Emilie Culshaw is a multi-award-winning dark/dream pop artist from Liverpool, UK, known for her emotionally raw storytelling, soul-stirring vocals, and genre-blending sound. Fusing elements of R&B, soul, rock, and blues, her music delivers an intimate yet cinematic experience that resonates deeply with listeners.
Inspired by icons like Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande, Beyoncé, Madison Beer, Olivia Rodrigo, and Taylor Swift, Emilie infuses theatrical energy and emotional depth into every performance. Her distinctive voice, tender yet commanding, anchors lyrics that explore love, vulnerability, personal growth, and inner conflict.
Emilie, your music has this beautiful mix of dark pop, soul, and cinematic energy. How did you find your sound and figure out what really felt like you?
Thank you! Life brings its trials and tribulations, and music has always got me through the tough times. Growing up, going through Different life experiences can bring in new music, a new feeling, a new experience, I would say my sound is a mixture of my life experiences and the music and artists I grew up listening to who I love very much, who inspire me every day.
Your songs often dive deep into love, vulnerability, and personal growth. Do you usually draw from your own experiences when you write, or do you like to tell stories from other perspectives too?
I write about my own personal experiences, my debut single was about my battles of anxiety and self-sabotage growing up, feeling not good enough to take the opportunities, but we have closed the Trapdoor on that haha. The New single Cherry Haze is about that feeling when you meet someone new and you go through that dream faze, or a crush. I do get inspired by other people’s stories. Maybe in the future I could write someone else’s, but for now it’s all my life experiences.
You’ve mentioned being inspired by icons like Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande, and Taylor Swift. What’s something you’ve learned from watching how they express themselves as artists?
I love how they create a world around their music and how passionate they are about their art and what they sing about. I truly believe music is medicine and these artists have shown me that. I write my music to resonate the same way.
Your song “Strong” with Mark Moncrieff really took off—it even won Tune Fountain’s Single of the Year! How did that collaboration come together, and what do you remember most from that moment in your career?
Thank you! Me and producer Mark Moncrieff met via a music networking app. (At this point I only had a few covers online) he sent over a track he was working on and asked if I could write a vocal to it, that’s when I wrote the lyrics to “strong”, it was a pleasure to be featured on it. I remember getting back the final master and being so happy with it, and then the song winning Tune Fountains single of the year was just something I will never forget. Endlessly grateful.
Your next single, “Cherry Haze,” sounds so intriguing—haunting, emotional, and cinematic. What can you tell us about the story behind the song and how it came to life in the studio?
Thank you. The song was written in stages, as I wanted this really explain that feeling of the dreamy stage when you first meet someone, but also to have good memorable lines and melodies in the process. I wrote multiple versions and eventually I came up with Cherry Haze which is about the vulnerable feeling of when you have a crush on someone, I’m sure we have all been there.
I want to give The Hikstr Mixer a shout out on this because he magically mixed the song to perfection, and Royzy Rothschild for executive producing it, they did so well.
“Trapdoor” was your debut single and went all the way to #1 on Brazilian radio—congratulations! What was it like realizing your music was reaching fans around the world?
I was in total shock as this record was my debut, it was and forever will be a dream come true. It means everything to me to hear people connecting with my music all around the world. I have always wanted to go to Brazil, maybe a Brazilian tour coming soon. Big love to Brazil. The support means everything to me. Love every single of you.
You signed with Big Condo Records in September 2024. How has it felt joining their team, and how has that partnership influenced what you’re creating now?
Big Condo Records are amazing, they have done everything for me, I’m so grateful to be part of the team. We work on everything together, most important my creative vision to bring the music and the visuals to life, their belief in me and my art means the world. The experience from headlining shows, to going on tour, recording in studios, the mentorship and alongside them I feel like I can be authentically myself in my music which I love. I Want to give a huge shout out to my manager Royzy Rothschild, we the team.
You’ve performed everywhere from major award events to even inside a boxing ring! That’s amazing. What’s been your most unforgettable live performance so far?
Thank you so much! It’s been an amazing experience; I have loved every second of it all and I’m endlessly grateful for all of these wonderful opportunities. I will remember them all for the rest of my life. One that I will never forget though had to be my debut (sold out!) single launch show for “Trapdoor”. was a very special night for me spent with the best people. I will be performing a single launch show for my new single cherry haze too in Liverpool on the 23rd November, keep an eye out for tickets as they are on sale via skiddle, be there.
You were named both Tune Fountain’s Artist of the Year and the UK’s Top Music Influencer—huge honors. How do moments like that keep you motivated as you keep growing as an artist?
Thank you, the fact these awards were community voted means so much to me, I appreciate everyone who supports me so much, I love my community we have built. Im also forever proud of my in-house team and myself for the hard work that goes on behind the scenes. I feel so grateful for everyone bringing the vision and the music to life.
You’ve got your “Cherry Haze” release party coming up at The Shipping Forecast in Liverpool—what can fans expect from that night? And what’s next for you after this exciting new chapter?
I do! I can’t wait; it’s going to be so special celebrating with everyone. Nothing better than a single release party. I have some amazing support acts that will be performing on the night that I am one by one announcing over on my Instagram (@emilieculshaw) this night marks the start of a new chapter. A new era. Tickets will be available very soon via skiddle uk. For all updates and news follow me on my social media my username is @emilieculshaw on all platforms!
http://www.instagram.com/emilieculshaw
http://www.tiktok.com/emilieculshaw
http://www.x.com/emilieculshaw
http://www.facebook.com/emilieculshaw
http://www.youtube.com/emilieculshaw
