, trying to be okay with just being alone.” | | 16:42 | Emily King | “People say breakup, but I say transition...there was an agreement of finishing this music together...many thanks to him, who’s a wonderful producer, Jeremy Most.” | | 18:00 | Emily King | “I was vacuuming...that song came on. I said, this is a feel good cleaning the house song. Let’s put it on the album.” | | 20:49 | Emily King | “Oh, the Miele. Come on, what’s better than that?...It’s my favorite. It’s lasted too, like, years.” |

Key Musical Excerpts & Segment Timestamps

• [01:44] “This Year” (album opening track)
• [07:08] “Special Occasion” (title track, Grammy-nominated)
• [13:14] “False Start” (Grammy-nominated song)
• [18:44] “Waterfalls” (feel-good track discovered mid-cleaning)
• [21:11] “Closer to the Morning” (outro track played)

Conclusion

This engaging episode provides an intimate look at Emily King’s personal and creative evolution during the making of Special Occasion. With candor and humor, she details the emotional landscape behind her art, her embrace of change and independence, and the joy she finds in everyday rituals (and even vacuuming). The conversation, woven together with song clips and stories, gives a vivid portrait of an artist navigating love, heartbreak, and creative rebirth—with a little help from her music, her community, and a very good vacuum.