Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Emme Lentino

Music has the ability to heal the world. That’s exactly what it’s done for rising singer-songwriter Emme Lentino and what she’s done throughout her career. The multifaceted artist has always used her art to spread positivity and to offer an escape for anyone who needs it, which is evident in her new single, “Oceanside”.

Pop Culturalist caught up with Emme to chat about her career, “Oceanside”, and what’s ahead for her in 2021.

PC: How did you discover your passion for music?
Emme: I started doing music when I was a little girl. It was when I was around two years old. I was always singing and dancing everywhere. My mom and dad always had music playing in the house—I’m very thankful for that. It was then that I discovered that I loved to act as well.

I was a dramatic child, and I was always dressing up. Early on, my parents were like, “Okay, she loves to perform.” Wizard of Oz has always been my all-time favorite movie—the imagination that was in the storytelling and, of course, Judy Garland. My passion developed over time, but certainly, in the early stages of my life, it was pretty evident.

I started singing at church and writing music when I was ten after going through a really hard time losing my cousin to a tragedy. That’s when I realized how healing music can be, and not only for the person creating it, but also for the person listening to it. I’m happy that I was able to learn that early on.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Emme: That’s a great question. It’s hard to say who has had the biggest influence; it’s been a combination of people. Dolly Parton is always someone that I’ve looked up to. Her talent speaks for itself, but she’s also a beautiful person. She’s always giving. She’s really into her community and taking care of others. That’s something that I really respect and admire. I try to do that in my own life.

With acting, probably Reese Witherspoon has had the biggest influence. She started out really young and has continued to be amazing and her own boss. I really admire that she’s a bright, strong woman. I feel like she’s a great example of what you can become. She’s certainly been able to speak her mind and make wise choices. I also really admire that she’s using her platform to help other people.

Also, comedians. As a kid, I would watch all the sketches on Saturday Night Live. I loved the way that they took things happening in the world—heavy subject matters—and are able to make them lighthearted. Being able to laugh is one of the healthiest things. That influenced me into my adulthood and being able to use humor as a way to talk about things and to get people to not necessarily concentrate on the pain, but actually to laugh about things. I try to incorporate humor in my life as much as possible. In fact, sometimes my best friend, Austin, who doesn’t live in New Zealand, but he’s my bestie from childhood, we’ll call each other and have laugh fests. We don’t necessarily say hello or anything, we just start laughing. It’s quite long and funny.

PC: In addition to being a singer-songwriter, you’re also an actress. How has the craft of acting made you a stronger musician and vice versa?
Emme: The story behind any character is so important to be told. When I get into a character, I try to get into the mindset of that person. It’s the same with songwriting. For me, my craft as a performer in singing and in songwriting has gotten stronger with my background in acting. That willingness to be completely vulnerable—which, of course, you have to do when you take on the task of being someone else—has helped me be more vulnerable when I’m connecting with my audiences when I’m singing and tapping into all those different emotions and not being afraid of the colorful ways that we can express ourselves.

PC: You’re also a mother. If your kids wanted to follow in your footsteps, what advice would you give them?
Emme: That’s a great question. Thank you for asking that, because I’ve been asking that to myself, too. [laughs] They’re beautiful little girls and they’re very dramatic. They’re singing, dancing, and acting. Their little voices actually appear in “Oceanside”, a song that I just released. They’re very proud of that and tell everyone, which is really cute. I would tell them to continue to build their self-esteem and self-identity away from the craft of acting or music. I say that because it’s one thing that I have had to discover later on in my life. I would really emphasize how important it is to have self-love, respect yourself, and set boundaries.

I want to help guide them and be someone that can be a sounding board for things that they want to talk about. This is a safe place. As their mother, I always want to keep them safe—that might mean that some of their choices I won’t agree with, but I want them to be able to talk to me. This is a safe place to confide and chat and work through things. That’s really important. Then, I would tell them that other people can’t define who you believe you are, because everyone will have an opinion. That’s what makes this world so amazing.

