Emma King Talks New Album, Musical Influences And More

Jul 17, 2025 | Interviews

Words by Glenn Sargeant

Feature Image Photo Credit: Supplied By Republic Media

Country singer-songwriter Emma King has announced the release of her fourth album Pocketful Of Sun on 22nd August 2025. She chatted to us about the album, her musical influences and more:

What is your earliest musical memory?

My earliest memory is listening to my mum singing around the house – she has the most unique and beautiful voice. My earliest introduction to country music was age 8 or 9 when I crept downstairs late at night to turn on the television to find the CMA awards and Alan Jackson doing his thang on the guitar. I had never heard anything like it…I was hooked.

When did you begin songwriting?

I’d always loved music from being small. We had an old piano that all the siblings would take turns on, but my passion grew and I think I tried every instrument going. My parents endured recorder, violin, bass drum parades and out-of-tune guitars most days. But singing stuck. It’s what I loved the most and it gave me the most freedom and ability to express what I wanted to say. I would always write songs from being very young; I would construct little melodies on the way to school or write in old music books. I think it was always a natural progression rather than a set period of life. I have verses on old Dictaphones and tapes which I would love to dig out one day. I loved creating new melodies.

You will release your fourth album Pocketful Of Sun on 22nd August 2025. How did you want to approach the making of the album?

The approach to this album was very different to my previous albums. We didn’t have a blocked-out period that we spent in a studio to perfect everything or have the space to experiment as much as previous albums. To explain, I’m a mother and a full-time carer to my daughter who is Autistic and non-verbal. I had to find the balance and work within her routine in order to complete the album. It wasn’t just our time scale that mattered but hers. We recorded at Chairworks Studio in Castleford (taking my daughter with me) but the vocals could not be done that way… I’m not sure the engineer would have appreciated both me and my daughter in the vocal booth! So instead it was night sessions when my daughter would fall asleep (and when I was at my most exhausted). finding the inner strength and love to give everything I had left to pour my heart out into songs that really mattered. This is was the hardest album to create but also the most important. In her silence I was at my loudest and shouting loudly for us both.

Where did you record the album and who produced it?

I wrote and produced the album with Ritch Spence and we recorded parts at Chairworks Studio in Castleford with our friend and engineer David Watts. He knows us well and understands our life which made the sessions much easier and he was happy to have Eloise along for the ride. We were also lucky to have our amazing friend Tony Morra play some drums for us in Downtown Batterie studio in Franklin, Tennessee. You can’t beat a bit of that American spirit, and playing with people who inspire and elevate your music – he’s the most tuneful drummer I know. We also mastered at Abbey Road with Sean Magee. We have the best time-sharing stories and our albums never feel complete until he’s worked his magic. All the vocal recording was done in the home studio, at night… we have amazing neighbours 😉

Who were the musicians who performed on the album with you?

We were lucky to play with so many friends on this album which made it more relaxed… We had Matt Lunn an old friend of Ritch’s to play some awesome drums for us in the studio – he had just come off tour with Placebo so that was cracking timing!

Our old bass player Toby Schwietering, who I love dearly, was able to provide some beautiful bass. Now Toby was in my very first band ‘Emma King and The Heartsets’ which had an amazing American adventure, so we love keeping our musical connection whenever we can.

We had a family friend Graham Ward on guitar, who is a wonderful old pro, who is just internally groovy… and he has the best stories from the 70’s!

Tony Morra, our spiritual musical brother from America, played drums on some of the tracks – he always brings the epic sound we love.

We also had chance to invite some new friends to play. Reggie Duncan on pedal Steel and Chris Heron on violin. We then added some extra much needed magic from Daniel and Lizzie Watson, two incredibly talented and kind individuals who played Bouzouki and Violin. What a combo! Of course, Ritch Spence is the glue and magic behind the songs. He gives everything and more from guitars, bass, organ… but most importantly, piano. He’s the most unique, flowing and beautiful player I know.

Did you use any particular instruments, microphones, recording equipment to help you get a particular sound/tone for the record?

I’m pretty sure this is Ritch Spence’s dream question! ; ) We love analogue gear and in particular the Neve sound. We use Neve pre-amps for tracking, and the RND 5059 summing mixer to get that big, clear and open sound to the mix. We’re big fans of analogue compression and like both the UA 6176 hardware and also the most of the plugins by Universal Audio. We’ve been using Pro Tools (DAW) to record and mix for so long that it is the central point of our studio and songwriting. And even though it’s tempting not to…we still put the time and effort into recording live drums on each and every track! The favourite microphone in our collection is a vintage Neumann KM84 which is perfect for acoustic instruments.

Which of your new album tracks hear you at your a) happiest, b) angriest and c) most reflective?

Happiest is Smiling Next To You, it’s about going on adventures with that person who you know full well is going to get you into some kind of trouble… your head says “absolutely not…tell them you’re busy”, but your heart is already sitting in the car. I think we all have that friend… or maybe we are the friend! It just makes me smile.

The angriest is track 3 Better Than It Was. it’s a song about a broken system for our children especially those with additional needs. The court cases, the lack of services, when all we want for our children is to lead a safe and happy life… that shouldn’t be something you have to fight for but sadly it is the case.

