Italian musician and model Emma Danelon works and lives in London where she works with a team who help to aid her path within the industry. Emma has most recently performed at the O2 Islington and released her single named ‘The One That Got Away’. In terms of modelling, Emma intertwines her two practices in order to fully express herself. Modelling gives Emma a way to visually represent her creativity in London where a more diverse model type is accepted and celebrated. Emma speaks to Coeval about her career and exciting new projects that she has coming up in the future.

You are originally from Italy but are now based in London - what influenced you to move to the UK and how has your creative career developed since moving there?

I fell in love with London when I travelled abroad for the first time and I was six. It’s a fast-paced city, it’s exciting, it’s full of creative opportunities. These are the main reason why I moved there. I connected with my team in London and I have created a solid music direction. I did a lot by myself before, because I didn’t have money for doing it differently, until I met my team. They allowed me to express and develop my artistry and they helped me grow as a person other than an artist. Career-wise, I was lucky to perform in great venues such as O2 Islington just before lockdown. In addition to that, one of my songs got in Music week’s charts and few others magazines in the UK. I never saw an Italian female artist in those magazines before. I am happy with what I’m achieving day by day. Let’s see what’s next.

What kickstarted you in terms of getting into the music industry?

I would say I was ‘discovered’ by a manager during an event in a bar. It was pretty random, someone asked if anyone wanted to improvise original material and perform acapella so I stood up and did it. From that day, I met so many interesting people in the industry and came across different creatives who I still work with.

Most recently you have released the single ‘The One That Got Away’, how has this track been received by your audience?

So far the best feedback I have had until now and the streams are growing so fast. I can’t believe it. It really means a lot for an independent artist.

Can you talk us through your personal process when creating new music?

Mmh it really does depend on the situation, I tend to mumble words and create a melody first, then the story follows. I care about words as much as I care about melodies. I really do focus on both sides. I do want people to hear some introspective work, not only some catchy rhythms.

Have you collaborated with other creative’s?
I did collaborate with an up and coming rapper 2 years ago, his name is Renzo and he is very talented. I also have few projects on the pipeline.

You also work as model, how do you harmonise your musical and modelling work and how do they differ?

I see modelling as a visual way of self-expression and I could say music is self-expression as well. Even if I believe I’m a musician more than a model, I’m getting passionate about modelling as I grow as a person. I love it and I love how much the modelling industry is open to different body images and ideas in London, compared to the industry that I knew back home when I was younger. I think it’s easy to combine music with modelling when it comes to personal projects. I sometimes use some of my pictures as artworks for my songs. I think as long as music and visuals please two different senses they create a whole beautiful project when they are combined. I do love the creative fashion side of this environment because I love experimenting and discovering different aesthetics. I think music and modelling look alike on different levels, even though I believe the music industry tends to be more open, relatable and it reaches a wider audience (which is why I like it more). The fashion industry tends to refer a lot to Eurocentric standards, however I am finally starting to see a change.

What do you have pending for the future?

I could talk for hours about this. I am planning to release a whole EP this year which will be a very exhaustive description of my music direction. This EP also includes my first Italian songs and other music videos. I can’t wait! I have planned few other artistic projects whilst I am trying to live in between two cities, but we’ll see that later.