There are so many different people around the world, and everyone has their perspective and their point of view, and that’s okay, but it doesn’t have to be yours. I want to encourage them to stand firm and know who they are. Take everything with a grain of salt. There are going to be lots of people who have lots of opinions, but that shouldn’t change who they believe they are. Also, have fun and enjoy the ride. Life is an adventure, and we never know what’s around the corner, which is part of the excitement.

PC: Tell us about your new single, “Oceanside”. What inspired it?
Emme: It was definitely inspired by the pandemic. 2020 was an interesting year, to say the least. All of us were facing challenges head-on: we were separated from friends and family, work was different, we had to diversify our skills to be able to make things work. I started thinking about the one thing that I’d like everyone to have right now, and that’s peace. Then, I thought about where I get my peace from, and it’s definitely my faith. Then, it’s the ocean. The sea has always been a place of great comfort for myself and the people I know.

I worked with Greg Cortez, who’s located in LA. He’s an amazing producer and songwriter. We worked together over Zoom. I got out my guitar and clumsily played a few lines of this melody that I had in my head. We started writing about this place—this place that’s easy, breezy, and where life was a lot less complicated. I hope the song captures the essence of easier times. That’s why the chorus lifts so much; it’s that nostalgic feeling that we all hold onto, especially during hard times. It’s an encouraging message that life is going to be okay. We’re going to get better. We’re going to get through it. Then in the bridge, that’s where the little girls’ voices are heard playing on the beach. That was a special thing that Greg surprised me with.

I didn’t know that he was going to use those clips. I didn’t even know why he was asking for them. He asked me for sounds that made me happy. I gave him seagulls, the ocean, my kids playing at the beach. He embedded them into the bridge as a surprise. That was super cool. Shout out to Greg for his creativity, and also Dan Antonovich, who also co-produced the track—the three of us all worked via Zoom. It was a great experience during a difficult year for everyone.

PC: You’ve been releasing music steadily throughout the years. If you had to pick one song that best encompasses who you are as an artist, which would it be and why?
Emme: Wow. That’s such a great question. That’s so hard—thanks a lot. [laughs] If I had to choose an anthem of what I’d want people to remember me by, it would be “Seasons of Life”. I wrote that during a very, very painful time in my life. I lost my husband to cancer at a young age in 2016. I started writing that song when he was terminal. The reason why it’s a song that’s so important to me and to other people is that it’s a message of hope. I really believe that music is healing. I believe that we all go through really, really difficult times in our lives. We face tragedy and adversity, but it really is up to us and how we react to those things.

Are we going to let it completely break us or are we going to rise above it and be stronger? That song helped me get through a really, really difficult time when I didn’t think I was going to make it through. The chorus, especially, is really encouraging. I want everyone that hears the song to really believe and know that they’re loved, and they will get through that hard time.

PC: As we look ahead to the rest of 2021, what does the year hold for you?
Emme: Fans can expect that I will be bringing new music out—I’m really excited about that. I also have some brand new projects in TV and film. Additionally, I have a web series called Isolation—I’m an executive producer on that. I’m also keeping active with all the charity stuff that I do. I’ve teamed up with Lefty Williams of the Harlem Globetrotters, who’s got an amazing organization called Dare to Dream.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Emme: Radiohead.

PC: First album you bought?
Emme: Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.

PC: First concert you attended?
Emme: MC Hammer.

PC: An album that changed your life and why?
Emme: Probably Dido’s Angel or Dido’s Thank You album. Her album helped me get through a painful breakup. I had her songs on repeat over and over again to the point where the upstairs neighbor came down and was like, “I don’t want to be rude, but could you stop playing that album? You’ve been playing it for a week and a half. We need a break.” I was like, “Oh, yes. So sorry.” It makes me giggle to this day. Thank you, Dido. Shout out to you.

PC: A venue on your bucket list to perform at?
Emme: Madison Square Garden.

PC: A must-have on the road?
Emme: It would definitely be my guitar. Her name is Tilly and she’s a little Baby Taylor. Also, a good old notebook and a pen for songwriting.

To keep up with Emme, follow her on Twitter, Instagram, and Spotify.

Photo Credit: Suzanne Teresa LA