The most reflective is Best Of Our Days. This is a 90’s open diary and a real reminder of what it felt like growing up in that decade and how different life was. Its full of nostalgia so that song is the most reflective as it’s a time I often think back on with happy memories.

You have also released the title track single. What was the story/inspiration behind the track?

Pocketful Of Sun is inspired by our daughter Eloise. We wanted to create an infectious song for the summer that can bring a few minutes of happiness. A song to spread joy. The saying ‘everything is better when the sun shines’ we wanted to capture that phrase in a song.

The single is accompanied by an official music video. What was the thought process behind the video and who directed it?

We knew straight away that sunflowers would be featured in the video quite heavily that is a direct and intentional link to the disability sunflower logo which represents hidden disabilities. Our good friends at Thie Green Moon (a natural forestry retreat) kindly let us have full run of the land to be able to take our time to capture what we needed.

Did you work with anyone else in terms of the songwriting?

Ritch and I always write and produce together. We have been making music for almost 20 years and he is a huge part of the sound and spirit of the tracks.

Was it a difficult album to write?

It was difficult in terms of time & routines. Having a child on the spectrum means plans will often change or halt and that can make things a little more challenging and less spontaneous. Then in other ways, there’s so much that has changed in life and I’m now the voice of another small human so in terms of subject matters and writing what is internally true and right I feel as though there’s a lot to say at the moment too. It was a beautiful battle to reach the end and finish the final songs but also fitting as the way this album was crafted is also a representation of real life for me and I feel that’s an authentic way to have created it.

Who designed the album artwork?

I have always loved designing and it’s something I use to do a lot as a hobby growing up (along with photography) it was always a great way to switch off. This is my most personal album and it was nice to carry forward that creativity and incorporate doodles, personal photos and hidden messages. I had one day to create it and there’s a lot to get your teeth into and find. Hopefully it bursts with sunshine and happiness when you open it.

Where is your hometown and could you please describe it in five words?

Industrial, diverse, cultural, art, no-nonsense… Chip Spice (I know that’s 6 but I had to get chip spice in there!). There’s a song for my hometown on my new album called ‘Guess it Was Ours’. I often feel that people have a preconception of what Hull is and what it’s like to live there. It only takes a day to fall in love with Hull when you see how fierce and passionate the people are. Hull gave me a great work ethic and attitude to life. I would often liken it to Tennessee there are a lot of similarities which is probably why I felt so at home there too.

How do you look after your voice?

I do take care of my voice especially before shows. I am also a huge fan of my Dr Nelson steamer which is the most vintage item I will ever own! I will steam twice a day leading up to a show. Lots of water throughout. I try not to eat right before a show (though I do make up for it when I’m done!) and I have some funny warm up songs for the car… I might share those one day! I constantly work on my diaphragm every day without even thinking.

Do you have any live dates planned in the UK/Europe in 2025/2026?

We have some shows coming up in October which I am very excited about! I love playing live I don’t think there’s a feeling like it. We are playing some exciting venues who really champion live music and new bands which is incredibly important. We have some more show announcements coming shortly!

Who is in your touring band and what do they play?

On piano & electric we have Ritch Spence. David Hobson on the drums, Benn Cordrey on bass, I play guitar too, Lizzie and Dan play violin and guitars. They also have the most angelic voices too so if you love a good 4-part harmony this show is for you!

What two things do you hope to have achieved once you have left the stage?

I hope people feel uplifted, leave with a smile on their face and have moments that they feel completely lost in the music. I talk a little about my daughter so even if one person thinks about their own life, job or family situation with a thought for the world of an Autistic person and to understand

Do you have any favoured stage instruments, effects, pedals, microphones etc?

I love Sennheiser microphones (I love a Neumann U47 in the studio). My favourite guitar in the world is my Gibson Keb’ Mo, it’s a parlour guitar so it’s much easier/smaller for me to play. I also prefer to sing barefoot I always have makes me feel more grounded.

You are given the opportunity to write the score for a film adaptation of a novel that you enjoy. Which novel is it and why?

Good question, I think it would have to be His Dark Materials by Phillip Pullman, something epic, yet beautiful and inspiring. His writing holds so many dimensions, it’s dark, yet mystical and hopeful. It’s a series you read and never forget so to be able to create a piece of music that held the dynamics and a chance to incorporate strings and potentially other voices would be wonderful.

Who are some of your musical influences? Do you have any recommendations?

I love Annie Lennox, Jewel, Jonny Cash, Alisson Krauss, The Chicks, Seth Lakeman, Elvis, Jeff Buckley… I am really enjoying Yungblud’s new album at the moment, I love some nostalgia playbacks from the 90’s too!

What makes Emma King happy and what makes you unhappy?

My happy place would be on a stage whether that be a porch, a hall, an arena or listening room. Getting lost in a song is my happiest place and making others happy I only for a few minutes. What makes me unhappy… witnessing and enduring a broken system for disabled children and adults. We need to do so much more especially when it comes to the education system for these beautiful children.